Comment: St. Paul in the text for today mentions some of his ordeals in the work of God.  Five times he was held down and flogged, though within the bounds allowed by the law. (forty stripes, Deuteronomy 25:3) After St. Paul had healed a man at  Lystra, a multitude gathered  to worship them, an act which Paul and Barnabas did not delay in correcting. While there the devil brought some trouble-makers from Antioch who mobilized people to stone Apostle Paul and left him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But God revived him and he departed to another city to continue the work. “In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend” St. Paul. (2 Corinthians 11:32) At. Melita a viper bit him as he was warming himself in the fire but God delivered him. It is noteworthy that in spite of the challenges, St. Paul did not slacken his pace but continued with the word.  ((Matthew 24:12,13) Again we must highlight the protection St. Paul received in the journeys he underwent as an example for the people of God. See Isaiah 43:2. St. Paul stated: “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” -1 Timothy 4:10.