Paul was confident that he had accomplished God's appointed purpose for his life, even though he thought his ministry might be over.
While sick and despairing of life, Paul did not view his service as unfinished in the sense of failing God. He had done as much as God had appointed. Despite perplexity and suffering, he never gave up and trusted God's purposes.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 — Shows Paul's state of being troubled and perplexed yet not despairing, reflecting his confidence in God's sustaining power.
2 Corinthians 5:8 — Expresses Paul's willingness to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, a confidence even in the face of death.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, describes his trials: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair" (2 Cor 4:8). He further writes, "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life" (2 Cor 1:8). Yet he also declares, "So we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8). These verses reveal Paul's confidence in God's deliverance and his readiness to be with Christ, even amid suffering.
Les Feldick explains that Paul, lying sick in Philippi, believed his ministry had come to an end, yet he was perplexed but not in despair (Clip 0). Paul had unfinished business—people still to reach—but he was confident, willing to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (Clip 1). Les emphasizes that Paul's confidence rested in trusting God, who raises the dead, and that he had done all God appointed (Clips 2, 7). Despite suffering, Paul's life was not his own; he labored for the Lord (Clip 1). Les highlights that Paul's sickness and despair were part of God's purposes, and he never gave up (Clip 0, 3).
Les teaches that Paul was perplexed because he had been set apart to go to the Gentiles and knew he hadn't finished the work, yet he was not in despair because he trusted God's purposes. Even when asking 'why', he never gave up (Clip 0).
Les explains that Paul's physical weakness and near-death sickness came from bearing in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus, showing he suffered while serving. Yet it also provided an occasion for the life of Jesus to be displayed (per the existing summary, but not in clips). The clips show Paul despaired of life and thought his ministry would end (Clip 4, 7), and he suffered from sickness and pressure (Clip 6).
Paul was confident because he was willing to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, and he knew he had accomplished what God appointed. Les notes that Paul's life wasn't his own; he had paid the price and labored for the gospel (Clips 1, 5).
Paul's Perplexity and Perseverance
Les explains that Paul, recovering from sickness, was perplexed because he hadn't finished the work, yet he never gave up, showing his confidence in God's purposes.
Confidence in Being with the Lord
Les teaches that Paul, on his sickbed, was confident and willing to die, but also aware of unfinished business, so he labored because his life wasn't his own.
Trusting in God Who Raises the Dead
Les highlights that Paul had the sentence of death in himself to trust not in himself but in God who raises the dead, a key to his confidence.
Triumph Despite Distress
Les notes that Paul was pressed down yet always triumphant, showing his confidence in God's enabling even in suffering.
Sickness and Despair of Life
Les describes Paul's deathly sickness at Philippi, where he despaired of life and thought his ministry had ended, yet it was part of his trials.
Willing to Be Absent from the Body
Les emphasizes Paul's confidence in being present with the Lord, despite years of suffering and martyrdom, showing his eternal hope.
Suffering and Sickness
Les shows Paul suffered not only from enemies but also from sickness, adding to his trials and need for confidence in God.
Despairing of Life but Trusting in God
Les points out that Paul despaired of life itself, but his confidence was in the Lord who delivers, showing his trust in God's strength.
2 Corinthians 4:8: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Shows Paul's external pressures and internal perplexity, yet he was not in despair, reflecting his confidence.
2 Corinthians 4:9: Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Demonstrates that despite persecution and being cast down, Paul was not forsaken or destroyed, highlighting his confidence.
2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Directly states Paul's confidence and willingness to die, being with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 1:8: For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
Reveals the severity of Paul's affliction, leading to despair of life, which he later saw as a lesson to trust in God.
2 Corinthians 1:9: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Explains that Paul's near-death experience taught him to trust in God's resurrection power.
Paul was confident that he had done all God appointed and was willing to die to be with the Lord, trusting in God's deliverance even in suffering.
Yes, he knew there was unfinished business and people to reach, but he did not see it as failing God; he had accomplished God's purpose.
He trusted in God who raises the dead and was willing to be absent from the body to be present with the Lord, showing his confidence was in God's power and presence.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Suffering and Glory