Suffering for Christ, Consolation through Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ⁷ And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

⁸ For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹ Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, ¹¹ you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. -2 Corinthians 1:3-11

1:5. So our consolation also aboundeth by Christ: As the problems increase, so does the consolation. Both, in this case, are measured by this experience of Christ (cf. Luke 24:26; 46, Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24; 1 Peter 1:11). Paul’s use of the terms abound and abundant is significant throughout this epistle. 

1:6, 7. Many ancient manuscripts differ in the order of the clauses in these verses. But the sense in every case is basically the same: “If we are afflicted it is for your good, or if we are comforted it is for your good.” Everything else in these verses is subordinated to these two main ideas. Paul does not glory in suffering in itself. But he knows that suffering for Christ identifies us with Him and His church (cf. Rom. 8:17).

(taken from the King James Study Bible)

Christ Jesus allows us to suffer to strengthen us, to help others, and to bring Glory to Him, but with that suffering, He sustains us and gives us His peace, joy and comfort. When we are hurting, it gives us great peace when a brother (or sister) comes along who has been, or is, where we are. We don’t find joy in their pain but we do gain strength in knowing that we are not alone in this. 

We are to bear one another’s burdens.

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

–Proverbs 27:17

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