Handling the suffering: (4:8-18)
- Pressed on every side by troubles but not crushed: (4:8a): Paul was a wanted, hunted man because of what he was for Jesus. Forty men conspired together to not eat or drink until they had murdered Paul. He knew what it was like to be hunted! (Acts 23:12). Living as a wanted, hunted man means terrible stress, experienced every moment of the day. Yet, Paul was not crushed by this stress. He could still serve the Lord gloriously.
- Perplexed but not given up: (4:8b): Paul lived with proper provision. He was living on the edge, but not without hope or resources. God had not given up. May be the disappointments were surrounding him, but he had not lost hope or never at the end of hope and God’s resources were always at hand.
- Persecuted but not abandoned: (4:9a): He waspersecuted, hunted down by his enemies. Just like David was hunted by King Saul Paul must have felt at times. But he was not forsaken or abandoned by God. He had maintained direct communication with God. It was a 24 x7 communication. He knew, he had to fulfil God’s purposes and plans. He had targets to do.
- Struck down but not destroyed: (4:9b): Many times Paul was knocked down, but not knocked out. Paul faced death threats every time. For a normal human being it would be impossible to live. But even in such circumstances, Paul draws the amazing power from Christ. He has not yielded or gave up hope. Although life was very difficult, he takes courage to live and carry on the work given to him.
Ex: Richard Wurmbrand who suffered in Communist jails.
The reactions we must have: (4:10-12):
- The death of Jesus: Share the death of Jesus so that the our life may be revived. (4:10): Paul wanted the life of Jesus evident in him. But Paul knew this could only be possible if he also carriedabout in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus. There are some aspects of God’s great work in our lives that only happen through trials and suffering.Paul was saying that He felt that the death of Jesus was being spiritually worked inside of him. He is saying that not only was the death of Jesus a historical fact, but it was also a spiritual reality in his life.
- The power of Jesus: He further wanted to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Some people think that some great preachers are always having a victorious lives. But it is not so. They are dying every day so that they may receive the power of Jesus. Many long to know the power of His resurrection, but want nothing to do with the fellowship of His sufferings or being conformed to His death. But there are certain fragrances (blessings) God can only release through a broken vial, so Paul rejoiced in knowing both the suffering and the glory. He knew the two were connected. Paul knew the spiritual riches that he brought to the Corinthian Christians came through the death-like suffering he endured in ministry. God made Paul more effective in ministry through his suffering.
The rewards when we suffer for Jesus: (4:13-18):
Paul was saying that “it is written” perhaps he was quoting from the experiences of King David (Ps.110:10). Paul affirmed his confidence that God would deliver him from death (Ps.116:8) with the same as King David declared. the apostle Paul was facing great dangers. In the midst of such dangers and threats to his life, the psalmist words were giving him great confidence that God would deliver him. This confidence was founded on the resurrection of Christ, the First-fruit and Guarantee of resurrection for all who place their faith for salvation in Him (1 Cor.15:12-19; 1 Thess. 4:14).
- We have the ultimate victory in the future: (4:14): Men with all technological innovations and discoveries and inventions, has utterly failed to answer the death and its consequences. But Christ brought victory over death and gave the meaning of salvation. So this is the message of the church that the Resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ will also raise us with Jesus and present all of us before the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul saw a future reunion of God’s people when he wrote, “and shall present us with you.” Death is the great divider, but in Jesus Christ there is assurance that His people shall be reunited in His presence (1 Thess. 4:13-18).