Paul suffered because he was divinely appointed to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, which provoked intense opposition from both Jewish opponents and satanic forces.
Paul's calling as the apostle to the Gentiles was the direct cause of his suffering. He faced relentless persecution from Jews—both believing and unbelieving—who resisted any message going to the Gentiles. Additionally, satanic power worked to hinder the spread of the gospel to the Gentile world, making Paul's ministry a constant battle.
2 Timothy 1:11-12 — Paul explicitly connects his appointment as a preacher, apostle, and teacher to the Gentiles with the suffering he endures.
In 2 Timothy 1:11-12, Paul states that he was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles, and for that cause he suffered. The scriptures show that Paul's suffering was intertwined with his divine commission to reach the Gentile world. In Acts 22, Paul recounts how the Lord told him to depart from Jerusalem because the Jews would not receive his testimony, and that He would send him far away to the Gentiles. This very mention of the word 'Gentile' incited a riot among the Jewish crowd, demonstrating the intense opposition to his Gentile-focused mission.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's suffering was directly tied to his unique calling as the apostle to the Gentiles. The Jews, whether they believed in Jesus or not, constantly attacked Paul's apostleship because he had not walked with Jesus like the twelve had. They saw him as an upstart, and they actively tried to stop his ministry among the Gentiles. Les emphasizes that if they had succeeded, we as Gentiles would have had no chance of salvation, but Paul withstood all that pressure to keep the gospel of grace flowing to us. Les also points out that satanic forces were behind this opposition, as Satan hated the idea of the gospel reaching the vast Gentile masses. Paul's suffering, therefore, was not just human persecution but a spiritual battle against the enemy of the gospel.
Les Feldick explains that both believing and unbelieving Jews opposed Paul. They argued that Paul had never walked with Jesus like Peter did, calling him an upstart and accusing him of inventing his message. This opposition forced Paul to constantly defend his apostleship, pointing to all the suffering he had endured for the sake of the gospel. In Acts 22, when Paul mentioned the word 'Gentile' to the Jewish crowd, they rioted and shouted for his death, showing their intense hatred for the idea of the gospel going to non-Jews.
Les Feldick stresses that if Paul had been stopped by the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, the gospel would not have continued to the Gentiles, and we would have had no chance of salvation. Paul understood this and faithfully endured all kinds of persecution—beatings, shipwrecks, and other hardships—so that the Gentiles could hear and receive the gospel of grace. He was driven from city to city but was never forsaken, and even when he was sick and near death, he was confident that he had fulfilled the Lord's purpose.
Les Feldick indicates that Satan did not want the gospel to go out to the Gentile world. He had opposed the gospel's message throughout the Old Testament, and its extension to the vast Gentile population was especially unacceptable. Therefore, Paul's suffering was not merely from human enemies but was fueled by satanic power working from every direction. This explains why Paul's ministry was so fiercely contested.
Paul's Perseverance Despite Suffering
Les describes how Paul was driven from city to city, and even when sick and near death, he remained confident he had fulfilled the Lord's purpose, showing the extent of his suffering for the gospel.
Defending Apostleship
Les explains that Paul had to constantly defend his apostleship against Jewish attacks, pointing to his suffering as proof that he had earned his role, all for the sake of the Gentiles.
Stopping Paul Would Mean No Salvation for Gentiles
Les emphasizes that if the Jewish believers had stopped Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, we would have no chance of salvation, so Paul endured pressure to keep the gospel going to us.
Paul's Sacrifices for the Gentile Mission
Les highlights that Paul gave up wealth and comfort, suffering greatly just to get the gospel to the Gentile world, with no compensation.
The Word 'Gentile' Provokes Riot
Les shows that when Paul mentioned the word 'Gentile' to the Jewish crowd, they rioted, illustrating the intense opposition to his Gentile mission.
Jewish Rejection of Paul's Gentile Mission
Les explains how Israel's rejection of their role led them to fight Paul's ministry to the Gentiles every step of the way, even demanding his death.
Paul Chosen as Apostle to the Gentiles
Les recalls that Saul was converted on the road to Damascus specifically to be sent far hence to the Gentiles, showing his unique appointment.
Paul Recounts His Gentile Ministry
Les sets the scene of Paul recounting his entire conversion and Gentile ministry before the Jewish religious leaders, leading to the riot.
2 Timothy 1:11-12: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
This verse explicitly connects Paul's appointment to the Gentiles with his suffering, and his confidence despite it.
Acts 22:21-22: And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
This shows how the mere mention of 'Gentile' provoked a violent reaction from the Jews, illustrating the opposition Paul faced.
Yes, Paul's suffering was directly linked to his God-given mission to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Both Jewish opposition and satanic resistance targeted his ministry, causing him to endure beatings, imprisonment, and constant hardship.
Paul faced opposition from both believing and unbelieving Jews. They rejected his apostleship because he hadn't walked with Jesus like the twelve, and they violently reacted to his message going to the Gentiles, even seeking to kill him.
No, Paul was not ashamed of his suffering. He was confident in the God he served and knew that his suffering was for a noble purpose—bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. He was persuaded that God would keep what he had committed to Him.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Suffering and Glory