Why did Paul want to leave the body and be with the Lord?
Because he had suffered for years for his apostolic work: Judaizers constantly opposed him, Roman authorities increasingly pressured Christianity, and he endured sickness, beatings, and scourgings, even anticipating martyrdom. Under those burdens, he was anxious to depart the body and be present with the Lord.
Les teaches that Paul's desire was shaped by his long, painful circumstances. Paul had suffered for years because of his apostolic work. The Judaizers were constantly after him, trying to destroy his work, and in time the pagan Romans began to come down upon Christianity. Paul also suffered sickness and pain from beatings and scourgings, and he knew he would suffer a martyr's death for the Gospel. With increasing pressure from Roman authorities against Christianity, Les explains, Paul was anxious to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.