Painful Impediments in Paul’s Work—A deep sadness still rested upon the mind and heart of Paul because of his apprehensions concerning the Corinthian church. While at Philippi he commenced his second epistle to them, for they hung as a heavy weight upon his soul. The depression of spirits from which the apostle suffered was, however, attributable in a great degree to bodily infirmities, which made him very restless when not engaged in active service. But when working for the salvation of souls, he rose superior to physical debility. He felt that the disease under which he suffered was a terrible impediment to him in his great work, and repeatedly besought the Lord to relieve him. God did not see fit to answer his prayers in this respect, though He gave him assurance that divine grace should be sufficient for him (Sketches from the Life of Paul, 175, 176).{6BC 1107.6}

Smertelige forhindringer i Paulus’ arbejde. - En dyb bedrøvelse hviler stadig på Paulus sind og hjerte på grund af hans bange anelser for korintermenigheden. Da han var i Filippi begyndte han med sit andet brev til dem, for de hang som en tung vægt på hans sjæl. Det nedslående humør som apostlen havde, kunne ikke desto mindre i høj grad tilskrives kropslige svagheder, som gjorde ham meget hvileløs, når han ikke var i aktiv tjeneste. Men når han arbejder for sjæles frelse, rejser han sig over den fysiske svaghed. Han følte at den sygdom han led af var en forfærdelig forhindring for ham i hans store arbejde, og hjemsøgte gentagende gange Herren for at lindre ham. Gud fandt det ikke rigtigt at besvare hans bønner i dette henseende, selvom Han gav ham forsikring om at den guddommelige nåde var nok for ham (LP 175, 176).