Doors to a Better World
Illustration★★★★In the second epistle to the Corinthians, St. Paul says he sees before him doors leading to fields of high service and many adversaries who are determined that the doors shall be closed to him.
Moffatt translates the passage, “I have wide opportunities here for active service—and there are many to thwart me.” In the Twentieth Century New Testament the passage reads, “A great opening for active work has presented itself, and there are many opponents.” All of these translations agree that the Apostle Paul is saying he sees before him doors to great usefulness and hard by those who would close the doors.
Readers of the letters of St. Paul are struck by the fact that he never saw a closed door without resolving to get it open.
The point
Paul describes wide opportunities for ministry even when enemies try to close them; faithful Christians never let opposition stop their work.