Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"In journeys often, in perils..."
Text: 2 Corinthians 11:26
AT GREAT RISK
Few understand the dangers that Paul faced on his missionary journeys. The false teachers certainly could never match the way in which Paul lived for the Lord and served Him!
“In journeys often, in perils of waters,
in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen,
in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city,
in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea,
in perils among false brethren.”
2 Corinthians 11:26
1. “In journeys often”
a) The Book of Acts records only three missionary journeys.
b) What was recorded was essentially “general descriptions”.
c) The details could not be included for obvious reasons.
d) There were other journeys that were not recorded.
2. “In perils”
a) This word suggests “risks”.
b) And “dangers that were hazardous to life and health”.
3. “In perils of water”
a) Sea-travel was dangerous in the days of Paul.
b) The sea-going vessels were not always well made.
c) The people who formed the crew of the ship were not always well-trained.
4. “In perils of robbers”
a) Robbery was a common problem.
b) All who travelled faced this very real problem of being accosted by wicked criminals.
5. “In perils of my own countrymen, in perils of Gentiles”
a) Paul paired these two perils.
b) Perils were encountered from both.
i) The Jews (“his countrymen”)
ii) The Gentiles whom he sought to reach.
6. “In perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea”
These three were put together to give the picture that perils were faced no matter where he turned and no matter where he may be called to serve.
7. “In perils among false brethren”
What may be most heart-wrenching was the fact that brethren proved to be false!