Resolute in Suffering

Having described himself as a fragile, breakable clay pot containing the glorious and powerful light of the gospel, Paul described the kind of suffering he endured in his service to God. He said, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor 4:8-9).

• "Hard-pressed on every side" portrays a large crowd of difficulties pressing at him from all directions. It describes intense pressures coming at him from every angle. Despite this disadvantage, Paul assures us that these multiplied pressures did not crush his spirit. The word crush may also mean that these pressures did not restrict his ability to serve God.
• "Perplexed" describes a helpless position in which a person is puzzled, uncertain, and at a loss about what to do. A person who is perplexed like this is lacks answers to all of the questions he faces and sees no clear pathway out of his predicament. Despite this unpleasant experience, Paul assures us that he was not in doubt, dismay, or despair. Though he lacked answers and solutions, he remained confident in God and clear about his mission.
• "Persecuted" refers to a life on the run from a systematic, organized program to pursue, oppress, and harass him. Paul lived under the perpetual threat of arrest, opposition and physical harm. Even so, he assures us that he was not forsaken or abandoned by the supportive fellow believers - and especially by the Lord. He refused to tolerate a "martyr's spirit" or a "go eat worms" mentality in response to the marginalization and harassment he experienced.
• "Cast down" refers to being thrown or knocked down to the ground in a harsh or brutal manner, causing excruciating pain or serious injuries. Despite this terrible treatment, Paul assures us that he was not entirely destroyed. His heart was still beating, his brain was still thinking, his mouth was still breathing, and his body was still functioning well enough to serve the Lord. Can you see his positive outlook shining through?

These four statements about his life feature another important detail. Each one speaks about a present, ongoing condition. These were not one-time incidents in the life of Paul. They were recurring, repeated experiences. (Paul hints at this more clearing in the next verse when he describes these experiences as "always carrying.")Though Paul describes his suffering here in a general way, he provides greater detail elsewhere (2 Cor 6:4-10; 11:23-27). These lists include: beatings, stonings, riots directed at him, imprisonments, heavy labor, shipwrecks, brutal robberies, sleepless nights, exposure, thirst, and hunger. Yet despite these many hardships, Paul remained resilient and resolute. His critics claims that these sufferings discredited him as a teacher and apostle, but Paul believed the opposite to be the case. After all, which reveals the light of the gospel and the power of God in a more brilliant and excellent way? A life of ease and popularity? Or a life of suffering that keeps on plugging with joy?

Which reveals the light of the gospel and the power of God in a more brilliant and excellent way? A life of ease and popularity? Or a life of suffering that keeps on plugging with joy?

Paul did not list out his catalog of hardships to evoke sympathy from his audience, nor did he do so as a badge of honor, parading his sufferings around as a mark of superiority over those who might suffer less. Instead, Paul listed out his sufferings to highlight the sustaining power of God that was within him. Paul himself was not superior to other teachers and other men. It was the message that he preached and power of God within him that was superior to whatever harm or difficulties he endured. Even when he was pressed, perplexed, pursued, and beaten down, he remained resolute in his mind, serene in his spirit, optimistic in his outlook, and devoted in his behavior to speaking the gospel in love and without fear.

Paul listed out his sufferings to highlight the sustaining power of God that was within him.

What difficulties do you experience for Christ? Are you responding to your suffering with the spiritual serenity and resolve that demonstrates the power of God? I pray that the example of Paul will encourage you in this way.