Such is the closeness

of his identification with Christ that, as Christ suffered 'for' (hyper) others (as in 5:21), so too did Paul. Paul has been afflicted for (hyper) the Corinthians' 'comfort and salvation' (1:6); he has been 'spent for (hyper) [their] souls' (12:15). Paul does not use the specific language of 'imitating' Christ in this letter, as he does elsewhere, but the idea is present."
Paul Barnett

Paul, Missionary of Jesus
ISBN 978-0-8028-4891-8