2 Corinthians 1:3-7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

True comfort. I. ITS SOURCE . God. Some seek comfort in reflecting that their case is no worse than that of others, that things will improve, that "it can't be helped;" in attempted forgetfulness; in exciting and dissipating pleasures; in unmeasured complaint and repining. But the child of God goes to his Father. God is the god of comfort; he is "the God of all comfort" ( 2 Corinthians 1:3 ). All mercies are of him, and this great mercy of comfort amongst others. Comfort is a ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Thanksgiving in the midst of tribulation; uses of sorrow; comforting others; personal references. The ascription begins with "blessed," the strongest term the apostle could employ as representing the highest and strongest emotions, the head-word in the vocabulary of gratitude and praise, found in the Old and New Scriptures, and common to Jews and Gentile Christians. "Blessed;" the best in us acknowledging the God of grace, an anthem in a single utterance, and embodying the whole nature of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Who comforteth us. The "us" implies here, not only St. Paul and Timothy, but also the Corinthians, who are one with them in a bond of Christian unity which was hitherto undreamed of, and was a new phenomenon in the world. St. Paul always uses the first person in passages where he is speaking directly of individual feelings and experiences. In other passages he likes to lose himself, as it were, in the Christian community. The delicate play of emotion is often shown by the rapid interchanges... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Comforted, and therefore comforters. It may seem strange that the Bible, and Christian ministers following its example, should deal so frequently and so largely with troubles and afflictions. You sometimes half suspect that Christian people must have a larger share of earthly sorrow than fails to the lot of others. We may admit a sense in which this is true. The higher susceptibilities of the Christian man, his clearer vision of unseen things, and his separateness from the world, do seem... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:5

As the sufferings of Christ abound in us; rather, unto us . "The sufferings of Christ" are the sufferings which he endured in the days of his flesh, and they were not exhausted by him, but overflow to us who have to suffer as he suffered, bearing about with us his dying, that we may share his life ( 2 Corinthians 4:10 ). The idea is, not that he is suffering in us and with us, but that we have "a fellowship in his sufferings" ( Philippians 3:17 ); Galatians 2:20 , "I have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:5

Christian suffering. It is correct to say that Christ suffered in order that we may not suffer, died that we may never die. "Christ suffered for us." But it is also correct to say that Christ suffered in order that we may suffer with him, and, following him in the path of self denial and patience, may be with him in his kingdom and glory. The apostles Paul and Peter regarded sufferings for Christ as continuations of the sufferings of Christ, and always looked, and taught their brethren to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:5

Christ's sufferings renewed in his disciples. "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us." We have expressed here a characteristic and familiar thought of the apostle's—the one which brought to him the fullest and deepest consolations. It is true, but it is too easily apprehended to be all the truth, that St. Paul's sufferings, borne in fulfilling his ministry, were Christ's sufferings because a part of his service; but the apostle evidently reached the unspeakably precious and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:6

And ; rather, but . The verse expresses the additional thought that the comfort ( i . e . encouragement and strengthening) of the apostle, as well as his affliction, was not only designed for his own spiritual training, but was the source of direct blessing to his converts, because it enabled him, both by example ( Philippians 1:14 ) and by the lessons of experience, to strengthen others in affliction, and so to further their salvation by teaching them how to endure ( Romans... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:6-11

Personal sufferings. "And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation," etc. The words suggest a few remarks concerning personal sufferings. I. THEY ARE OFTEN EXPERIENCED IN THE BEST OF ENTERPRISES . What a glorious enterprise Paul and his fellow apostles were engaged in!—nothing less than the restoration of mankind to the knowledge, image, and friendship of the great God. Yet how great their sufferings! "We were pressed out of measure, above strength,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:7

And our hope of you is steadfast; literally, And our hope is steadfast on your behalf . The variations of text and punctuation in the verse do not materially affect the sense. The meaning is "And I have a sure hope that you will reap the benefits of our common fellowship with Christ in his affliction, and of the comfort which he sends, because I know that you have experienced the sufferings, and am therefore sure that he will send you the strength and the endurance. The close connection... read more

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