Verses 1-7
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One of the reasons why we go through hardships, and are comforted by God in them, is so that we learn to comfort others who are going through hardships of their own.
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But whether we are suffering or comforted, it is always to help us be better servants to others.
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Understand that through your times, whether hard or easy, God is teaching you things that you will be able to use to help others. Be watchful for what you can learn in all situations and be thankful for all situations!
Verses 8-11
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There may be times when we go through things so hard, and experience so much turmoil, that it's difficult to believe we'll live through it.
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Paul and his companions experienced this through persecutions.
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But it is during these times that we truly learn to rely on God for life. When you are close to death, that's when your faith is truly tested.
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Afterward, when we are delivered from death, then our trust is strengthened.
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Again, be thankful for hard times, as they are useful for refining and strengthening your faith (1 Peter 1:6-7).
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Verse 11. As God delivered Paul through other people's prayers, know that God uses the prayers of believers to deliver us from troubles (Acts 12:5-10, Romans 15:30-31).
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Remember that praying will always make things better, and not praying will always make things worse. Pray always!
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Verses 12-14
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Verse 12. Paul kept his message and his life simple and sincere. He didn't try to persuade anyone with human intelligence, but he relied on God's grace (1 Corinthians 2:4).
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Focus your life and teaching on the gospel—Christ, His death and resurrection, and His walk (1 Corinthians 2:2), and truly care about people. Don't make things complicated!
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Verses 13-14. As a result, his teaching and writing were straight-forward and able to be understood by the churches. He did not write anything that they could not understand.
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When you communicate or teach, speak what your audience will understand and be able to receive. Don't speak what will be beyond their level of understanding.
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In another way, don't teach on matters that are outside of what can be found/read in Scripture. Don't teach on what you can't point to in the Word.
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Verses 15-20
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Just as God keeps His Word, Paul kept his.
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Simply put, do what you say you're going to do. Don't do some things you say you're going to do, but not others. Be consistent.
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This glorifies God and even encourages others to trust in God's Word also.
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Verses 21-22
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Verse 21. God has called us to the higher purpose of glorying His name. Live for this ultimate cause in everything, and rejoice in this!
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Verse 22. Understand that having the Spirit is God's promise to us—His guarantee—that we will be saved and will be in His kingdom (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30).
Verses 23-24
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Paul says that he did not come in person earlier, writing to them instead, because if he came in person he would have had to sharply rebuke them (1 Corinthians 4:21)—something he didn't want to have to do.
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In this statement, he isn't saying he would rebuke them as a way of dominating or controlling them. In everything, he does what he does to help them in growing their faith and their joy.
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Say and do everything for the purpose of helping the person you're dealing with in becoming more obedient to God. Even if you must speak hard truths, speak because you care and want to help them!
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More than anything, do for others what will be most helpful for their faith and growth! Since people live well by their faith in Christ, serving the growth of their faith is the best way to serve!
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