Why did Paul have to go through so much suffering and turmoil?
Paul was brought into suffering and turmoil so that Gentiles could receive the tremendous Gospel of the Grace of God. His trials were tied to his unique apostleship and defense of that authority, even though he did not walk with Christ in Palestine, and to the message that believers are under Grace, not Law.
Les explains that this man was brought into all of this suffering and turmoil so that Gentiles can have the tremendous Gospel of the Grace of God. This is the heart of the New Testament from Romans through Hebrews. In 2 Corinthians, Paul must defend his apostleship and apostolic authority even though he did not walk with Christ up and down the roads of Palestine. A second major point is that we are not under Law but under Grace. These themes are preeminent in his writings, not only to the Corinthians but also in the letters that follow.