“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:8-9).

Paul faced every imaginable obstacle to his ministry. He was the focus of a riot in Thessalonica, he was imprisoned unjustly in Philippi and he was finally executed in Rome. Tormenters followed him from city to city stirring up opposition to him and his message. Just to look at the problems he faced would lead one to think that Paul’s mission was unsuccessful.

Yet, he took the gospel from Asia to Europe, he planted churches that changed the world and he wrote letters we still read and study. Much of what we know about our faith was shaped by his communication with the churches of his day.

Two things are clear from looking at Paul’s life. First, the heart of his message was about Jesus. “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead….” Second, nothing could stop him and his influence. No matter what adversity he faced his message was clear, powerful and effective. That’s good to know when we face challenges. Paul knew that “God’s word is not chained” even though he was.