For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of
our
trouble
The apostle was very desirous that the Corinthians might be
thoroughly acquainted with the trouble that had lately befallen
them; partly because it would clearly appear from hence what
reason he had to give thanks to God as he had done; and partly,
that they might be encouraged to trust in God, when in the utmost
extremity; but chiefly in order to remove a charge brought
against him by the false apostles; who, because he had promised
to come to Corinth, and as yet had not come, accused him of
lightness and inconstancy, in as much as he had not kept his
promise. Now to show that it was not owing to any such temper and
disposition of mind in him, he would have them know, that though
he sincerely intended a journey to them, yet was hindered from
pursuing it, by a very great affliction which befell him: the
place where this sore trouble came upon him, is expressed to be
in Asia: some have thought it refers to all the troubles he met
with in Asia, for the space of three years, whereby he was
detained longer than he expected; but it seems as though some
single affliction is here particularly designed: many
interpreters have been of opinion, that the tumult raised by
Demetrius at Ephesus is here meant, when Paul and his companions
were in great danger of their lives, ( Acts
19:21-41 ) , but this uproar being but for a day, could not
be a reason why, as yet, he had not come to Corinth: it seems
rather to be some other very sore affliction, and which lasted
longer, that is not recorded in the Acts of the Apostles: the
greatness of this trouble is set forth in very strong
expressions,
as that we were pressed out of measure.
The affliction was as an heavy burden upon them, too heavy to
bear; it was exceeding heavy, (kay' uperbolhn) , even to an "hyperbole", beyond
expression; and
above strength,
that is, above human strength, the strength of nature; and so the
Syriac renders it, (Nlyx
Nm) , "above our strength"; but not above the strength of
grace, or that spiritual strength communicated to them, by which
they were supported under it: the apostle adds,
insomuch that we despaired even of life;
they were at the utmost loss, and in the greatest perplexity how
to escape the danger of life; they greatly doubted of it; they
saw no probability nor possibility, humanly speaking, of
preserving it.