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sufferings which we also suffer: and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are
partakers of the sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort."
Having made this clear, Paul straight away draws attention to a great test that he had
recently passed through:
"For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell
us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that
we despised even of life" (1: 8 R.V.).
Whatever this may mean, it must have been very serious, for `pressed out of measure'
A.V., or `weighed down exceedingly' R.V., indicate that he was like a beast of burden
crushed beneath a very heavy load, so that he regarded immediate death as a certainty.
Some think this referred to the uproar at Ephesus described in Acts 19: 23-41, but there
is no suggestion in this context that Paul was in any personal danger at this time. It is
possible that he is recalling a severe illness which nearly proved fatal. In any case we
should remember that the experience to which he refers was not unique, for in 11: 23 he
states that he was `in death oft', such was the cost that this man had to pay for faithful
witness for the Lord.
As he looked back on this terrible experience, he could see one reason at least why the
Lord permitted it, and that was for him to realize his own utter helplessness and to trust in
the "God which raiseth the dead" (verse 9). This is one of the great lessons stressed in
this epistle, and one that we must all learn and practice, that is to have `no confidence in
the flesh', but every confidence in the risen and ascended One Who has conquered death.
The power that vanquishes death is a limitless power that can accomplish anything, and
Paul not only looks back to a wonderful deliverance, but forward to future testings and
says "He will deliver" (verse 10 R.V.), and upon this he sets his hope, assisted by the
intercession of the Corinthian saints, `ye also helping together on our behalf by your
supplication' (11 R.V.).
We have on other occasions stressed the importance of the ministry of continual
intercession for others. There is no doubt that this is a vital part of Christian witness and
service behind the scenes. This is prayer in the highest sense, where self is forgotten and
the needs of others become paramount. Furthermore it is a service that all can engage in
and we commend this to every reader of The Berean Expositor who loves the Truth. Do
not think it is wasted time, or that other forms of service are more practical. Intercession
along the lines of the Lord's will accomplishes things for Him and for the Lord's people.
There is abundant testimony that Paul valued highly the prayerful remembrances of
the churches. He could say "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your
prayer . . . . ." (Phil. 1: 19); ". . . . . For I trust that through your prayers I shall be given
unto you" (Philemon 22), so let us labour in prayer for one another, and when such prayer
is answered, it will result in praise and thanksgiving which will redound to the glory of
God. This is the sense of verse 11 in the chapter we are studying. Many persons prayed
for the gift bestowed upon the Apostle and many gave thanks for the answer.