The news which he received, of apostasy in churches of his own planting, caused him deep anguish. He greatly feared that his efforts in their behalf would prove to have been in vain. Many a sleepless night was spent in prayer and earnest thought, as he learned of the new and varied methods employed to counteract his work. As he had opportunity, he wrote to the churches, giving reproof, counsel, admonition, and encouragement, as their state demanded. In his epistles the apostle does not dwell on his own trials, yet there are occasional glimpses of his labors and sufferings in the cause of Christ. Stripes and imprisonment, cold and hunger and thirst, perils by land and sea, in the city and in the wilderness, from his own countrymen, from the heathen, and from false brethren,—all these he endured for the truth’s sake. He was defamed, reviled, “made the offscouring of all things,” “perplexed, persecuted, troubled on every side,” “in jeopardy every hour,” “alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake.” {LP 147.3}

De nyheder som han fik, frafald i de menigheder som han selv havde plantet, gjorde ham dyb smerte. Han frygtede meget at hans anstrengelser for deres skyld, ville vise sig forgæves. Der blev tilbragt mange søvnløse nætter i bøn og alvorlig eftertænksomhed, og han lærte de nye og forskellige arbejdsmetoder, der blev brugt for at modvirke hans arbejde. Eftersom han havde lejlighed til det, skrev han til menighederne, og gav irettesættelse, råd, formaning og opmuntring, efter situationen. I sine breve dvæler apostlen ikke ved sine egne trængsler, alligevel er der spredte glimt af hans arbejde og lidelser i Kristi sag. Slag og fængsling, kulde, sult og tørst, farer på land og hav, i byen og i ørknen, fra sine landsmænd, fra hedningene, og fra falske brødre, - hade alle holdt ud for sandhedens skyld. Han blev bagvasket, “blevet i alles øjne et udskud" "rådvild, forfulgt og betrængt fra alle sider," "i fare enhver stund," "altid overgivet til at dø for Jesu skyld."