The sufferings of Paul

[Isaiah]

Before his dramatic conversion, the apostle Paul was an aggressive and brutal man. Being a fanatical Pharisee, he was an enemy of Christians and persecuted them without pause. “Saul (Paul) was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord and gladly consented to the death of Stephen” (Acts 9:1). Yet God, in His mercy, began unfolding a plan that was to bring Paul to Christ and then turn him into a dynamic, unstoppable force for the spreading of the Gospel around the Roman Empire.

But God also had in store a long series of trials and tribulations that were to make his Christian experience an enormously difficult and challenging one.

What if God had not added all the many trials to Paul’s Christian experience? What if He had simply helped him carry his gospel responsibilities without having to also bear all the suffering he also had to endure? Would that not have been fairer? Would that not have made it easier for him to perform his evangelistic duties? Would he have recieved as much dear revelation he had attained?

[Jermyn Davidson]

but Paul never felt tricked by God.

[Baron1710]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

but Paul never felt tricked by God.

????

I guess I don't see what your response had to do with the question.

Maybe Paul was stubborn and needed more trials, maybe he was tougher and could handle them better, maybe he brought it on himself because he was confrontational.

[SteppingStone]

Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

All the Apostles suffered tremendously with maybe the only exception being John and I say that loosely in regards to John.

Part of reigning with Christ is suffering in/with Christ.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If you look up the word, "Trouble/d" in your concordance you will find that all the churches underwent persecution, tribulation, and trouble. All of which suffered in Christ..

In regards to Paul he was determined to right his wrongs and convince his kinsmen otherwise.

Romans 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

He took severe beatings and still sneaked back into those cities after his recovery.

Some scholars "Speculate" that Paul was the rich young ruler who Christ told to sell all that he had and follow him, yet he went away very sorrowful. Luke 18:18-27
It's interesting to say the least because when Christ appears to him and says it's hard to kick against the pricks, it's almost as if they have been there before.

There are just so many pieces to the puzzle we don't have. If I ever become a Billionaire I'm going to hire 7 Navy Seals to sneak into the Vatican and make copies of all the originals that they have hidden in there..

[Isaiah]

Originally Posted by SteppingStone

Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Part of reigning with Christ is suffering in/with Christ.

Some scholars "Speculate" that Paul was the rich young ruler who Christ told to sell all that he had and follow him, yet he went away very sorrowful. Luke 18:18-27
It's interesting to say the least because when Christ appears to him and says it's hard to kick against the pricks, it's almost as if they have been there before.

There are just so many pieces to the puzzle we don't have. If I ever become a Billionaire I'm going to hire 7 Navy Seals to sneak into the Vatican and make copies of all the originals that they have hidden in there..

I would absolutely agree with your account stepping stone, much of reigning with Christ is suffering in Christ (Hebrews 2:10). In response in accordance to the speculation I am very intrigued. Ive never heard that before, amazing, makes for a prodigious discussion. By "prodigious" I mean incrdeible.

[mfblume]

Paul's tribulations served as "cracking" and breaking of his earthen vessel so that the anointing of life in his earthen vessel might shine forth so powerfully to those to whom he ministered.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 KJV (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (8) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (10) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (11) For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (12) So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

[Isaiah]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Paul's tribulations served as "cracking" and breaking of his earthen vessel so that the anointing of life in his earthen vessel might shine forth so powerfully to those to whom he ministered.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 KJV (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (8) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (10) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (11) For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (12) So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Beautiful explanation and one which I was looking. I recently read a book by Curtis Myles Young (My Pastor) callled "Jars." The book starts off with this familiar passage of scripture that you started with, 2Corinthians 4:7. Which happens to be one of my favorites. Pauls life shines forth and exhalts the Spirit of Christ within a recepient rather than the recepient. Such a life I wish to portray for Christ. Thank you mfblume.

[mfblume]

God bless you, Isaiah. It reminds me of Gideon's jars. When the pitchers were broken, the light inside shone out and destroyed the enemy Midianites. Breaking releases the light of the knowledge of the glory of God we have in our hearts.

Paul said it was a repetition of the dying of Jesus in His body. And Gideon told the 300 to watch him and repeat after him what he did. When they saw Him break the pitchers, they were to break their pitchers. I see this as we see Jesus in dying on the cross, and take up our crosses and die with Him, and repeat what He did, and see HIS LIFE come forth from us and defeat the enemy.

[Isaiah]

Originally Posted by mfblume

God bless you, Isaiah. It reminds me of Gideon's jars. When the pitchers were broken, the light inside shone out and destroyed the enemy Midianites. Breaking releases the light of the knowledge of the glory of God we have in our hearts.

Paul said it was a repetition of the dying of Jesus in His body. And Gideon told the 300 to watch him and repeat after him what he did. When they saw Him break the pitchers, they were to break their pitchers. I see this as we see Jesus in dying on the cross, and take up our crosses and die with Him, and repeat what He did, and see HIS LIFE come forth from us and defeat the enemy.

You better believe I am going to use that great elucidation, you just did one day . In many cases it brings a strong verse of scripture to mind, that I use quiet often due to the great effect it has taken upon my life. "For it beacame him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering" (Hebrews 2:10). God Bless you as well brother!