2 Corinthians 1:1-11 notes
He is the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort
“… so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction
Paul contrasts suffering and comfort. He does so by explaining that both produce patient endurance. Paul is hopeful in that though they share in suffering, he knows that they will also share in comfort
Something happened that made Paul worry for his life. They were overwhelmed with something (probably some sort of persecution) that caused them to fear for their lives
What should be emphasized here is that when this happened to Paul, he made the active decision not to trust himself-and probably run away-but rather he chose to trust in God because he believed that God would raise him from the dead if his work wasn’t finished.
Either way, Paul trusted God with his life, and his death. Additionally, in v10, he may be referencing God’s salvation from condemnation of his sins. He says, “He has delivered us from such a terrible death,” (perhaps Hell), and that he will deliver them [again].” Paul says that he was put his hope in God to be delivered from this danger as he was delivered before.Paul firmly believes that the prayers of the Corinthians will contribute to his deliverence. The gift that he references could be implied as the deliverence requested in the previous verses. Paul explains that there are many who would give thanks to God for those answered prayers, implying that there must be multiple lives on the line with Paul.
God is the God of all comfort and mercy, he allows people to suffer in a way that draws them closer to himself, and he does the same with comforting.
Hope is also a key theme in that Paul is confident in God’s deliverance of at least condemnation if not also for the situation he is dealing with in this context.
Fear of man v trusting God is also a theme. Paul gives an example of setting aside his trust in himself for the sake of trusting in God.
Lastly, prayer is a significant theme here in that Paul teaches that the prayers of many will bring about answers as a gift from God.