The Sufferings of Christ Abound in Us 2 Corinthians 1:5

Paul the apostle wrote to the church members in Corinth about how God,“comforts us in all our tribulation” so that we might “be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”. In chapter one and verse five of Second Corinthians, Paul shared how, “the sufferings of Christ abound in us”, where we read:

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.

The verse begins, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “as the sufferings” or “like and in the same manner of misfortune, calamity, evil and affliction” “of Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “abound in us” or “to exceed a fixed number of measure and above a certain number or measure”. Paul noted the “calamities and afflictions” he and his companions faced as they ministered the “gospel of Jesus Christ”.

The verse goes on to say, “... so our consolation also abounds by Christ.” Paul added the words, “so our consolation” which means “that Paul and his companions' summons, importation, supplication and entreaty” “also” or “even and indeed” “abounds” which means “exceeds a fixed number of measure and above a certain number or measure” “by Christ” or “through the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Paul and his companions' “supplication and entreaty” “abounded” through Jesus Christ.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how he understood that he and his companion's sufferings, though abundant, produced their “supplication and entreaty” for others. Jesus Christ allows “suffering” to come into believers' lives so they will produce an abundant desire to “identify” with others. Jesus “comforts” us in our “tribulations”, and this produces an abounding care for others in need.

Next time Paul shares how, “whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.