Persecution Bible Verse
Christian Persecution in the Bible
Christianity Oasis provides this Biblical Persecution Bible verse study on Christian Persecution in the Bible bringing forth truth,understanding and peace.
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Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 11
Biblical Persecution Bible Verse
Christian Persecution in the Bible
Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our very concerning Biblical Persecution Bible verse study taking a look into Christian Persecution in the Bible. The absolutely important message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.
Biblical Persecution Bible Verse Quest
Christian Persecution in the Bible Explained
Greetings once more, and welcome back to Daily Bread. There are times in all of our lives when we just have to let off a little steam, and that was no different for Paul either.
In this chapter, Paul begins with a word of caution about false apostles, because he knows that from our hereditary inclination to sin, we need reminders ... Repeatedly. Then he takes the opportunity to do some rightly deserved bragging, along with some constructive criticism for those Corinthians who remain apprehensive to accept his authority as an Apostle.
Remember, that this letter, although it has a lot of recall about the people of Corinth being led astray by rumors, it's main objective was to be sort of a thank you note to those who repented after they were led back to the Truth.
But as in every congregation, there will remain a few skeptics who need admonition above and beyond the majority.
Biblical Persecution Bible Verse Truth
Christian Persecution in the Bible Facts
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly:
and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I
have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste
virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled
Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the
simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we
have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not
received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might
well bear with him.
Here Paul is saying, I hope to God you'll be patient with me while I talk foolishly. With the concern of God Himself I desire your love to be pure for Christ alone, but I'm afraid that you may be led away as Eve was by the serpent, because it seems like you may be gullible enough to be influenced and/or led away by imposters if they are convincing.
The he and the him in the Verse 4 is referring to false prophets, false apostles, false witnesses ... Anyone who is preaching anything other than the true Gospel.
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest
Apostles.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge;
but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
Biblical Persecution Bible Verse Insight
Christian Persecution in the Bible Message
You have to smile when you read Paul's frankness. Basically, he just said, Hey, I rank right up there with all the top Apostles. And I may not talk with pretty words, but I'm no dummy, and have proved it over and over.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing [humbling] myself
that ye might be exalted [lifted up], because I have preached to you
the Gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you
service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted [was in need
of something], I was chargeable to no man [asked for nothing]: for
that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia
supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome
[costly] unto you, and so will I keep myself [I will remain that way].
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me
of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth [I do].
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off
occasion [take away opportunity] from them which desire occasion
[want a reason]; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as
we.
This is a really admirable way of thinking that Paul just shared. Paul felt it was so important that he was no trouble to anyone, that he even thought that taking money from other churches for his ministry, was robbery (though all churches are one body in Christ).
Biblical Persecution Bible Verse Lesson
Christian Persecution in the Bible Details
Another thing that Paul points out is that evil just can't wait for an opportunity to do it's work. However, if the opportunity never arises, it can't do anything. So, if evil works through people, and we do things that can prevent it from occurring, then, the person who it may have worked through, is saved from doing evil. But, we have to be one step ahead of evil, because it camouflages itself sometimes in things that we don't expect, as Paul explains:
13 For such are [this is the manner of] false apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming [disguising] themselves into the
apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel [that's no surprise]; for Satan himself
is transformed [changes himself] into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be
according to their works [They will get what they deserve].
Now, this is the part where Paul does a little boasting, and watch out, because he can be very candid.
I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive [tolerate] me, that I may boast myself a little.
In other words, Paul says, I'm no fool, but even if you think I am, humor me anyway while I brag a bit!
Biblical Persecution Bible Verse Concern
Christian Persecution in the Bible Warning
That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
Paul always makes it clear whenever he wants you to know that something isn't a commandment of the Lord, it is his own opinion.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory
also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are
wise.
Very clever of Paul. He's saying, Since you allow fools to convince you of things so readily, Hey, I'll be a fool for you, since you're so smart!
Now, here's the constructive criticism part:
20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a
man devour you, if a man take of [captures] you, if a man exalt
himself [over you], if a man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning reproach [this is shameful], as
though we had been weak ...
And here's the boasting part: In short, Paul is saying, If you believe in these people who are impostors of the Gospel, look at my credentials, am I not worth believing?
21 ... Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak
foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am
I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am
more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons
more frequent, in deaths oft [in the grips of death, often].
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save
[minus] one.
The Jews were not allowed to exceed 40 stripes or strokes with a whip so it was a common practice to stop at 39 so as not to exceed it.
25 Thrice [three times] was I beaten with rods, once was I
stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in
the deep;
26 In journeyings often [through several countries to
preach the Gospel], in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in
perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in
the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in
perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings
[sleeplessness] often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in
cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without [In addition to
other things as well that haven't been mentioned], that which cometh
upon me [things I deal with] daily, [also] the care of all the
churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak [who suffered for the
churches as I have]? who is offended, and I burn not [without my
grieving]?
30 If I must needs glory [If it's necessary for me to be
prideful], I will glory [be prideful] of the things which concern
mine infirmities [weaknesses].
Biblical Persecution Bible Verse Hope
Christian Persecution in the Bible Blessings
Paul explains more about those last few lines in the next chapter, so keep a look out for the reason why he's proud of his weaknesses.
And if all those qualifications aren't quite impressive enough, Paul adds:
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is
blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the
city of the damascenes with a garrison [assigned military troops],
desirous to apprehend [arrest] me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the
wall, and escaped his hands. Acts 9:24
If enduring persecution is any indication of a person's worthiness to be credible as a servant of Jesus Christ, Paul would certainly have to be among the most worthy ever. Hurry back soon, as we continue on with our study of this second letter from Paul to the Corinthians, right here at Daily Bread.
There is a force out there that is attempting to overtake us all; it is Satan. There is another force that is protecting us from him; it is the Holy Spirit. It is a battle for souls. This battle is called Spiritual Warfare, and like it or not, you are right in the middle of it.
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