Why does Les explain the background of Paul's travels and troubles?
The background is explained to show why Paul was under constant satanic attack. Satan opposed the gospel and the coming Redeemer, just as he has since Genesis 3:15, so Paul faced relentless opposition while traveling and preaching. This illustrates the spiritual conflict behind his troubles.
Les explains Paul's travels and troubles to show why this man was under such constant satanic attack. Paul had been forced out of Ephesus because of tremendous hatred for the gospel from the pagan followers of Diana, whose statue oversaw the whole city. After leaving Ephesus, he went north to Troas, ancient Troy, and evidently began a little congregation there; he was supposed to have met Titus, and it was Titus in chapter 2, verse 13. Les gives this background to reveal the satanic opposition behind Paul's circumstances. That opposition is nothing new: as soon as God made the classic statement in Genesis 3:15, saying the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent, Satan knew it meant a coming Redeemer. So Satan kicked in gear everything to prohibit the coming of a Redeemer for the human race.