Motivated by the love of God, and therefore desiring that all men would be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth, Paul and his fellow labourers in the gospel of Christ suffered great persecution from the religious establishment of their day.  

• 1 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Their reproaches and persecutions were for preaching the truth of the gospel of salvation, which Christ revealed to Paul for this dispensation of the grace of God.

• Galatians 5:11 KJV  And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

It is not just by a few verses, but by the whole biblical account of Paul’s ministry, we know that preaching of the cross without the works of the law, causes offence and persecution.  Paul summed it up for Timothy, and for us, reminding us not just of what he endured, and from which God delivered him, but that all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  

While evil men shall wax worse and worse, we are instructed to continue in the doctrine we have learned, which Christ delivered to Paul for the church, the body of Christ.

• 2 Timothy 3:10-14 KJV  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,  (11)  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.  (12)  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  (13)  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Whereas the preaching of the cross without works for righteousness causes offence and persecution, the converse can also be said: if works are added to the gospel of Christ, then the offence caused by the preaching of the cross is ceased, as is the associated persecution. It could be said another way, that if there is no suffering or persecution then the gospel being preached is not an offence, because it includes some works by which a person can gain God’s acceptance. It is known as “another gospel, which is not another”. 

Those who constrained the Galatians to be circumcised were hypocrites because they themselves didn’t keep the law. They wanted to look good to their religious peers, (to make a fair show in the flesh), both to glory in bringing the Galatians to trust their doctrine of circumcision, but also to avoid persecution that would come from renouncing the works of the law for righteousness.

• Galatians 6:12-13 KJV  As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.  (13)  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

Motivation for Christ's sake, or for personal glory?

The offence of the cross as described in the bible helps us discern truth from lies when it comes to the defence and confirmation of the gospel.  

Because individuals who spoke lies had been successful in using subtle deceit to infiltrate the churches, Paul took great care to provide detailed instruction for the body of Christ, not just on the contrary doctrine and division they brought, but also on their motives and behaviours, versus those of God’s ministers.

For edification of the church, the scriptures provide us with a pattern to follow, and they enable us to mark and avoid them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which Christ revealed directly to the apostle Paul for the church, the body of Christ.  

Motivation for personal gain

A reason why Paul preached without charge to the Corinthians, was to cut off occasion or opportunity from deceitful false apostles who presented themselves as apostles of Christ to bring the church into bondage of the law, to exalt themselves over them and to make gain from them.  

• 2 Corinthians 11:9-13 KJV  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.  (10)  As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.  (11)  Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.  (12)  But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.  (13)  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Paul did what he did, in speaking the truth in love and not charging for it, so that the church could see and compare his motivation and behaviour with those deceitful workers who avoided suffering persecution by preaching a false gospel, and whose real aim was to get glory for themselves and to take personal gain from the members of the church.  Their occasion or opportunity was cut off by the consistency of Paul’s teaching, and the behaviour of him and his fellow labourers in the gospel.  Those opportunists would be easily identified by the church, simply by comparing a deceitful worker’s motivation and behaviour to that of Paul’s.

Motivation for the sake of others

By contrast, Paul wanted to show the Corinthians, by the record of his ministry, that he sought their perfection and edification in Christ; he sought them and not theirs.

• 2 Corinthians 12:14-19 KJV  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  (15)  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.  (16)  But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.  (17)  Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?  (18)  I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?  (19)  Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

Paul's credentials compared

Paul presented his credentials, including his suffering for the sake of the gospel.  His humility and self-sacrifice were not a sign of weakness, but rather evidence of his boldness to endure reproaches for the edifying of the church. 

Endurance vs avoidance of reproaches

Paul certainly endured persecutions and reproaches, for the sake of the gospel, that people might be saved by it.

• 2 Corinthians 11:21-33 KJV  I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.  (22)  Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.  (23)  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  (24)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  (25)  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  (26)  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  (27)  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  (28)  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  (29)  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?  (30)  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.  (31)  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.  (32)  In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:  (33)  And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Glorying in infirmities rather than self-glory

Paul’s being caught up to heaven surely set him apart from the false apostles.  But while they sought personal glory, Paul knew it would not be expedient for him to glory, and that to do so would have been foolish.  For this, he was given a thorn in his side, to stop him from glorying in himself.  In what other perceived as weakness, Paul found strength in the power of Christ and his sufficient grace.

• 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 KJV  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  (2)  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.  (3)  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)  (4)  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.  (5)  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.  (6)  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.  (7)  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

Without charge vs taking from the churches

The miracles which God wrought by Paul’s hands among the Corinthians and other churches, might well have been a reason to glory and to make money, had it not been for the truth of the gospel and the desire to present the churches blameless, that his labour would not have been in vain.  Because of Paul’s selfless suffering to bring the truth of the (offensive) gospel of the cross of Christ, for the care and benefit of the churches, he should have been commended by them.  However, because of the false apostles’ doctrine and the resulting divisions within the church, Paul was compelled to remind them also of the miracles which God performed by him, to authenticate him as an apostle.

• 2 Corinthians 12:11-12 KJV  I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.  (12)  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.  

All these reminders of Paul’s credentials were not simply a case of him boasting about how much better he was, but it was so the church would receive the word which he delivered, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God that worked effectually in them. 

