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Afflicted With Purpose (2 Corinthians 1:3-11)

Scott Kercheville
07/06/14 - Sun AM

If our gospel is so glorious and our ministry of it so important, why do we suffer so many obstacles in proclaiming it? This summarizes the question Paul must answer in 2 Corinthians. Though Paul planted the Corinthian congregation in his first visit to Corinth, Paul’s second visit with the Corinthian congregation did not go well. Boasters had come into the congregation and led people astray by demeaning Paul’s ministry. “Paul isn’t much of a speaker. His presence is unimpressive. He won’t even accept pay from you Corinthians. People are always trying to kill him. Are Paul’s weak abilities really worthy a glorious gospel and ministry?” Such were the criticisms of those who boasted of themselves before the Corinthian Christians. The criticisms took hold. It is clear from 2 Corinthians that the congregation gave no defense of Paul. So the question causing the Corinthian Christians to question the very nature of gospel stood. If Paul’s gospel is so glorious, what is the meaning of all his afflictions? 

The same questions are asked of you and I today. Why do God’s people suffer? But haven’t you wondered this same thing yourself? If we give everything to spread the gospel, why do we experience lack, derision from the world, persecution, and death? How would you answer this question? Paul kicks off in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 with three bold answers as to the reason for our afflictions, persecutions, and weaknesses.