Why did Paul suffer for so many years?
Paul suffered for years because of his apostolic work. Judaizers constantly opposed him, trying to destroy his work. Pagan Romans persecuted Christianity, and he endured sickness, beatings, and scourgings. He ultimately suffered a martyr’s death for the Gospel, which made him anxious to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.
Les explains that Paul’s prolonged suffering came directly from his apostolic work. The Judaizers were constantly after him, trying to destroy his work, and in time the pagan Romans began to come down upon Christianity. Paul suffered a martyr’s death because of his work with the Gospel. On top of that, he suffered sickness, pain from beatings, and scourgings. With increasing pressure from Roman authorities against Christianity, Paul was anxious to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Les also notes that Christians around the world today face terrible persecution and abject poverty, illustrating the same kind of suffering Paul endured.