The Scriptural Roots of the Hymn of St. Paul

St. Paul Preaching to the People of Berea

Facing danger at sea,

“Three times I was shipwrecked; I spent a night and a day in the open sea…” (2 Corinthians 11:25)

Also, read Acts 27:1 – 28:16 about St. Paul’s journey sailing to Rome while under arrest.

And fearful persecution,

“Five times I received from the Jews the 40 lashes minus one; three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned. I have been in danger from rivers, from bandits, from my own countrymen (Jews), from Gentiles…and from false brothers (fellow Christians). I have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and often gone without food. I have been cold and naked.” (2 Corinthians 11: 24-28)

“The crowd (in Philippi) joined in the attack against Paul and Silas and the magistrates ordered them stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged they were thrown into prison and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:22-24)

You became a chosen vessel of the Savior.

“The Lord said to Ananias: Go! This man is my chosen instrument (vessel) to carry my Name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my Name.” (Acts 9:15-16)

With your sermons you enlightened the nations

“On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city (Pisidian Antioch) gathered to hear the Word of God. When the Jews saw the crowds they were filled with jealousy and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed what Paul was saying. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: We had to speak the Word of God to you first, but since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles (nations), for this is what the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the Word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:44-48)

And to the Athenians you revealed the unknown God.

“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus (in Athens, near the Parthenon) and said: Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious, for as I walked around and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What, therefore, you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:20-23)

Teacher of the nations, St. Paul the Apostle,

“I was appointed a preacher and an apostle…a teacher of the Gentiles (nations) in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:7)

“Because of the grace God gave me to be a minister (liturgist) of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles (nations), with the priestly duty of proclaiming the Good News of God so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:15-16)

“Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle…” (Romans 1:1)

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God…” (2 Timothy 1:1)