of Jesus, and sought to live his life consistent with this constant expectation (1 Cor 1:8; 4:5). Paul had ample motivation for perseverance. Not only was he motivated to please God, who had given him the apostolic task, but he constantly had in view the people for whose sake he was suffering. As he looked ahead to the return of Christ, Paul considered the people from the churches that he has labored for to be his crown and glory (1 Thess 2:19–20). His sufferings reflected the sufferings of Christ