Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed” (Rom. 15:30-32).
Now compare Paul’s plans with what actually came to pass and the three major lessons we learn from these events.
Paul’s plan for his fourth missionary journey was to go to Rome and then to Spain (Rom. 15:22-32). He did indeed go to Rome, but neither in the way nor at the time that he had planned. And Rome was as evidently as far as he went on that journey. As Paul neared the end of his third missionary journey and prepared to return to Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit testified in every city that Paul went that bonds and afflictions were in store for him at Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-23; 21:4, 10-11). These warnings did not move Paul (Acts 20:24; Acts 21:12-14), and Paul went to Jerusalem (Acts 21:15-25). The Jews from Asia Minor who were at Jerusalem at that time caused the whole city to be in an uproar against Paul and the people took Paul out of the temple to kill him (Acts 21:26-31). The Romans intervened and took Paul prisoner (Acts 21:31-36; Acts 22:24-30). Jesus appeared to Paul in the Roman castle at Jerusalem and told him to be of good cheer because he would testify of him in Rome (Acts 23:10-11). Paul was moved by the Romans to Caesarea (Acts 23:12-35), where he remained a prisoner for two years (Acts 24:22-27).
Finally, Paul, a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37-38; Acts 22:25-29; 23:27), appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:8-12). The Romans sent Paul to Rome (Acts 27-28), where he remained a prisoner for another two years before being set free (Acts 28:30-31). As Jesus had promised (Acts 23:10-11), Paul did freely preach the gospel during those two years in Rome (Acts 28:30-31), and by his work, some of Caesar’s own household were converted to Christ (Php 4:22). Thus, Paul did finally get to visit Rome and the brethren there and was able to preach there, but not at all in the way that he had originally planned. We do not know if Paul was able to go to Spain after his release from prison in Rome.
The difference between what Paul had planned and what actually happened teaches us at least three major lessons:
- We do need to make plans, and be diligent and organized. Paul definitely made plans and was diligent and organized in seeking to carry them out, even if things did not turn out the way he had planned (Rom. 15:22-32).
- We need to pray for God to bless our plans and works. Christ has all authority in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28:18), and he is working all things after the counsel of his own will (Rom. 8:28; Eph. 1:11). God tells us to make request of Him in everything (Php. 4:6), and if we do not have enough faith to ask Him, He says we will not receive (James 4:2; Matt. 7:7-8).
- We also need to understand that even though we plan and pray, what actually happens in the end is only in God’s hands, a fact that is taught in several places in the scriptures. For example, Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.” This emphasizes the inability of man to do anything unless it is God’s will. Man makes plans and devises what he wants to do or thinks he will do, but ultimately, it is only what God wills (literally determines) that happens. We cannot even make ourselves be alive, let alone make ourselves be able to do “this or that” (James 4:13-15). So often our plans do not work out. When we fail to say, “if the Lord wills,” that is a form of evil boasting (James 4:15-16), because the Lord must direct man’s steps (Prov. 16:9).
These two lessons are very good and took much study on your part to get these two lessons.
I would particularly be interested in a lesson regarding II Corinthians 12, in particular verses 1-6. I read this yesterday and became thoroughly absorbed, fascinated.
2 Corinthians 12:1-6
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
The word “glory” is ‘kauchaomai,’ (2744) which Strong’s dictionary defines as boasting
1 Corinthians 1:29-31— It seems strange that Paul would boast considering the Scripture
29 That no flesh should glory (2744) in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth (2744), let him glory (2744) in the Lord.
HOWEVER, when we consider verse five, we can understand that he is boasting of someone else, and not boasting of himself
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.
When he says “I knew a man,” he then tells about this man, not about himself
To tell something that happened 14 years ago, it must’ve been a very special event
This man was caught up “to the third heaven,” which is identified as “paradise” in verse 4
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
Again he mentions that “he knew such a man.”
He could not be talking about himself in this illustration for two reasons.
Again, he testifies that he does not know if the man was caught up to paradise in his physical body or not.
There is no need for us to reason about whether he went up physically or in some other way, because if Paul doesn’t know, how is it possible for us to know?
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
This man heard “unspeakable words,” which he was not allowed to utter
Apparently the Lord trusted this man, which would testify that he was faithful
Except for Jesus and the thief going to paradise, we don’t know much more about paradise.
It is quite possible that Abraham was in paradise, but the Scriptures do not state so.
If there were no activity in paradise, why would the Lord forbid this man to tell any man what he heard?
Of such an one will I glory (2744): yet of myself I will not glory (2744), but in mine infirmities.
Paul said “‘of’ such an one will I glory (boast).
We cannot assume that Paul was boasting of this man, for it is possible he was boasting of God’s work (in this man)
Paul does say that he will glory in his infirmities (weaknesses)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10— Jesus informed Paul of the pathway of spiritual growth
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 (2744) 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.
Paul gained strength through his weaknesses
Thus, Paul was boasting of God’s work through his weaknesses
6 For though I would desire to glory (2744), 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.
Paul would like to have boasted, but not of himself
2 Corinthians 5:12— Paul did give the Corinthians occasion to boast on his behalf
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory (2745) on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory (2744) in appearance, and not in heart.
The Corinthians needed to answer those who were attacking Paul
The Lord did not give the Corinthians occasion to boast of themselves.