When Paul opens his second letter to the Corinthians, he doesn’t start with doctrine. He starts with suffering, comfort, and prayer. This passage gives us a glimpse into the personal cost of gospel ministry and the beauty of how God uses suffering to encourage others.
Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church was complicated. These opening verses set the tone for a letter that’s both tender and urgent.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
- Why Paul refers to himself as “we” and why it matters
- The complicated backstory behind Paul’s letter
- How Paul sees his suffering as part of his ministry to others
- What true encouragement looks like—and where it comes from
- Why Paul asks for prayer, and what that reveals about Christian community
- How God meets us in affliction not to remove the pain, but to strengthen our hope
By listening, you’ll gain a richer understanding of 2 Corinthians and the heart behind Paul’s words. You’ll see how his story models gospel-shaped leadership—and how our own trials can become a source of comfort to others.
Suffering, Comfort & Prayer: What Paul Teaches About Ministry (2 Corinthians 1:1-11)
To understand 2 Corinthians, we need three key pieces of context:
- Paul often uses “we” to refer to himself. Sometimes he means “we apostles,” but often he means “I, Paul.” It’s important to understand who he’s referring to in each passage.
- Paul wrote a now-lost letter between 1 and 2 Corinthians. This current letter responds to how the Corinthians reacted to that missing letter.
- Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth was troubled. Some respected him, but others rejected his apostleship and questioned his sincerity.
See: How Many Letters did Paul write Corinth?
Paul’s Greeting: A Chosen Apostle
Paul opens by calling himself an “apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” That’s not just a formality. It’s a gentle but firm reminder to a church that doubted him: God chose Paul to speak for Christ. That calling didn’t come through popularity or persuasion—it came through divine appointment.
- Paul opens the letter by reminding the Corinthians that he is an apostle by the will of God—not by personal ambition.
- This introduction is significant because some in Corinth doubt his authority. Paul wants to clarify from the outset that his role is divinely appointed.
- Paul’s position is like that of an ambassador sent by a president to restore order in a disorganized branch. The local team claims to respect the president but rejects the ambassador’s authority.
- Paul’s defense is not about personal pride. It’s about preserving the authority of the message and the One who sent him.
Suffering, Comfort & Prayer
Paul praises God as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). But Paul isn’t just making a general theological point. He’s describing his own life. God has encouraged him in the midst of real affliction, and that encouragement wasn’t just for Paul—it was for the Corinthians too.
- God encourages us in our affliction, not always by removing it.
- Paul’s sufferings are part of his ministry; he endures them for the sake of the Corinthian believers.
- Encouragement becomes something we pass along. Paul is encouraged by God so that he can encourage others.
- Paul’s hardships in Asia were so severe that he “despaired of life itself.” But that forced him to rely fully on “the God who raises the dead.”
- Paul invites the Corinthians to join him in prayer—not to increase God’s willingness to act, but to share in the gratitude when God delivers.
Sufferings
- Paul describes intense suffering in Asia—so severe that he “despaired of life itself.”
- This experience taught him to rely on “God who raises the dead.”
- He shares this story to deepen his connection with the Corinthians and to invite them to join him in prayer and gratitude.
Comfort
- Encouragement is the process by which gospel truths become real and personal—moving from head knowledge to life-defining conviction.
- Trials are the means through which believers grow stronger in faith, like muscles strengthened by resistance.
- Watching others persevere can encourage us as well, as their faith becomes a testimony of God’s mercy.
Prayer
- Paul urges the Corinthians to join him in prayer—not because God needs multiple requests to act, but because shared prayer expresses shared love and trust.
- Prayer should not be viewed as a force that “builds pressure” on God to act.
- Instead, prayer is like a family gathering in compassion. Many voices lifted in love lead to many hearts sharing gratitude when God answers.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the historical and relational context of 2 Corinthians is essential to grasp Paul’s argument and tone.
- Paul’s suffering and God’s encouragement are not just private experiences—they are part of his ministry to others.
- Paul longs for the Corinthians to understand that his ministry is sincere, sacrificial, and grounded in love. He wants them to see that he suffers not to gain their approval, but to serve them in Christ.
- He wants them to know: encouragement is not just about feeling better. It’s about holding on, pressing forward, and passing on the hope we’ve received.
- Paul’s apostleship was God’s choice, not man’s. That gave him both authority and humility.
- Ministry often involves suffering—and that suffering can strengthen others when handled with trust in God.
- True encouragement comes through trials. It becomes real when tested.
- Prayer is not leverage; it’s love. We pray not to persuade God, but to stand with each other in faith and hope.
Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.
Next: 02 Why Paul Didn’t Visit Corinth and What That Means for Us (2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4)
Previous: Founding the Church in Corinth (Acts 18)
Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts
Resources to help you study: 2 Corinthians
Photo by the author
Season 26, Episode 1