1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us,
even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.
1:6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation.
If we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
1:7 Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that,
since you are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort.

1:8 For we don't desire to have you uninformed, brothers,
concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia,
that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power,
so much that we despaired even of life.
1:9 Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves,
that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,
1:10 who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver;
on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;
1:11 you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication;
that, for the gift bestowed on us by means of many,
thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.

• Developing one's perseverance
• Revealing the depth of one's convictions to oneself and others
• Helping to relate with those going through similar things

Paul found strength in the midst of circumstances he describes as ,"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure." But his strength was not found in his will or determination.  It is good for Christians to go through distressing circumstances, for as Paul says, "this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God." Whether we tend to rely on ourselves or on other people, we need to learn to rely on God, setting our hope upon Him to deliver us.

Intercession: God's ministry is synergistic. He works as we cooperate with Him. This is best seen when in comes to the way prayer is spoken of. Paul's asks for people to pray for him, implying that if they didn't, he wouldn't expect as good results. If God is going to do whatever He has decided, then why pray?  Because, contrary to Calvinism, you can influence God to decide what He is going to do. In His sovereignty, he has decided to allow Christians the right to be involved in deciding what He is going to do. That is His will. Of course, Christians don't command, but request in prayer, God having the final decision (just as the marriage relationship should work).

vs 12-20
Along with experiencing God's comfort, God also develops Christlike characteristics in us. Paul points out his holiness and sincerity in his manner of ministry, which he attributes to God working in his life. His sincerity is revealed by his frankness in communication. He doesn't have a hidden agenda. He is open and direct in his communication and speaks plainly.

Have you ever read Christian material written by proposed "spiritual leaders" or "spiritually mature Christians", which you had a hard time understanding because of they way they say things? Ever hear a sermon and at the end you fail to understand what the point was? Godly ministers, like Paul, make their preaching easy to understand. Because of the fears of offending people or the peer pressures of being politically correct, many will preach so unclearly or ambiguously that the only message that gets across is how unclear the message is. Like a piece of modern art, messages are subject to so much interpretation that people may go away assuming diametrically opposing views.

Christians should be clear, but secondly they should also be serious. In fact our seriousness drives our clarity of communication. Those who don't take the faith seriously are often vague. And when planning to do things particularly in Christian ministry we should not make a false boast or a polite lie. For we're Ananias and Sapphira put to death for doing so? (Acts 5) Yet often there is alot of this kind of thing going on in church politics, which I've observed in a number of churches.  But Paul was very sincere and serious about his plans and based them upon what he saw God was doing.

vs 21-24
What does God do in us through the Holy Spirit?

• He makes us stand firm in the faith. (True believers never fall away from the faith 1John 2:19)
• He anointed us with spiritual gifts for the purpose of doing ministry.
• He sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise:
• Eph 1:13,14 "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of his glory."

Paul's emphasis has been that he doesn't view himself working alone in his minstry to the Corinthians, as if God is on the sidelines like a coach giving commands. But rather God is in the game. He is the captain of the team. Paul decides not to visit Corinth because he is not needed much there at this time. Being too "helpful" is not helpful if you're trying to get others to rely on God. For they may become too reliant upon you.

Notice Paul's attitude in verse 24 "Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you." How different from the attitude of vast numbers of post-Biblical "clergy", who hold an elitist attitude towards their position over the "stupid sheep" that make up their congregations. Paul saw himself as a fellow-laborer along with he rest of the Christian community rather than an elite spiritual leader lording over the flock.

The last phase "by faith you stand firm" should really read "by faith you have been standing firm". The verb is in the perfect tense. It is because they have been standing firm that Paul decided not to visit them, for Jesus said that it is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick.  Is your church a healthy church? If so maybe you should think about ministering somewhere else!