Paul was a prisoner not because of anything wrong he had done – Most people are prisoners for stealing, violence, murder, fraud, etc. David’s loyal minions asked him for permission to go over and kill the guy for his insolence.ĭavid replied in 2 Samuel 16:10 – But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”ģ. While David was on the run from Absalom, his enemy cursed him (2 Samuel 16). If a boss criticizes a project you know you finished well, maybe it is God teaching you some humility.ĭavid gives us a good example of this principle. Maybe there is a character quality that He wants you to work on. In a similar manner, when you face unfair treatment, consider what lesson God may want you to glean from the situation. Now I realize that in each of these cases, God allowed these things to happen for my good. Sometimes I reacted with a hot temper when I felt the other team was too rough or unfair. When I was younger, I found it harder to practice self-control. That often results in being on the receiving end of many hard fouls. Most of the time when I play, my teammates ask me to play in the middle since I am the tallest on our team. I am six feet three inches tall and enjoy playing basketball. The result of Paul being in prison is several New Testament books that he wouldn’t have had time to write if he wasn’t in prison.Ĭ) Do not blame or react harshly to people who treat you wrongly. A worldly person in Paul’s place may wonder why they are there and think it was a waste of their talents and preaching ability, but Paul knew God had a reason. Instead of complaining, we need to look for the reason and make sure we are doing what’s right. Even in prison, Paul made himself useful and fulfilled the purpose for which God put him there.Įverything happens to believers for a reason. This should comfort us in times of trial.ī) Because Christ is in control and our life is in his hands, we don’t need to be upset, complain, or become bitter when seemingly bad things happen to us. They can only do what God allows them to do. Although at times it looks like governments or earthly leaders are in control, they are all under the mighty hand of God. We can learn several things from this:Ī) Christ is sovereign. Being a prisoner was just the next step of Christ’s plan for him. When everyone told Paul not to go back to Jerusalem because they feared for his safety, he did anyway, knowing he would end up as a prisoner. Although Paul was a prisoner of the Romans for a total of about four years, he didn’t say he was a prisoner of the Romans – He said he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Verses 2-13 are a break from Paul’s thoughts which he began in verse one – The point he started discussing in verse is taken up again starting in verse 14.Ģ. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.ġ.
How did Paul get a special insight into this mystery?Ģ Corinthians 11:23-29 – In these verses Paul lists out his sufferings as a believer serving the Lord.Ģ Timothy 1:8 – So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.What does it mean that Paul is a steward of God’s grace?.What does it mean to be a prisoner of Christ Jesus?.Verse one starts with the phrase, “For this reason I, Paul…” What is the ending of this sentence? (2-13 is a parenthetical statement interrupting his thought in verse one, which he continues in verse 14).Paul was given a revelation into what was a mystery (1-4) Therefore we must not lose heart (12-13) I. Paul was a steward accomplishing this mission (7-10) The exact mystery was that Gentiles are fellow members of the body (6) Other generations did not have this knowledge (5)
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