It has long been recognized that we can learn a lot about a person when we see how he responds to pressure. Look at Paul while in prison. There is much to be learned as we study the life of the great apostle Paul.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, 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. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me (presseth upon my daily), the care of all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
His Pen
Though Paul was in prison, he would not allow prison to rob him of his pen. Just think how poor this world would be without his prison epistles, among which is the great Book of Philippians (Philippians 1:1).
His Preaching
Paul would not let prison rob him of or hinder him in his preaching in the palace or throughout the whole Praetorian Guard (Philippians 1:13).
His Prayers
You can learn much about a person from his prayer life. Paul was a praying man. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment” (Philippians 1:3-4, 9).
His Plan to Press on Toward the Prize
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
Peaceful Passing
Neither could prison rob Paul of the hope of his peaceful passing. When time would finally come for him to leave this world, he could truthfully say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:21, 23). “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
