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.
Les teaches that Paul's trouble came in Asia, where he was pressed out of measure and above strength, so that he despaired of life. Les explains Paul did not think he would live to finish his ministry. He notes the cause could have been physical sickness or outside pressure from various forces, whether Romans or Judaizers. Les connects this to verse 9, where Paul had the sentence of death in himself so he would not trust in himself but in God who raises the dead. Les also says early believers were under constant pressure but had the promise that the Lord permitting the affliction also had strength to bring them through.
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:
More Questions
What kinds of trouble caused Paul to despair of life?
The source of Paul's crushing pressure could have been physical sickness, outside pressure from various forces, the Romans, or the Judaizers, and it brought him almost to the point of despairing even of life.
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.