False teachers in Corinth boasted of their skills and power.  Paul, who rarely showed his personal reactions to hostility, admitted that the only thing he could boast about was his weakness.  His body struggled when savagely beaten, exposed to the elements, often tired and hungry and cold.  Imprisoned, shipwrecked, lashed, and often near to death (2 Corinthians 11:23-29), the apostle understood a little of how the Lord Jesus felt, describing his experiences as "the fellowship of His sufferings" and was even willing to die for Jesus and the gospel (Philippians 3:10).

The dangers of spiritual pride are close to all of us. One compliment, one achievement, one dramatically answered prayer or personal revelation … and we become full of either praise or pride. Paul understood that. After some extraordinary revelation from God fourteen years previously, the apostle was attacked. We do not know if this was an illness or a very troublesome person, but his thorn in the flesh was profoundly tormenting. He recognised that God had allowed Satan to disturb his peace and sense of well-being, so that he would not become conceited.

Paul founded the church in Corinth, staying there over a year and a half.

Paul loved the church in Corinth.