As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,
Summary: Why did God allow Paul to get sick? It is a question worth asking, and the answer might lead us to a deeper relationship with God.
There is a mystery in this passage. It is not the kind of mystery that will be solved by the likes of Columbo, but a mystery nonetheless.
Why would someone like Paul ever fall ill?
Here is a guy who has been beaten, flogged, given thirty-nine lashes five different times, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, adrift in the sea for twenty-four hours, and stoned (2 Corinthians 11:23-26). The people who stoned Paul thought he was dead. They dragged his body outside the city gates and dumped him in the ditch.
Did this stop Paul?
Nope.
The Bible says, “…after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.” (Acts 14:20)
Not only is Paul able to endure and survive these trials, but God is using Paul to work “signs, wonders, and miracles,” the “marks of a true apostle” (2 Corinthians 12:12).
So how can a “true apostle” like Paul endure all these things only to find himself brought low by an illness? Even when Paul was bitten by a poisonous viper, it didn’t harm him. He simply shook it off (Acts 28:3-6).
As it turns out, falling ill is not uncommon, even among the righteous (See Job 1-2, 2 Kings 13:14). What are we to make of this?
This same Paul, who tells us how he came to preach to the Galatians because of an illness, wrote this:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Apparently, “all things” include getting sick.
Come to think of it, how is getting sick any different than getting beaten up? Nobody wants to be beaten any more than they want to get sick. Sometimes these things happen. The difference between a beating and a shipwreck is that we can see the cause. When an illness strikes, we don’t know why one person gets sick and another doesn’t.
God, of course, knows all.
He knows why people beat other people, why ships get lost at sea, and why people get sick. That doesn’t mean he likes it. If people were like Adam and Eve before they sinned, these things would not be a problem. But that isn’t the way it worked out, is it? Instead, God uses these moments of weakness to his glory by bringing us back into his will. In Paul’s case, God’s will was that he spend some time with the Galatians and tell them about Jesus.
Application: Trust God in all things and all situations.
Food for Thought: What was on Paul’s mind when he was ill? Was he worried about getting better?
What was on Paul’s mind when he was ill? Was he worried about getting better?
Ivermectin was something that couldn’t have been on Paul’s mind but it’s hard for me to know for sure. One guess that makes sense would be scripture. I’m sure he meditated on it throughout the days. I’m not sure Paul really worried about the small stuff like getting sick or being beaten up. he did worry about teaching others correctly.
Thanks Tim!
Yes, teaching about Jesus was his passion! Being correct probably kept him up nights.
I agree with T. While it is hard to know what was on Paul’s mind, it would be consistent with his character that he would have been focused on spreading the truth of the gospel. He was cleared a focused and committed disciple.
Thank you, Rich.
I agree — Paul was nothing if not consistent! 🙂
What was on Paul’s mind when he was ill? Was he worried about getting better?
Matthew 10:29, Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
Romans 8:28, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Recently my wife who is normally a human dynamo from morning to night, could barely get out of bed, and was extremely weak for a week. During this week, I was close to panic as our family doctor was unavailable, every doctor I called was booked, so I took a a chance and called a neurologist she had seen regarding blood vessel problems in her head.
We got her into a hospital and following his very thorough procedure, he told my wife and I, she had a very serious problem and if left unattended she would die. Blood vessels in the brain were abnormally joining and and he had to correct this problem quickly.
We agreed and Monday, May 20th, she will be in an operating rom for 8hrs. As he corrects the problem.
We were coming home from the hospital yesterday, and I assured my wife all would be well. She asked me “How do you know?” I explained how she had gotten ill, and we had been able to get the best doctor in the State to correct the issue. This extremely complicated surgery would take place in 13 days.
I explained, I could see God’s hand all over this. We were seeing God at work in each of these events, and He always gives only the best for His children. He set this up, so she would receive the care He knew she needed, and He stills work for her here on earth. We have peace knowing God’s will is being done no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the outcome.
Ron,
Thank you for sharing your story. I know you are walking a path of deep faith with these medical issues.
I see a parallel with Paul’s story here, too. Not being able to find a doctor would normally be terrifying, but in this case God used it to lead you to the specialist you needed.
I hope everyone here will join me in praying for you and your wife during this time.
Thank you for letting us know Ron. Angela and I will be praying for you and your wife Ron. I’m sorry but I don’t think I’ve ever been told her name.
Thank you Tim, her name is Ling.
Ron