8. Why did fellow Jews hate Paul and even want to kill him?

⁸ In dangers from my own race: Paul was preaching about an impaled and resurrected Messiah, who was rejected by his own countrymen in general. (1 Corinthians 1:22-24; 2:2) Moreover, he taught that a person would be declared righteous, not by works of the Mosaic Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:20; 5:18-21; 6:14) Hence, fellow Jews considered Paul an apostate, hated him, beat him and even wanted to kill him. (Acts 9:23-25) Those of his own race also seemed upset because he was winning over to Christianity some Gentiles that the Jews had sought to make proselytes to their own religion.​—Matthew 23:15; Acts 17:1-10.

9. What “dangers from the nations” did the apostle face, but did such perils silence him?

⁹ In dangers from the nations: Gentiles, or people of the nations, also persecuted Paul. (Acts 19:11-41) In fact, his Jewish foes sometimes incited Gentiles to violent action against the apostle. (Acts 14:1-7, 19, 20) However, such dangers from Jews and Gentiles never silenced that fearless Kingdom proclaimer. Similarly, persecuted Christian witnesses of Jehovah today fearlessly preach among people of their own race and others.​—Acts 17:30; compare Psalm 59:1-4.

10. How was Paul endangered “in the city”?

¹⁰ In dangers in the city: In one way or another, Paul was persecuted in such cities as Damascus, Jerusalem, Lystra and Ephesus. (Acts 9:23-30; 14:19; 19:29-31) Gentile opposers at Philippi said that Paul and Silas were ‘disturbing their city.’ As a consequence, those evangelizers became victims there of mob action, beatings and imprisonment. (Acts 16:16-24) But this did not stop those Kingdom proclaimers, even as similar violence has not silenced Jehovah’s Witnesses in our day.

Imperiled by “False Brothers”

13, 14. (a) Who were the “false brothers”? (b) Why were the “false brothers” especially dangerous? (c) How have Jehovah’s Witnesses been fortified spiritually for defense against “false brothers” who may infiltrate congregations?

¹³ In dangers among false brothers: Most dangerous of all, and doubtless especially trying to Paul, were treacherous “false brothers” or “pseudo-brothers.” (The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures) Such persons have been found among Christ’s followers since the time of traitorous Judas Iscariot. In Paul’s day these “false brothers” may have included Corinth’s “superfine apostles.” “False brothers” were especially dangerous because they treacherously posed as friends while they were actually disloyal traitors. Such men were trying to find some accusation against Paul.​—2 Corinthians 11:5, 12-14; compare Daniel 6:4, 5.

¹⁴ Among the “pseudo-brothers” were those active in “the congregations of Galatia.” But Paul never yielded to such men, “in order that the truth of the good news might continue with” his fellow believers. (Galatians 1:1, 2; 2:4, 5; compare Jude 3, 4.) As Jehovah helped Paul, He has fortified His present-day witnesses spiritually so that “the truth of the good news” continues with them. In such writings as the divinely inspired letters to Corinthian and Galatian believers, they find spiritual aid needed for defense against “false brothers” who may infiltrate congregations.

19. Under what circumstances may Paul have endured “cold and nakedness”?

¹⁹ In cold and nakedness: The hardships of cold and comparative “nakedness,” or “exposure,” were also endured by the apostle. (The New English Bible) But he was not “scantily clothed” because of laziness. Paul worked to provide for his needs. (1 Corinthians 4:11, 12; compare Acts 20:33, 34.) “Cold and nakedness” were hardships the apostle endured while inadequately clothed during persecution, when traveling in inclement weather or while engaging in the ministry under difficult circumstances.