Not Ignorant of Trouble 2 Corinthians 1:8

Paul the apostle told the Corinthian church members,“our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings”, and in chapter one and verse eight of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members how he, “would not... have you ignorant of our trouble which came”, where we read:

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:

The verse begins, “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “we would not” or “Paul and his companions did not have in mind, intend, desire or wish”, “brethren” which means “fellow believers who are united to others by the bond of affection ”, “have you ignorant” or “to not know or understand though mistake, error or wrong” “of our trouble” which refers to “of Paul and his companion's pressings, oppressions, afflictions, tribulations, distresses or straits” “which came to us” or “that began, received and happened” “in Asia” which refers to “the orient” or “Asia proper or proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today. Paul did not want the church members to be without knowing the “difficulties and afflictions” he and his companions endured while they were in “Asia”.

The verse goes on to say, “... that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:” Paul continued with the words, “that we were pressed out” which means “that Paul and his companions were weighed down, burdened and heavily oppressed” “of measure” or “in superiority, exceedingly, excellence and pre-eminence”, “above strength” which means “more and over power and ability”, “insomuch” or “so then, therefore and wherefore” “that we despaired” which means “to be utterly at loss, destitute of measures or resources, renounce all hope and be in despair” “even of life” or “also and indeed of active, blessed, powerful, active and efficacious full vigor”. Paul shared how he and his companions were “weighed down and heavily oppressed” beyond their own “strength” so much that the were “utterly at a loss” to “live”.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how his troubles and difficulties were beyond he and his companion's ability to handle, and they even were “utterly at a loss and in despair” concerning these trials. We might think it strange that Paul and his companions “despaired even of life”, however, they were men and not God. God Almighty through His Son Jesus Christ desires that everyone have a relationship with Him, and when we do, we shall not be exempt from “sufferings” that cause great “despair”. His promise is to be with us in and through them, and may we ever seek His presence in our troubles.

Next time Paul tells the church members how he and his companions, “had the sentence of death in ourselves” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.