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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Who Is This Jesus? Part III

²⁵ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, ²⁸ he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
       ²⁹ “ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
      According to Your word;
       ³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation
       ³¹ Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
       ³² A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
      And the glory of Your people Israel.”

³³ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”   

³⁶ Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. –Luke 2:25-38