Wednesday 18 March 2026

Psalm 146

Background
We continue reading Paul's letter to the Christians in Corinth in which he is urging them not to be taken in by fake ‘super-apostles’.

The super-apostles were boasting of their credentials as ministers of Christ to the Corinthians. Paul can’t produce his photo ID on the end of a lanyard to prove his authority. What he has instead is his story of following Jesus, and the hard path he’s been forced to take. Reading this list again makes me realise how vigorous and tough Paul was. He really loved his Lord. And I don’t think an ‘Iron Man’ marathon would have troubled him!

It’s difficult for Paul because he really doesn’t like boasting. I’m reminded of the phrase in the Methodist Covenant Service: "Put me to doing, put me to suffering". Sometimes in life, we are active and are getting our hands dirty – and I suspect that is where most of us are happiest. But at other times, we simply have to wait and do nothing or let others minister to us. We suffer the ministry of others. But, for Paul, "put me to suffering" had a real physical outcome. He wasn’t letting others minister to him, he was being abused at the hands of others. Some of the abuse he received was perfectly legal, though deeply immoral. It was the result of the authorities trying to get rid of a potential threat.

Looking at Paul’s list helps us to keep our own difficulties in perspective. When the local council calls Christmas ‘Winterval’, that doesn't count as persecution. When Easter becomes another word for chocolate, that isn’t persecution. Harsh persecution however is a reality for too many Christians today, as well as for people of other faiths. People are also persecuted for being from the wrong tribe or having the wrong politics.

Those who see Christianity as a threat may well be right.  Christ is a threat to the self-centred and those who simply want wealth and power for themselves. The poet Mary Coleridge (1861-1907) wrote:

“I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,
To men He was a stranger,
The safety of the world was lying there,
And the world’s danger.”

To Ponder:

• Paul was vigorous in his proclamation and defence of the gospel and the values that flow from it – he really ‘got up people’s noses’.  Is the Church in the West too gentle?
• How can we support Christians who are suffering for their faith?

Prayer:
Gracious God, bring strength and courage to those who suffer because of their faith and the lifestyle it leads them to. Bring them joy and hope as they face trials, and help them (and us) to run the race faithfully to the finish line. May you give us assurance, confidence and hope in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Richard Parkes
Richard Parkes is a retired presbyter, currently living in Newcastle-under-Lyme.