Profundities of the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul went through many perils in his ministry. He says, "in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." (2 Cor. 11:23-26)

One part that stands out to me in this passage is "in perils among false brethren." Ever wonder what he meant by this? He noted robbers, his own countrymen and heathen. He also says, "false brethren." This seems to mean that these false brethren were recognized in the church as leaders and had some respect in the church but were a threat to the Apostle Paul's ministry. Surely, this must have been one of the most disappointing perils that he went through. To know that these brethren are meant to be supportive and to find that they have done something to threaten the Apostle Paul is nothing less than an attempt to discourage him. Yet he does not let this get him down.

The Apostle John dealt with a similar type problem. He says, "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." (3 John 9) Diotrephes not only loved to be in charge and in control, John says he was "prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (v. 10) Sometimes those in spiritual and governmental authority have to intervene. Johns says, "Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words. . ." Later John says in verse 14 that he would see Gaius shortly and no doubt he remembered the deeds of Diotrophes.

Perhaps the prayer request of the Apostle Paul is appropriate here, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. (2 Thess. 3:1,2)