For Your Consolation and Salvation 2 Corinthians 1:6

Paul the apostle wrote to the church members in Corinth how,“the sufferings of Christ abound in us” which caused Paul and his companion's “consolation” also to “abound by Christ”. In chapter one and verse six of Second Corinthians, Paul shared the reason he and his companion's were “afflicted” as he wrote, “it was for your consolation and salvation”. We read:

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

The verse begins, “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: ...” Paul began with the words, “and whether” which means “and if” “we be afflicted” or “Paul and his companions were pressed, compressed, troubled and distressed”, “it is for” which means “their afflictions were on behalf of, over, beyond and for the sake of” “your consolation” or “the church members' calling near, summoning, importation, supplication, entreaty, admonition, encouragement, consolation, comfort and solace” “and salvation” which means “deliverance, preservation, safety, benefits and blessings”, “which is effectual” or “that is operative, at work, with power to aid and display one's activity” “in the enduring” which means “within the steadfastness, constancy, perseverance and patient waiting for” “of the same sufferings” or “of the like inward state, afflictions, passion and enduring under-goings” “which we also suffer” which refers to “that Paul and his companions even and indeed were affected by, felt, had a sensible experience with and underwent”. Paul considered the “afflictions” he and his companions incurred were “enduringly” “effective” and beneficial for the church members' “encouragement” and “preservation” in Christ Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “... or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” Paul added the words, “or whether” which means “or if” “we be comforted” or “Paul and his companions were called to one's side, summoned, admonished, exhorted, begged, entreated and beseeched”, “it is for” which means “the comfort was on behalf of and for he sake of” “your consolation” or “the church members' calling near, summoning, importation, supplication, entreaty, admonition, encouragement, consolation, comfort and solace” “and salvation” which refers to “deliverance, preservation, safety, benefits and blessings”. Paul declared both “afflictions” and “comfort” were for the enduring benefit of the church members in Corinth.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how he found “benefit” within he and his companion's “afflictions”. Paul suffered many things for the “gospel of Jesus Christ”, and through those “conflicts and troubles”, the Corinthian church members were “benefited”. Suffering is never easy, and many people question why there should be “suffering” at all, however, we do not always know the entire plan or “benefit” of our sufferings. Jesus Christ came to “seek and to save” that which was “lost” for all of eternity. He suffered, died and rose again for our “benefit”, our “consolation” and our “salvation”. When we suffer “afflictions, tribulations and troubles”, let us remember that Jesus also “suffered” for us, and He knows best concerning the “suffering” we often endure.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “our hope of you is steadfast” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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