PAUL REJOICES

PAUL REJOICES
By RALPH F. BALOG

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:10

Whenever II Corinthians 11:22-33 is read don't you wonder wherein Paul
would have anything to rejoice about? If anyone was looking forward to a
glorified body, it was surely Paul. Truly he is our example of God's
strength made perfect in physical weakness (II Cor. 12:9-10).

But in this later Philippian epistle, Paul's rejoicing is not for relief
of his physical needs, but rather that other members of the Body of
Christ were learning their responsibility to Paul. He was rejoicing this
way because "ye were careful, but ye lacked opportunity. " They had tried
but could not reach Paul with their gifts of love. And for their
efforts, Paul rejoiced.

In verses 11,12 and 13 Paul states he is not concerned with his physical
needs. Whatever the Lord allows, Paul will accept. He states: "I can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." In verse 14 he writes
something similar to verse 10: "Notwithstanding ye have well done that
ye did communicate with my affliction." Verse 17 tells why Paul was
rejoicing: "I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Could this
be anything less than the Judgment Seat of Christ where "our account"
will be made known?

Nevertheless Paul expresses gratitude for the gifts sent through
Epaphroditus which he says are "well pleasing to God." Again, though
Paul rejoices, the end result is that it pleases God, and that is what
really counts. May we learn from Paul to rejoice in the growth of fellow
members of the Body of Christ as together we minister to each other's
needs.