Name some of the forms of tribulation that were keeping Paul in a state of suffering.

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Trouble, afflictions, perplexity, persecution—especially from the Jews, being struck down by people and circumstances.

Notice that these pains and problems were not coming on Paul as a judgment on his sins or to purge him from fleshly behavior. Rather, they were given so that the power of Paul’s ministry would come from God and not from Paul’s own abilities.

Paul was a helpless, suffering human being. But from the first century the Glory of God in Christ has poured through Paul’s writings until the fruit that has resulted passes human ability to measure.

In your estimation, how many people of the world have been saved, strengthened, or otherwise affected for good through the letters of the Apostle Paul?

We have mentioned the trouble, afflictions, perplexity, persecution, being struck down. These are the sufferings of Christ.

In the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans we are commanded to count ourselves as crucified with the Lord Jesus and risen with Him. Here, in the fourth chapter of II Corinthians, we see the crucifixion and resurrection worked out in daily life. Every one who suffers with Christ reigns with Christ. The power by which Christ rules is that of eternal, indestructible, resurrection life, the life that proceeds only from crucifixion with Christ.

The power of resurrection life insured that Paul was not bound, was not crushed, was not in despair, was not at a loss, was not forsaken, was not destroyed.