2 Corinthians 1:5

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. SUFFERINGS - in contrast with "salvation" (); as "tribulation" (of mind), with comfort or "consolation." OF CHRIST - (cf. .) The sufferings endured, whether by Himself or by His Church, with which he identified Himself, are "the sufferings of Christ" (; ; ; 1 John 4:17). Christ calls His people's sufferings His own -- (1) Because of the sympathy and mystical union...

5._For as the sufferings of Christ abound _— _This _statement may be explained in two ways — actively and passively. If you take it _actively, _the meaning will be this: “The more I am tried with various afflictions, so much the more resources have I for comforting others.” I am, however, more inclined to take it in a _passive _sense, as meaning that God multiplied his consolations according to the measure of his tribulations. David also acknowledges that it had been thus with him: According to the multitude, says he, of my anxieties within me, thy consolations have delighted my soul. (Psalms 94:19.) In Paul’s words, however, there is a fuller statement of doctrine; for the afflictions of the pious he calls the _sufferings of Christ, _as he says elsewhere,...

1-11 We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Saviour who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others. He sends comforts enough to support such as simply trust...

Verse 2 Corinthians 1:5. _THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST_] Suffering endured for the cause of Christ: such as persecutions, hardships, and privations of different kinds. _OUR CONSOLATION ALSO ABOUNDETH_] We stood as well, as firmly, and as easily, in the heaviest trial, as in the lightest; because the consolation was always proportioned to the trial and difficulty. Hence we learn, that he who is upheld in a slight trial need not fear a great one; for if he be faithful, his consolation shall _abound_, as his sufferings _abound_. Is it not as easy for a _man_ to lift one hundred pounds' weight, as it is for an _infant_ to lift a few _ounces_? The proportion of strength destroys the comparative difficulty....

FOR AS THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST ABOUND IN US - As we are called to experience the same sufferings which Christ endured; as we are called to suffer in his cause, and in the promotion of the same object. The sufferings which they endured were in the cause of Christ and his gospel; were endured in endeavoring to advance the same object which Christ sought to promote; and were substantially of the same nature. They arose from opposition, contempt, persecution, trial, and want, and were the same as the Lord Jesus was himself subjected to during the whole of his public life; compare Colossians 1:24. Thus, Peter says 1 Peter 4:13 of Christians that they were “partakers of Christ’s sufferings.” So our consolation also aboundeth by Christ -...

EXPOSITION Address and greeting (2 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:2). Thanksgiving for the comfort sent to him by God, wherein, as in his affliction which rendered it necessary, they sympathetically shared (2 Corinthians 1:3). He has earned a right to their sympathy by his sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:12). His change of purpose with respect to a visit to Corinth, with digression on the unchangeableness of the gospel (2 Corinthians 1:15). Explanation of his Reasons ...

FOR AS THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST ABOUND IN US,.... By "the sufferings of Christ" are not meant those which he suffered in his own person for the sake, and in the room and stead of his people, the fruits and effects of which abound to them, and in them; but those which he suffers in his members, or which they suffer for his sake; and which are said to "abound in" them, because of the variety and greatness of them; though not as if they were more or greater than what Christ suffered in his soul and body, when he was made sin and a curse for his people: yet notwithstanding the abundance of them, such is the goodness and grace of God, that he proportions comforts to them; as their afflictions increase, so do their comforts; as their sufferings for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, are more and greater, SO, says he, OUR CONSOLATION ABOUNDETH BY CHRIST: meaning, either that consolation which...

2 Corinthians 1:1. _Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,_ Paul is very careful to remind the Corinthians of that fact, since some of them had gone the length of denying his apostleship altogether. 2 Corinthians 1:1. _And Timothy our brother,_ Whom, in all humility, he associates with himself, although he was a younger man, of far less consequence; but Paul loved him very much, and therefore he put his name at the beginning of this Epistle side by side with his own: «and Timothy our brother,» 2 Corinthians 1:1. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: grace be to you and peace

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. TRUE MINISTRY AS MANIFESTED IN THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE APOSTLE. Chapter s 1-7 1. The Introduction CHAPTER 1:1-7 _ 1. The Salutation. (2 Corinthians 1:1)_ 2. The Thanksgiving. (2 Corinthians 1:3 .) After the opening words of salutation, the Apostle blesses God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. The Apostle had many trials and testings, as well as much suffering, and in all these depressing experiences, God had graciously ministered unto him. Therefore he blessed God in this outburst of praise. We can only bless God as we know Him. Trials, afflictions, sorrows and sufferings make God a greater reality to the believer and display His gracious favor towards

SALUTATION AND INTRODUCTION. 2 Corinthians 1:1 f. Timothy, whose approaching visit to Corinth had been announced in 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:11, is now again in Paul's company, and joins with him in salutation to all God's people in Greece (_cf. 2 Corinthians 9:2_). 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3. Thanksgiving for Divine comfort, leading (2 Corinthians 8) to a fuller account of his sufferings. Paul does not hesitate to speak of the Father as the God of our Lord Jesus Christ (see