The Blog

Sea travel was not as safe as it is today. Paul had been shipwrecked three times, and he would face another accident on his voyage to Rome. By this time, Paul had probably made at least eight or nine voyages. Not only does Paul face beatings and dangers, he also carried the daily concern for the young churches, worrying whether they would stay true to the gospel and free from false teachers and inner strife. Paul was concerned for individuals in the churches he served. If God has placed us in a position of leadership and authority, we must treat people with Paul’s kind of empathy and concern.

2 Corinthians 11:25-29
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?