… what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Summary: It turns out that Paul’s statement about deliverance is not as simple as it sounds. Exploring the possible meanings of the word opens doors to better understanding our role as Christians.
What does Paul need to be delivered from?
The easy answer to this question is that Paul is in prison, and he wants to be released, free to pursue his mission of spreading the Gospel. Unfortunately, that doesn’t feel very satisfying.
The Greek word Paul uses is “sōtēría.” Strong’s Concordance defines it as a noun that means “rescue or safety (physically or morally):—deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.”* This could apply to being physically delivered from prison, but it seems uncharacteristic of Paul to be worried about his own well-being. He is invariably focused on serving Jesus no matter what the cost rather than worrying about his own comfort or safety.
It could be argued that Paul is expressing confidence that what has happened will actually promote the Gospel. However, Paul’s use of the word “sōtēría” is very personal. He appears to be referring to his own deliverance, which could mean “spiritual” deliverance. In fact, the Amplified version of the Bible and others specifically point to this possibility.
If this is the case and Paul is thinking in spiritual terms, what then? Does he think that this has something to do with his salvation?
That doesn’t make sense, either, because we know that Paul’s Gospel does not allow for our salvation to rely on our own works or suffering (Romans 10:9-13, Revelation 19:1).
What then?
Each of us has our own personal journey to faith. I think it is fairly safe to say that no two people come to Jesus in exactly the same way. Paul’s journey is, no doubt, unique.
Remember what he was before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus? In his speech before King Agrippa (Acts 26), Paul points out that he had put Christians in prison, and when it came to putting them to death, he voted for death every time (Acts 26:10).
After Paul first encountered the Lord, Jesus commanded a man named Ananias to heal Paul’s eyes and instruct him on what to do. When Ananias questions the wisdom of this, Jesus acknowledges the concern by explaining, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16).
The rest of Paul’s life was the fulfillment of Jesus’ words. Paul did suffer — continually. And now, near the end of his life, he says, “… what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
Paul is not quitting or giving up because of his suffering. He knows that his deliverance — his spiritual obligation, if you will — is to serve the Lord regardless of where it takes him or what it costs.
Application: Each of our spiritual journeys will entail some suffering for the cross (1 Peter 4:13).
Food for Thought: Is suffering for the Gospel always as dramatic as Paul’s sufferings? If not, how do we suffer for the Gospel today?
*Strong’s G4991
Good meditation and good questions. Difficult to answer because they force one to look at their own life.
In some areas of the world, there are followers of Christ that do suffer as Paul suffered: beatings, imprisonment, and near-death experiences. In some areas of the world, there are followers of Christ that the greatest extent of “suffering” are ridicule, unfair treatment, and obstacles to daily life. In both of those examples though, I am talking about external persecution, the former being extreme, and the latter being milder comparatively. But both are meant to stop us from proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
So I have to ask myself why some are treated as the former and some as the latter. I think the answer is that in both examples, the followers of Christ were moved to act in compassion for others, and the level of sacrifice brings with it the level of suffering.
So I reckon to answer the questions: yes and no, it depends on what a person is willing to sacrifice for Christ. Sacrificing for Christ also means suffering for Him, as He did for us. Christ emptied Himself. That means He willingly gave all, and it also means He willingly let all be taken from Him. He gave us His Spirit, and then they “took” His body. If we are led into the “thick” of the battle, surrounded by the enemy, we will suffer greater. If we open up our mouths and proclaim the Gospel of Christ, we will be met with resistance. The enemy will attack your person, your life, your faith, and your beliefs, and if that cannot “break your spirit” the enemy may try and break you physically. Whatever it takes to get you to betray the faith that you claim. This is not only to get you to shut up, but to show others that there is no truth in what you say.
Philippians 2: 5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Thank you, Chris!
“… the level of sacrifice brings with it the level of suffering.”
Interesting concept! I wonder what drives the “level of sacrifice?” Us or God?
Thanks for the devotion and comments CH.
To be honest, I can’t even compare any “suffering” I have received for the sake of Christ to what Paul went through – or Christians in Syria, North Africa or the Congo.
However, that is largely due to the government system the founding fathers of our country put into place. As our freedoms are lost, I have to prepare myself for the possibility of real persecution. Am I ready? Is the church ready? That is a question I think on a lot today.
Will we be willing to suffer for the gospel when it gets costly to do so?
Rich –
It seems to me you have “suffered” a lot of my puns and irreverent questions over the years. I think that counts! 🙂
Is suffering for the Gospel always as dramatic as Paul’s sufferings? If not, how do we suffer for the Gospel today?
We are spiritual beings, confined in physical bodies which desire, and place great value in the accumulation of the temporary things of this world as we seek the praises of physical beings like ourselves and reject the calling, of our unseen God who is revealing truth to all, John 16:8.
Our freedom from the power, the desires of this housing of flesh is a struggle we must each experience and begins with the revelation of truth which can be a very painful process as God reveals and removes everything, of this world that we may have grown to place value in. The things, our achievements, the associations which formed, our foundation must all be removed as we come to find ourselves alone and spiritually naked.
In His timing, we are made aware of and receive Gods calling to Jesus Christ and begin His process of renewal in the power of His Holy Spirit.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
We may have to spend time in isolation as we grow in Christ, however in time God will open a whole new world to us as He empowers and guides us into His true life of full time life ministry to the world around us. Our life in Christ brings peace and joy as we submit to God, experience Christs leading as He ministers to all God calls into our sphere of influence. And all pain of suffering fades away!
Ron,
Thank you for a very personal take on today’s question!
” the revelation of truth … can be a very painful process”
That is so true! At least it has been in my life. In this sense the suffering was self-inflicted and only felt when God’s light reveals the reality.