Paul's Suffering and Sincerity

2 Corinthians 1:6-14

I. Paul Illustrates the Value of both Suffering and Comfort 1:6-7

Because Paul was willing to preach and suffer persecution, the Gentiles in general and the Corinthians in particular had the gospel preached unto them. See Isaiah 40:1-11

II. The Magnitude of Paul's Suffering v. 8-9a

Phillips: We were completely overwhelmed, the burden was more than we could bear, in fact, we told ourselves, this is the end!

III. The Disease this Suffering Helped Prevent – Self-Trust v. 9b

IV. The Three-fold Deliverance of God v. 10

V. The Prayers of the Saints v. 11

God has commanded us to pray for one another.
Prayer teaches us our unworthiness.
Prayer is a great benefit to our souls!
There is the thankfulness that comes from answered prayer

VI. Paul's Simplicity and Sincerity v. 12-14

v. 12 – simplicity = honesty or singleness of purpose
      sincerity = pure motives
The opposite of simplicity is duplicity.   Duplicity = deceit, 

deception, dishonesty, unfaithfulness, treachery, fraud, or betrayal