What kinds of troubles caused Paul to despair of life?
Paul despaired of life under troubles in Asia that pressed him out of measure and above strength. These included possible physical sickness and outside pressure from forces such as the Romans or Judaizers, so he thought he might not live to finish his ministry.
Les explains that the early believers lived under constant pressure, yet the Lord who permitted the affliction also had strength to bring them through it. In verse 8, Paul speaks of trouble that came to them in Asia, being pressed out of measure, above strength, so that they despaired of life. Les says Paul did not think he would live to finish his ministry. The cause could be physical sickness or outside pressure from the various forces already alluded to, whether Romans or Judaizers, until he almost despaired even of life. Verse 9 adds that they had the sentence of death in themselves, so they would not trust in themselves but in God who raised the dead, delivered them from so great a death, and will yet deliver. Les compares Paul's mental attitude in trials to what Peter and the other apostles must have experienced at the crucifixion, especially regarding the resurrection.
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
What caused Paul's trouble that made him despair even of life?
Paul's trouble came in Asia, where he was pressed out of measure and above strength, so that he despaired even of life. The affliction may have been physical sickness or external pressure from Romans or Judaizers, making him think he would not live to finish his ministry.
What did Paul mean when he said he despaired of life in Asia?
Paul meant the affliction in Asia pressed him beyond measure and above his own strength, so he despaired of life itself. He did not expect to live to finish his ministry. The pressure may have been sickness, Roman opposition, or Judaizer persecution, but God delivered him, teaching him to trust in God who raises the dead.
More Questions
What did Paul mean when he said he despaired of life in 2 Corinthians 1:8?
When Paul said he despaired of life, he meant he did not think he would live long enough to finish his ministry.