In the context of the Bible, "perils" refer to dangers, risks, or threats that individuals may face in their spiritual or physical lives. The concept of perils is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both the physical dangers encountered by God's people and the spiritual threats to their faith and obedience.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament is replete with accounts of perils faced by the Israelites and their leaders. These perils often came in the form of warfare, natural disasters, and divine judgment. For instance, the Israelites faced numerous perils during their exodus from Egypt, including the threat of Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:9-10) and the challenges of surviving in the wilderness (Exodus 16:3).

The Psalms frequently mention perils, often in the context of seeking God's protection. Psalm 91:3-6 speaks of deliverance from "the snare of the fowler" and "deadly pestilence," emphasizing God's role as a refuge and fortress against various dangers.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, perils are often associated with the trials and tribulations faced by the early Christians. The Apostle Paul provides a vivid account of the perils he endured for the sake of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:26 , Paul lists the dangers he faced: "in journeys often, in perils from rivers, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own people, in perils from Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils on the sea, in perils among false brothers."

The New Testament also addresses spiritual perils, warning believers of the dangers posed by false teachings and moral corruption. In 1 Peter 5:8 , Christians are admonished to "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Spiritual Significance

Perils in the Bible often serve as tests of faith and opportunities for spiritual growth. The faithful are encouraged to trust in God's protection and deliverance. In Romans 8:35-37 , Paul reassures believers that no peril can separate them from the love of Christ: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Divine Protection and Deliverance

Throughout Scripture, God's protection is a recurring theme in the face of perils. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's strength and promises. Psalm 121:7-8 declares, "The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore."

Conclusion

The concept of perils in the Bible underscores the reality of both physical and spiritual dangers in the lives of believers. Through these challenges, Scripture consistently points to God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the ultimate victory of those who trust in Him.

January the Ninth the Perils of Possessions
... JANUARY The Ninth THE PERILS OF POSSESSIONS. GENESIS xiii.1-9. There is
nothing more divisive than wealth. As families grow rich ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/january the ninth the perils.htm

The Widened Mission, Its Perils and Defences
... THE WIDENED MISSION, ITS PERILS AND DEFENCES. 'Behold, I send you forth
as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the widened mission its perils.htm

Perils to the virgins Themselves Attendant Upon Not-Veiling.
... Chapter XIV."Perils to the Virgins Themselves Attendant Upon Not-Veiling.
They report a saying uttered at one time by some one ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xiv perils to the virgins.htm

For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... CHAPTER 16 For the king there were three great perils: the people? For the king
there were three great perils: the people, Caesar, and his own family. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 16 for the king.htm

Second Sunday Before Lent
... was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night
and a day have I been in the deep; 26 in journeyings often, in perils of rivers ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday before lent.htm

Examples of True Eloquence Drawn from the Epistles of Paul and the ...
... 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 ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 7 examples of true eloquence.htm

In the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Again...
... 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 journeying often, in perils of waters, in ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 12 in the second.htm

Further Still, the Educated Man Observes that those Sections which ...
... and a day I have been in the deep." Next fourteen sections burst forth with a vehemence
which is most appropriate: "In journeying often, in perils of waters ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 13 further still the.htm

section 4
... 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 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 4.htm

Philippians i. 22-26
... forty stripes save one," "thrice" wast thou "beaten with rods, once" wast thou
"stoned" "a night and a day" thou hast "been in the deep, in perils of waters ...
/.../homily iv philippians i 22-26.htm

Perils (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Perils (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have
been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers ...
/p/perils.htm - 6k

Journeys (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 journeyings many times, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from kindred, perils from nations, perils in city, perils in wilderness ...
/j/journeys.htm - 10k

Journeyings (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 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 ...
/j/journeyings.htm - 8k

Travels (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city ...
/t/travels.htm - 9k

Rivers (81 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city ...
/r/rivers.htm - 32k

Bandits (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city ...
/b/bandits.htm - 7k

Countrymen (60 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city ...
/c/countrymen.htm - 26k

Robbers (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city ...
/r/robbers.htm - 14k

Kindred (41 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:26 journeyings many times, perils of rivers, perils of robbers,
perils from kindred, perils from nations, perils in city, perils in wilderness ...
/k/kindred.htm - 21k

Waters (386 Occurrences)
... wo'-terz (mayim, plural of may, "water"; in the New Testament hudor, "water"; kindunois
potamon (2 Corinthians 11:26), the King James Version "perils of waters ...
/w/waters.htm - 42k

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