Paul’s encouragement for the church at Ephesus
‘Faint not at my tribulations or do not ‘lose heart over what I am suffering for you.’ The Apostle Paul writes these words differing some by translation [KJV or ESV].
διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐκκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἥτιςἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν – Ephesians 3:13
Do you lose heart when you or a loved one suffers? Do you faint at the thought of a loved one experiencing tribulations before their death?
Most of us have at least one hurting loved one who comes to mind. A leader esteemed by like-minded followers does not want them to give up over any trial he must endure. Understand Paul’s heart is compassion for his followers.
Tribulations θλῖψις
Paul’s choice of words from the Greek, thlipsis, paints familiar imagery to those who suffer. He chooses a metaphor for oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits; the picture of a pressing, pressing together or pressure. We recognize the tension of relationship when one suffers and another can do nothing about it.
Paul and the Apostles knew the pressure and persecution, as did the saints of the church. In fact, Jesus had used the same word of prophesy to the Apostles before His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Our Lord tells of the signs of the end of the age.
Prophesy of Christ Jesus
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Fellow believer and saint, do you sense this in these last days? What encouragement for the saints of the church of Ephesus at the beginning of these last days!
Jesus continues with the description a great tribulation:
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
Therefore, do not lose heart.
Paul, Peter, John, even our Lord Jesus Christ have written what must take place. Returning to Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, let’s close with the encouragement of his meaning.
‘Wherefore I desire that ye faint not… Ephesians 3:13a KJV
And what is it to faint from an enormous undertaking of faith? Faint ἐκκακέω ekkakeō – to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted.
Does this describe your battle? Paul, the one who has suffered for his witness of Christ calls on the saints of Ephesus to faint not. In Christ we must persevere, winning over the defeat of sin, suffering and death. Our suffering indeed becomes our glory through the Lord. Paul goes on to urge us to prayer.
Jesus speaks of it as well, adding in the same way that we must faint not and calling us to prayer.
Tribulations and the Dishonest Judge
Luke 17:33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
[ctt title=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” tweet=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” coverup=”9eI20″]
2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.
3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”
6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.
7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Our glory in Christ
When Jesus comes, will he find faith on earth? Will Christ find faith in Ephesus or in your city? Surely the Lord has declared your tribulations and suffering will come to an end.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 21:3-5a [KJV]
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,
and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
[ctt title=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” tweet=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” coverup=”EbKeq”]
Amen.
Or perhaps your warmest memories are from a special moment of a gift you gave to your own child, hugs of a Pooh Bear or love overflowing through a well-planned shared moment of opening a Christmas gift.
I have my Charlie Brown Christmas this year and Rudolph…
Yet this Christmas, even by your confession, I adjure you to embrace Jesus as your Lord; embrace Christ Jesus just as you would lovingly hold a baby in a manger.
4 
2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.