THIS SUFFERING SAINT (Conclusion)

We will conclude our consideration of the Apostle Paul and his many encounters with extreme and brutal punishment, as articulated in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27. Previously we did the math on the five times he was lashed with a Cat of Nine Tails concluding that he would have incurred up to 1,755 lacerations. The scar tissue, infection, and physical trauma from these lashings would have likely caused persistent pain and various complications throughout his life’s ministry.

In the last Praiseletter we contemplated the three times they tried to break down and punish Paul with rods. Considering the nature of the rods and the endless striking of his body by those inflicting the punishment, it is inconceivable to suppose that many of his bones were not broken, thus leaving him crippled, to some extent.

Paul goes on to tell us that he was stoned once and left for dead. Typically, there were two ways or methods by which one could be stoned. There was a stoning hill or a stoning pit. The stoning hill was often a cliff or precipice usually located on the outskirts of the city. We get a glimpse of this stoning procedure as we look to Luke’s Gospel account in chapter four, verse twenty nine. “And they rose up and cast Him (Jesus) out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, in order to throw Him down the cliff” (Luke 4:29).

Once an individual had been thrown down the hill, those inflicting this punishment would then throw stones (conveniently and strategically placed nearby) down upon the broken and/or lifeless body, as if to “add insult to injury”.

The stoning pit was a designated spot, identifiable by a depression in the ground next to an ample pile of stones. This was likely the type of stoning Paul experienced and survived. Some forensic analysis was done by a medical doctor on how a man would react to stones being hurled at him. Overwhelmingly, a man will try to deflect objects being thrown at him. It’s rather like if I were standing before a classroom of adult students, and suddenly tossed or threw an object at a man. His natural response would be to deflect or attempt to catch the object with his hands. It would generally not be normal to turn blindly away. If multiple objects were being continuously hurled at a man, it was noted that eventually he would turn away, curl up and give up…but not initially.

Why is this significant? Because, as Paul would initially seek to deflect the stones being hurled at him, it’s likely that his fingers and hands would be damaged. Perhaps this is why, occasionally, Paul references the fact that he is writing with his own hand in some of his letters. “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand” (Galatians 6:11). “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write” (2 Thessalonians 3:17).

Paul reminded the church in Colossae to, “Remember my chains.”  Perhaps, in the same way Paul is admonishing the church to remember his chains, he is also reminding them to remember his crippled body and his gnarled fingers, struggling to make occasional entries in his epistles. The text doesn’t tell us this, so I am not asserting that this is the case, but I believe there’s enough evidence to suggest the possibility.

What we do know is that he was lashed mercilessly, beaten brutally, stoned definitely, and persecuted constantly. He was beaten (probably with fists) times without number, imprisoned, shipwrecked, in constant danger from violent men and natural disaster. The list is long… look it up and read it:  2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

It’s no wonder he can write, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). Such profound and deep theological truths come from the depths of significant suffering.

In all this which I have explored and written in these recent letters, I am not suggesting that we somehow go looking for greater persecution, or desire some kind of abuse, whereby we might gain some deeper theological understanding. Quite simply…live the truth, speak the truth, exemplify Christ, and some degree of persecution is sure to follow.

Light condemns darkness, holiness offends the profane, and righteousness exposes unrighteousness. It’s as simple as 2+2=4.

Some are called to suffer greatly. Great grace will be given, proportionate to the need. I believe for every true Christian, there is a cost to discipleship. It costs our lives: “Crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). It requires the literal giving of our bodies: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). It necessitates the relinquishment of our will: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

But, to be sure, God calls some to suffer more greatly than others. He knows why, we don’t. He’s God, we’re not!

However, and in conclusion, let me challenge each of us to be aware of and concerned for those who suffer for Christ’s Name.

Recently, as I was studying through Colossians, I was struck by one short verse toward the end of Paul’s closing remarks. “Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings…” (Colossians 4:14). Wait a minute! How kind and gracious of God to provide Paul with an ofttimes traveling companion who just happens to be a doctor! How often must Luke have blotted the blood from Paul’s lacerations and bandaged those infected wounds. How many times might he have fashioned a temporary splint to give support to a broken bone? Perhaps he encouraged his friend to manipulate his gnarled fingers so he could at least occasionally write a few lines to his beloved saints in the churches Paul so loved. Maybe as Luke cared for Paul, while in prison, he offered encouraging words to inspire him to press on in the midst of seemingly impossible circumstances.

It seems some are called to suffer more than others, and undoubtedly some are called to bind up the wounds of the suffering. Both require the same grace! If you identify more with Paul in some aspect of significant suffering, let me encourage you with the fact that the same grace that sustained Paul through all his trials will also be your sustaining grace.

Maybe at this time you don’t find yourself in the deep throes of affliction and suffering. That’s quite all right. Thank God for his mercy! But maybe you could be a “Luke” to someone who is “going through it”.There are most likely some, in close proximity to you, who need a “beloved physician”. Be just such a one to them!

I pray these letters and thoughts have brought some new perspective to your walk of faith. If they have, we can be most thankful to our loving Lord, and to his special servant, the Apostle Paul…THIS SUFFERING SAINT.

In Christ, 

Dallas Holm

P.S. In an effort to steward our resources wisely, we are moving away from maintaining a physical office  space and shifting to a home-based work environment. As part of this transition, we will no longer have a landline telephone. All communication will now take place via email. Please direct all communication to  dallas@dallasholm.com.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this transition.