Paul’s goal was the edification of the church in love, so they would be of the same mind and same judgment, all speaking the same thing according to what they heard, saw and were commanded by Paul.  He reminded the Corinthians why it was that he didn’t make a gain of them; it was for their edifying, without which he feared there would be divisions among them, debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings and tumults, as well as continuance in sin. 

• 2 Corinthians 12:17-21 KJV  Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?  (18)  I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?  (19)  Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.  (20)  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:  (21)  And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. 

Enemies of the cross exposed

Paul identified those deceitful false apostles, who the Corinthians had suffered gladly, as ministers of Satan, transformed as ministers of righteousness.

• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Such people still exist today and can still be identified by their preaching of a false gospel that includes works for righteousness, together with their cunning craftiness as they lie in wait to deceive. Such people were identified by Paul as enemies of the cross, who sought vain glory and financial gain by subtle deceit.

• Philippians 3:17-19 KJV  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  (18)  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

Dont suffer fools, but embrace the truth

As trusting individuals, it can be all too easy to be deceived. The deceitful workers were quite convincing in Paul’s day, so much so that he needed to show the Corinthians bluntly how they had gladly suffered these fools, allowing themselves, as supposedly wise, to be brought into bondage by these ministers of Satan whose God was their belly and who sought to exalt themselves and take from the churches.

• 2 Corinthians 11:19-20 KJV  For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.  (20)  For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

Paul contrasted that behaviour with how he, Slivanus (Silas) and Timotheous (Timothy) had spoken the gospel of God to the Thessalonians with much contention.  Having suffered and been shamefully entreated, they did not use flattering words or a cloke of covetousness to seek admiration, but they exhorted the church at Thessalonica honestly and without guile, in speaking the truth of the gospel, not as pleasing men, but God. 

• 1 Thessalonians 2:1-5 KJV  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:  (2)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.  (3)  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:  (4)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  (5)  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 

Our pattern for walking worthy of our calling

Paul exhorted, comforted, and charged every one of the Thessalonians, as a father to his children, that they would walk worthy of God.  

Paul, Silas and Timothy didn’t seek personal glory from the churches, nor would they take money from them, but their behaviour among the believers was marked as holy and unblameable, in that they laboured night and day in order not to be burdensome, so that the church didn’t have to support them financially. They were gentle among them, as a nurse cherishes her children, willing to impart unto them not only the gospel of God, but also their own souls because the church was genuinely dear unto them. This is a pattern for us, as we minister to one another in the body of Christ today.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:6-12 KJV  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.  (7)  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  (8)  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of Godonly, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.  (9)  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.  (10)  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:  (11)  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,  (12)  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

It was the same with the Corinthians.  Paul refused to be chargeable to them, so that the gospel would not be hindered. He differentiated himself from the false apostles by contrasting his motives with theirs, as evidenced by his genuine love, care, behaviour and willingness to suffer greatly for their benefit, versus the glory-seeking money-grabbing behaviour of the ministers of Satan who were seeking to infiltrate the church by deception for their own benefit.

According to Paul’s pattern, we should also seek to edify one another in love in the body of Christ, without dissimulation or subterfuge.

• Romans 12:9-10 KJV  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  (10)  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 

The Thessalonian example

In the same manner as with the Corinthians, Paul, Slias and Timothy were not chargeable.  Rather, they worked night and day to be able to bring the truth of gospel to the church, because they were genuinely dear unto them.  They were demonstrating the love of Christ and bearing the fruit of the Spirit in their unblameable behaviour towards their fellow members of the body of Christ, exhorting, comforting and charging them in how they should walk, according to their calling. The result was that their labour with the Thessalonians was not in vain.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 KJV  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:  (2)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.  (3)  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:  (4)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  (5)  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:  (6)  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.  (7)  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  (8)  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.  (9)  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.  (10)  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:  (11)  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,  (12)  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.  (13)  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.  (14)  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:  (15)  Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:  (16)  Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.  (17)  But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.  (18)  Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.  (19)  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  (20)  For ye are our glory and joy. 

We can learn from the Thessalonians, who brought thanksgiving to God, because they received the word of God as it is, in truth, and it effectually worked in those that believed.  Such was their belief and therefore effectual working of the word, that they too were prepared to suffer for the sake of the gospel.

• 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 KJV  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.  (6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  (7)  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
   

Despite tribulations and persecutions, the Thessalonians faith increased greatly, as did their charity towards each other, the charity which Paul and his fellow labourers showed to them, teaching them patience and how to endure persecutions.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 KJV  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;  (4)  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Glory and thanks to God

What a joy it is for members of the body of Christ, to see our faith grow exceedingly together, and the charity among us increasing as we yield to the truth.  This is the result of God’s word working effectually in those who believe, teaching and admonishing them in how to love one another. 

For this reason, members of the church which is Christ’s body give thanks to God always for each other, and it is why they care passionately and pray for one another, not judging one another in the flesh, but recognizing their God-given need for each other as part of the same body.

We ask God to help us grow in knowledge and wisdom, and to protect us from false doctrine, so that by speaking the truth in love, we may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  (Eph 4:15-16)

Those who follow Paul's example, in sharing and defending the only gospel of salvation, will have experienced some form of persecution from people who oppose the simple preaching of the cross; which to them, and to most religious denominations, is an offence.  

But thanks be to God we have also known, and can rely upon, the sufficiency of God’s grace whereby we are able to endure, for the sake of Christ, that others might hear and be saved.