Why was Paul perplexed in 2 Corinthians 4?
Paul was perplexed because, though set apart at Damascus to go to the Gentiles and having done much, he knew his work was unfinished. Christianity was still in its infancy and attacked from every direction. He wondered why such troubles came, yet he did not despair, trusting God's own purposes.
Les explains that Paul had just gotten up from a sickbed in Philippi, actually thinking his ministry had come to an end and that God was taking him off the scene, but He did not. Paul writes that they were troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair. Les says Paul was perplexed because he had been set apart way back in Damascus to go to the Gentile, and he knew he had not finished the work. Christianity was still in its infancy and was being attacked from every direction imaginable. Like believers today, Paul could ask, “God, why?” but God has His own purposes. Even though he was perplexed, he never gave up and did not throw in the towels. He was persecuted and driven from city to city, but not forsaken; the Lord promised him in Corinth that He had much people in that city, so Paul should not run from the enemies.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;