Paul: His Life and His Teachings The Hardship Catalogue (Continuation)
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No.28 Paul: His Life and Teachings - The Hardship Catalogue (Part 3)
No.29 Paul: His Life and Teachings - The Hardship Catalogue (Part 4)
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overview
Previously, we dealt with several hardship passages of Paul and made immediate application by looking into God’s acts of grace and love that brings faith and confidence to believers as they face various kinds of sufferings because of their faith in Jesus Christ. In expounding on God’s love, we ended up with how God made possible the sending of apostles who will minister to the suffering believers but are themselves being referred to as like sheep, waiting to be slaughtered. After the last point, it is just proper to explain some ministerial/leadership hardship. Let us start with 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, which deals with the sufferings awaiting a minister. To be called by God is very humbling and is a great honor, in fact, the greatest honor of all. We need to have a proper view of our call so as not to be laden with pride and get our ego bubble busted. Notice that, ministers from the perspective of Paul are not supposed to live like kings. They are very far from living like kings, at least based on Paul’s personal view and experience. Not all preachers can make this kind of claim, especially those who refuse to live and teach for God and teach God’s Word.
“God has exhibited” - a phrase which alludes to the context of first-century public spectacle such as a display in the arena. This is a gladiatorial language because they were condemned to death by fighting fellow gladiators or with wild animals. The other picture that this brings is a triumphal procession, wherein a Roman General is given a victor’s procession, and at the end are the apostles as captives “condemned to die in public.” This is a display to distinguish that one is favored more than the others. Such display is a spectacle not just to men but also to angels – that is evil men and fallen angels. They watch in triumph as people like Paul are sent to the arena to die. Fallen angels are believed to watch these men still clothed in flesh, struggles against principalities and powers. The very act of dying in the arena is still part of the spiritual warfare going on. Think about it! As Christians struggle against evil, right vs. wrong, we can observe who is winning is who is losing. In ancient times, it has been said that these nominated people who will fight till they are dead are being given to the arena twice a day.
Some of the sources of hardships in ministerial leadership could be presented with three contrasts. They all sound sarcastic and they reflect the attitudes that the members are developing. These are also antithesis. First is in the area of teaching on which Paul wrote, we are fools for Christ’s sake, but you prudent in Christ. As Paul continues to be faithful to the truth, he was being reckoned as a fool, while those who compromise the truth are deemed “wise.” (Cf. Acts 26:24). Second is in the area of demeanor, wherein Paul wrote - We are weak, but you are strong! Like a soldier, Paul is “light-armed” or scantily clothed. There is no way he can win. He doesn’t have the armor of strength. He doesn’t have the political support. He doesn’t have the ecclesiastical backing. Not the Corinthians though! They have learned the art of compromise. Thirdly is in the area of worldly position - distinguished, but we are without honor! This is referring to worldly honor. To be despised by the world is to be honored by God. To be honored by God is to get the disdain of the world.
Paul further describes his present hardship, saying: We are both hungry and thirsty. We are poorly clothed. We are roughly treated. We are homeless. We toil, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we rest. When we are persecuted, we endure. When we are slandered, we try to conciliate. We have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things. Now, the proper attitude and approach towards hardships for the sake of Jesus is described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:1-18. Some when they are placed under pressure, will choose the way of compromise. The Bible calls this the way of the wicked. Paul, in contrast, decided to do the right thing. First is that Paul did not lose heart. This means not to give in to evil, or not get discouraged or do not let your heart melt in fear or to show fear. Cowards don’t belong to the ministry. One of the ways that we can express this is by “not throwing in the towel.” Being a coward is a sub-Christian attitude. The Holy Spirit comes in love, power, self-discipline, and not timidity. Then we are to keep preaching the Gospel – not veiling it, but putting it out in the open. We are to preach Christ with an attitude of a faithful servant who will truly proclaim who Jesus is. Praise be to God!