After writing the letter of 1 Corinthians, Paul hears again that the church in Corinth is struggling to live out the gospel. He makes a "painful visit" to them followed by a "severe letter" which brings grief to both the church and Paul. After hearing that they responded favorably to his harsh letter, Paul pens 2 Corinthians to address some residual issues and to validate his apostleship and ministry since it has come into question by some "Super Apostles" who see Paul's afflictions and weakness as a sign that his apostleship is not legitmate. Paul's response becomes a beautiful picture of the "cruciform" life in which afflictions and weaknesses are used by God to display His strength and glory as Paul expounds that His grace is sufficient and God's power is made perfect in weakness. Rather than boast in strength, Paul urges his reader to boast in weakness that the power of Christ may rest on him.  As we share in Christ's sufferings, we display the gospel to the world.