"Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraha? So am I.”

Paul silences the boasting of the opposition. He’s got every qualification of heritage, but he counts it as nothing. None of these things can save you. All that man boasts about - I'm American, I'm Nigerian, I'm born into a Christian family, I go to church - can ever make someone a child of God. We must be born again by faith in Christ. We must be risen from the dead. We must have the Holy Spirit and a sanctified nature. We must partake of the new covenant - sovereign, saving, electing grace.

People put their confidence in the wrong places. They're impressed by seminary titles, degrees, and everything under the sun. Don't be so easily misled; it is Christ alone in the Holy Spirit's power that makes a man live the Christian life and fit to preach Him.

Great labors prove our doctrine more than talk alone [vs23]. “Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool, I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.” It is true, works mean nothing without faith; It is also true, faith means nothing without works. Show me the man who's working by faith, and he's superior to the man that's criticizing him. We must be zealous of good works, not to be seen but to show the Son of God. There are men who do nothing, yet those who do and teach are foolishly neglected instead of esteemed.

Have a doing faith! Pick up a new project. Get something done in the cause of Christ. No man has been given faith to talk only.

"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one."

Suffering for the gospel is another mark [vs24]. “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.” We labor without effect, if no one hates us. It is paramount that our zeal be uncompromising, bold, and full. We cannot preach a partial gospel that pleases men - forgiveness and no duty: It must not be WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, but what God says.

Paul suffered because he faithfully took the gospel to enemy territory. He endured hardship for drawing lines of distinction. He preached both grace and works to the hatred of each side. He declared God's whole counsel. We'll also be hated by the legalist and the licentious, if we are faithful. We'll be opposed within the church, if we correct her, instead of outsiders only. Our zeal will enrage many.

What have you suffered for Christ [vs25]? Paul says, “Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; night and a day in the deep.” This is the fruit of the gospel. Christ love compels us to exploits. What has it compelled you to do? Where is your sacrifice and commitment? The conscience knows (if it is tenderly led by God’s word,) whether it is laboring for self or for Jesus. Suffering for Christ is greater than studying for Christ? Men who hazarded their lives were chosen to carry the good news of freedom in Acts 15. We should esteem such, rather than fault finding.

I'm encouraged by Paul's foolish boasting. Character, hard work, and great sufferings are to be esteemed. Those whose works evidence faith ought to be recognized.

Danger did not stop him [vs26]. “On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;” The apostle’s faith was resilient. He was not looking for a pillow but a place to labor. He wasn’t interested in self-preservation. The accusations of “doing too much” did not hinder him. He saw a dying world and a risen Savior, so he went forward.

This encourages us to keep going, seize open doors, and risk it all for Christ. Let our motives be pure and look boldly in the face of danger. Death has lost its sting.

Finally, Paul says, “often [vs27].” “In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often,in hunger and thirst, in fastings often in cold and nakedness.” Let us not be weary in well-doing, as if we’ll reach a place where suffering ends. On earth, we will have trouble, but be of good cheer. The Lamb is the Lion, and He has prevailed.