2 Corinthians 1:4-5

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Who comforteth us - Paul here doubtless refers primarily to himself and his fellow apostles as having been filled with comfort in their trials; to the support which the promises of God gave; to the influences of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter; and to the hopes of eternal life through the gospel of the Redeemer.That we may be able to comfort ... - Paul does not say that this was the only design which God had in comforting them that they might be able to impart comfort to others; but he does say... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:5

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

2 Corinthians 1:3-7. Blessed be God, &c. A solemn and beautiful introduction, highly suitable to the apostolical spirit; even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is his only-begotten Son, both as to his divine and human nature; see Hebrews 1:2; Luke 1:35; and as he is Mediator, appointed, authorized, and qualified by the Father for that office. The Father of mercies From whose paternal compassion and readiness to forgive the penitent, that sincerely believe in and turn to... read more

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