Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 1:8-11”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”
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“We do not want you to be unaware” (verse 8). We cannot afford to be “ignorant” when it comes to the word and will of God! Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, went to great lengths to keep people informed about the spiritual things that were pertinent to their soul’s wellbeing and salvation. He informed the Corinthians that he had often suffered greatly while teaching and preaching the truth in the province of Asia. Paul was exposed to great harm at the instigation of Demetrius the silversmith in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41); and he went as far as to say that he “fought with wild beasts” while he was staying in that city (1 Corinthians 15:32). He willingly risked his health and life to help people learn the truth and go to heaven, and people need to know about that.
Paul said that he and his companions were “burdened excessively, beyond our strength” (verse 9). Sometimes the burdens of life are just too great to bear by our own strength. That’s why the Apostle Paul tells us to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The truth is that we all need help sometimes when we are overloaded with a world of troubles and concerns. God has given us our brothers and sisters in Christ to help alleviate the weight and the pain. And, when we are burdened beyond our own ability to endure, that’s when it becomes clearly evident to us that only God’s strength can see us through (verse 10). And, even if we have to die for our faith in Christ, we can depend on the Almighty God of heaven to raise us from the dead by His awesome power and take us home to be with Him forever.
“You also joining in helping us through your prayers” (verse 11). We see the value, once again, of our spiritual family in Christ, to help keep us afloat when we feel ourselves sinking under the weight of our burdens. One thing that every one of us can do for a brother or sister in Christ who has fallen upon hard times, is pray for them. James 5:16 tells us that the effective prayer of a righteous man (person) accomplishes much. We can be brought safely through the storms of life through the providence of God and the prayers of good brethren.
Please read 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
