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: Referring to the imminent risk of life which he ran in Ephesus (Acts 19:23, etc.), when the whole multitude were worked up into a fury by Demetrius, on the plea of Paul having assailed the religion of Diana of Ephesus, and other like dangers. WE HAD THE SENTENCE OF DEATH IN OURSELVES - meaning that he looked upon himself as condemned to die. Alford thinks the danger at Ephesus so slight that it cannot be the reference here, without exposing Paul to a charge of cowardice; hence, he supposes some deadly sickness of Paul (2 Corinthia...

8._For I would not have you ignorant _He makes mention of the greatness and difficulty of his conflicts, that the glory of victory may thereby the more abundantly appear. Since the time of his sending them the former epistle, he had been exposed to great dangers, and had endured violent assaults. The probability, however, is that he refers here to the history, which Luke relates in Acts 19:23, though in that passage he does not so distinctly intimate the extent of the danger. As, however, he states that _the whole city was in a tumult, _(Acts 19:29,) it is easy from this to infer the rest. For we know what is the usual effect of a popular tumult, when it has been once kindled. By this persecution Paul declares he had been oppressed _beyond measure, _nay more, _above strength, _that is, so as not to be able to

1-11 We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Saviour who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others. He sends comforts enough to support such as simply trust...

Verse 2 Corinthians 1:8. _OUR TROUBLE WHICH CAME TO US IN ASIA_] To what part of his history the apostle refers we know not: some think it is to the _Jews lying in wait to kill him_, Acts 20:3; others, to the _insurrection raised against him by Demetrius and his fellow_ _craftsmen_, Acts 19:23; others, to his _fighting with beasts at Ephesus_, 1 Corinthians 15:32, which they understand _literally_; and others think that there is a reference here to some persecution which is not recorded in any part of the apostle's history. We were pressed out of measure, above strength

FOR WE WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT - We wish you to be fully informed; see the notes, 1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1. The object of Paul here is, to give a full explanation of the nature of his trials, to which he had referred in 2 Corinthians 1:4. He presumed that the Corinthians would feel a deep interest in him and in his trials; that they would sympathize with him, and would pray that those sufferings, and that this deliverance might be attended with a blessing 2 Corinthians 1:11; and perhaps he wished also to conciliate their kindness toward himself by men

EXPOSITION Address and greeting (2 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:2). Thanksgiving for the comfort sent to him by God, wherein, as in his affliction which rendered it necessary, they sympathetically shared (2 Corinthians 1:3). He has earned a right to their sympathy by his sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:12). His change of purpose with respect to a visit to Corinth, with digression on the unchangeableness of the gospel (2 Corinthians 1:15). Explanation of his Reasons ...

FOR WE WOULD NOT, BRETHREN, HAVE YOU IGNORANT OF OUR TROUBLE,.... The apostle was very desirous that the Corinthians might be thoroughly acquainted with the trouble that had lately befallen them; partly because it would clearly appear from hence what reason he had to give thanks to God as he had done; and partly, that they might be encouraged to trust in God, when in the utmost extremity; but chiefly in order to remove a charge brought against him by the false apostles; who, because he had promised to come to Corinth, and as yet had not come, accused him of lightness and inconstancy, in as much as he had not kept his promise. Now to show that it was not owing to any such temper and disposition of mind in him, he would have them know, that though he sincerely intended a journey to them, yet was hindered from pursuing it, by a very great affliction which befell him: the place where this so...

2 Corinthians 1:1. _Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,_ Paul is very careful to remind the Corinthians of that fact, since some of them had gone the length of denying his apostleship altogether. 2 Corinthians 1:1. _And Timothy our brother,_ Whom, in all humility, he associates with himself, although he was a younger man, of far less consequence; but Paul loved him very much, and therefore he put his name at the beginning of this Epistle side by side with his own: «and Timothy our brother,» 2 Corinthians 1:1. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: grace be to you and peace

2. PAUL'S EXPERIENCE AND EXPLANATIONS. CHAPTER 1:8-24 _ 1. His Experience. (2 Corinthians 1:8)_ 2. His Explanations. (2 Corinthians 1:15) The Apostle speaks, first of all, of the trouble he had when he was pressed out of measure (or “weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power”), in so much that he despaired of his life. What experience did he mean? The question cannot be positively answered. It may have been the trouble in Ephesus (Acts 19:1) to which he refers in 1 Corinthians 15:32, “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts in Ephesus .” Others think that it was

SALUTATION AND INTRODUCTION. 2 Corinthians 1:1 f. Timothy, whose approaching visit to Corinth had been announced in 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:11, is now again in Paul's company, and joins with him in salutation to all God's people in Greece (_cf. 2 Corinthians 9:2_). 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3. Thanksgiving for Divine comfort, leading (2 Corinthians 8) to a fuller account of his sufferings. Paul does not hesitate to speak of the Father as the God of our Lord Jesus Christ (see