Why was Paul perplexed in 2 Corinthians 4:8?
Paul was perplexed because, after recovering from a sickbed in Philippi, he thought his ministry had ended, yet he knew he had not finished the work of going to the Gentiles. Christianity was still in its infancy and attacked from every direction, so he wondered why God would remove him.
Les explains that Paul had been set apart way back in Damascus to go to the Gentiles, and he knew he hadn't finished the work. Christianity was still in its infancy and was being attacked from every direction imaginable. So Paul was perplexed, just as believers today sometimes ask God why. But God has His own purposes. Even though perplexed, Paul never gave up or threw in the towel. He was persecuted and driven from city to city but not forsaken, and the Lord promised him in Corinth that He had much people in that city.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;