Why does Paul recount all his sufferings in 2 Corinthians?
Paul recounts his sufferings to decry the great cost he endured to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. These verses emphasize that he suffered much for their sake, highlighting the heartache when those he had poured his life into later turned away from his gospel.
Les explains that these verses in 2 Corinthians are all just decrying the fact that Paul had suffered so much to get the gospel to these Gentiles. He had started many churches in Asia Minor, yet by the time he was martyred, they had turned away from his gospel. That was a heartache because he had poured out his life, and those people turned their back on him. The results are evident: none of those little cities are left, while many areas in Greece remain. Paul's recounting therefore underscores the cost of his ministry and the tragedy of rejection.
More Questions
What hardships did Paul experience according to 2 Corinthians 11?
Paul personally endured times of nakedness, cold, heat with no relief, and thirst in his apostolic labors.
Is 2 Corinthians just Paul venting his own feelings or is it inspired by the Holy Spirit?
Second Corinthians is Holy Spirit inspired, not Paul merely expressing his own feelings of his own volition, and it is in Scripture for a purpose.