2 Corinthians 1:8

My Notes

What Does 2 Corinthians 1:8 Mean?

Paul reveals to the Corinthians something he normally would not share: the severity of his suffering in Asia. He was pressed out of measure — beyond what could be measured. Above strength — beyond his capacity to endure. To the point where he despaired even of life itself.

The language is extraordinary for Paul — a man who boasted in weakness and rejoiced in suffering. Here he admits: we despaired of life. The pressure exceeded every human capacity for endurance. The situation was beyond rescue by any human means.

"We would not have you ignorant" — Paul is intentionally transparent. He wants them to know how bad it was. Not for sympathy. For theology — because the next verse (v.9) explains the purpose: that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.

The despair had a purpose: to eliminate self-reliance. When you are pressed beyond your own strength — when you have literally given up hope of survival — the only thing left to trust is the God who raises the dead. The extremity was designed to relocate trust.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What does Paul admitting despair reveal about the severity of what he endured?
• 2.How does being 'pressed above strength' serve the purpose of relocating trust?
• 3.What does 'God which raiseth the dead' as the object of trust mean for impossible situations?
• 4.Where has being pressed beyond your capacity taught you to trust something beyond yourself?

Devotional

We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. Paul — the apostle who endured beatings, shipwrecks, stonings — admits he reached the end. Pressed beyond measurement. Beyond strength. To the point of despair.

Despaired even of life. Paul thought he was going to die. Not metaphorically. Actually die. The situation in Asia was so severe that the man who survived everything else finally said: I am not going to survive this.

We would not have you ignorant. Paul tells them deliberately. Not to generate pity. To teach. The extreme suffering had a lesson embedded in it — a lesson that could only be learned at the bottom.

That we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead (v.9). The purpose of the despair: the elimination of self-trust. When every human resource is exhausted — when your own strength has failed, when your own survival seems impossible — the only thing left is a God who raises dead things.

The suffering was designed to relocate trust. From self to God. From personal capacity to resurrection power. You cannot learn to trust the God who raises the dead until you have been in a situation where nothing less than resurrection will save you.

Have you been pressed beyond measure? Beyond your strength? To the point of despair? The pressing was not pointless. It was purposed — to move your trust from the self that fails to the God who raises the dead. The bottom is where resurrection-trust is born.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture