Why did Paul almost despair of life in 2 Corinthians 4?
Satanic opposition met the apostle from every direction as soon as his Gentile ministry began. In chapter 4 he grew weary, feeling that just as the gospel was getting off the ground, everything fell in on him. Being as human as anyone, he despaired even of life from his sickbed.
Les explains that as soon as Paul began his ministry among the Gentiles, he came under satanic opposition from every possible direction. By chapter 4, Paul had grown weary and almost despaired of life itself, because it seemed he was just getting the gospel off the ground and everything fell in on him. He was just as human as we are, and he despaired even of life itself from his sickbed. Les also notes that throughout the Corinthian letters Paul especially defended his apostleship, because the Judaizers claimed Peter, who spent three years with the Lord, was their spokesman, and other factions said the same.