What did Paul give up for the sake of the gospel?
Paul counted everything in his past—his lucrative position in Judaism, expensive lifestyle, likely family, and beautiful home in Jerusalem—as dung for the sake of the gospel. He did not consider his life his own, but labored so others might be reached.
Les explains that Paul, having nearly lost his life in Philippi and under constant attack in Ephesus, found death almost a welcome escape, yet he knew unfinished business remained: people still needed to be reached with the gospel as only he could do it. Thus he labored, not for salvation but for reward, because his life was not his own. He had counted his past advantages—his lucrative standing in Judaism, his expensive lifestyle, his likely family, and his beautiful home in Jerusalem—as dung for the sake of the gospel.