Verse 4 Paul's life stood as a witness and letter of recommendation. Instead of hindering him, it showed how completely he believed what he said. Paul had quietly suffered knowing that a day of reward would come (Matthew 10:22). "Afflictions" may be the general persecution of the church with "necessities" being the want caused by these. "Distresses" would convey the idea of times when one is pushed into a corner where no human help will get him out.

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