The Servant of Christ

Often we hear of people who have sacrificed much for the cause of Christ. No one, however, has the credentials of Paul. In 2 Corinthians 11:22-31 there is an incredible list of ministry hardships that he endured. Paul did not want to share these things (they are not recorded elsewhere), but the false apostles at Corinth forced his hand. The false apostles thrived on boasting of their greatness and accomplishments while denigrating Paul. So, in his defense, Paul chose to use the same tactic: “Whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that” (2 Corinthians 11:21).

Boasting, of necessity, involves comparison. Paul has already shown how foolish that practice is. “When they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12). Nevertheless, Paul resorts to comparing in order to reveal the true nature of the qualified servant of Christ. Paul asked, “Are they [the false apostles] servants of Christ? I am a better one” (2 Corinthians 11:23). In what way was Paul better?

Look closely at what Paul chose as evidence that he was a better servant—“far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.” In other words, it was not Paul’s successes but his sufferings that he shows to qualify himself as a servant of Christ. There is no mention of any of the many triumphs he also experienced—nothing of his miracles and displays of power; no statistics of converts, church plants, or influential people won to Christ. Paul chronicles only the instances of rejection, hurt, humiliations, and privations.

There are four lessons we can take from this. First, we need endurance. Paul had incredible stamina. He survived not one but eight illegal and undeserved beatings that often crippled or killed the victim. He was also stoned by an angry mob and left for dead outside the city of Lystra (Acts 14:19). No hardship discouraged or disabled him. Paul did not give up.

Second, we see Paul’s great love for souls. When Paul declares his burden for the Jews (Romans 9:1-3), we know he is sincere. One scourging testified to his evangelistic zeal, but Paul returned again and again to receive five beatings. How much are we are willing to suffer in order that those around us may hear of Christ?

Third, Paul identified himself with Jesus Christ in His sufferings. Christ said, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). Paul longed to know Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:7-11; Galatians 6:17). He knew that it was not personal superiority and strength but weakness and humility that brought glory to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:30).

Fourth, It was grace alone that enabled Paul to persevere for Christ (1 Cor. 15:9, 10). By nature we shrink from suffering. Only God’s grace can overcome our instinct of personal preservation. Oh, that God would grant us the grace to welcome and embrace suffering for His glory. May we learn that we are most like Christ when we suffer as He did.