In 2 Corinthians, Paul opens his heart to the Corinthian Christians (2 Corinthians 6:11). He frankly reports the extreme severity of his trials (2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 4:8-12; 6:4-5; 11:23-28). He exposes his deepest feelings, including despair (2 Corinthians 1:8; 7:6), confusion (2 Corinthians 4:8), and distress (2 Corinthians 6:4).
Evangelism deals with people, and people are problematic, often frustrating. As Paul “spreads the fragrance” of Jesus, some people smell life and love it. Others smell death and hate it. How does one handle such contradictions? “Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). We often ask the same question: Are we up to such a struggle?