Dark Brightness

Paul is commenting on the super spiritual preachers who claimed that they had it all together. He, however, said that he did NOT have it together.

Spiritual does not always look spiritual. I have no doubt Paul was unhappy when lashed, stoned, beaten and in shipwrecks. He describes being anxious. He was not happy, and he did not appear successful.

But he is the first Christian theologian, and the founder of the Gentile church.

But whatever anyone dares to boast of – I am speaking as a fool – I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman – I am a better one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death. 24 Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. 28 And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

via PCUSA – Devotions.