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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Corinthians 1:3–6. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
After the foregoing preface, the apostle begins with the narrative of God's goodness to him and his fellow-labourers in their manifold tribulations, which he speaks of by way of thanksgiving to God, and to advance the divine glory (Co2 1:3-6); and it is fit that in all things, and in the first place, God be glorified. Observe,
I.The object of the apostle's thanksgiving, to whom he offers up blessing and praise, namely, the blessed God, who only is to be praised, whom he describes by several glorious and amiable titles.
1.The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: ho Theos kai patēr kuriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou. God is the Father of Christ's divine nature by eternal generation, of his human nature by miraculous conception in the womb of the virgin, and of Christ as God-man, and our Redeemer, by covenant-relation, and in and through him as Mediator our God and our Father, Joh 20:17. In the Old Testament we often meet with this title, The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, to denote God's covenant-relation to them and their seed; and in the New Testament God is styled the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to denote his covenant-relation to the Mediator and his spiritual seed. Gal 3:16.
2.The Father of mercies. There is a multitude of tender mercies in God essentially, and all mercies are from God originally: mercy in his genuine offspring and his delight. He delighteth in mercy, Mic 7:18.
3.The God of all comfort; from his proceedeth the COMFORTER, Joh 15:26. He giveth the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts, Co2 1:22. All our comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him.
II.The reasons of the apostle's thanksgivings, which are these: -
1.The benefits that he himself and his companions had received from God; for God had comforted them in all their tribulations, Co2 1:4. In the world they had trouble, but in Christ they had peace. The apostles met with many tribulations, but they found comfort in them all: their sufferings (which are called the sufferings of Christ, Co2 1:5, because Christ sympathized with his members when suffering for his sake) did abound, but their consolation by Christ did abound also. Note,
(1.)Then are we qualified to receive the comfort of God's mercies when we set ourselves to give him the glory of them.
(2.)Then we speak best of God and his goodness when we speak from our own experience, and, in telling others, tell God also what he has done for our souls.
2.The advantage which others might receive; for God intended that they should be able to comfort others in trouble (Co2 1:4), by communicating to them their experiences of the divine goodness and mercy; and the sufferings of good men have a tendency to this good end (Co2 1:6) when they are endued with faith and patience. Note,
(1.)What favours God bestows on us are intended not only to make us cheerful ourselves, but also that we may be useful to others.
(2.)If we do imitate the faith and patience of good men in their afflictions, we may hope to partake of their consolations here and their salvation hereafter.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Because they were suffering persecutions from unbelievers for the sake of believers, they would be set free by God’s help. This was viewed as a consolation to believers, so that they would not desert their faith because of such a stumbling block. The injuries suffered by the apostles were a temptation to believers to abandon their faith. When they saw the preachers overcome by force, they were inclined to wonder whether the promise of Christ might be an empty one.
"Whether we be afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: and our hope for you is steadfast."
Having spoken of one, and that the chief ground of comfort and consolation, namely, having fellowship [by sufferings] with Christ: he layeth down as second this which he now mentions, namely, that the salvation of the disciples themselves was procured thereby. "Faint not, therefore, he says, nor be confounded and afraid because we are afflicted; for this same thing were rather a reason for your being of good cheer: for had we not been afflicted, this had been the ruin of you all." How and wherein? For if through lack of spirit and fear of danger we had not preached unto you the word whereby ye learned the true knowledge, your situation had been desperate. Seest thou again the vehemence and earnest contention of Paul? The very things which troubled them he uses for their comfort. For, saith he, the greater the intensity of our persecutions, the greater should be the increase of your good hope; because the more abundant also in proportion is your salvation and consolation. For what hath equal force of consolation with this of having obtained such good things through the preaching. Then that he may not seem to be bringing the encomium round to himself alone, see how he maketh them too to share these praises. For to the words, "Whether we be afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation:" he adds, "which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer."
Now what humility can compare with this, seeing that those who fell so far short of him he raiseth to the same dignity of endurance? for he saith, "Which worked in the enduring of the same sufferings;" for not through believing only cometh your salvation, but also through the suffering and enduring the same things with us. For like as a pugilist is an object of admiration, when he doth but show himself and is in good training and hath his skill within himself, but when he is in action, enduring blows and striking his adversary, then most of all shineth forth, because that then his good training is most put in action, and the proof of his skill evidently shown; so truly is your salvation also then more especially put into action, that is, is displayed, increased, heightened, when it hath endurance, when it suffereth and beareth all things nobly. So then the work of salvation consisteth not in doing evil, but in suffering evil. Moreover he saith not, "which worketh," but, "which is wrought," to show that together with their own willingness of mind, grace also which wrought in them did contribute much.
If the apostles suffered, how much more are the others likely to suffer!
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Summary
Paul articulates a profound theological truth regarding the purpose of his apostolic suffering and divine comfort: both experiences are orchestrated by God for the spiritual benefit of the Corinthian believers. Whether enduring affliction or receiving comfort, Paul's trials serve as a demonstration of God's sustaining power, enabling the Corinthians to find consolation and salvation through their own steadfast endurance of similar hardships. This reciprocal relationship highlights the communal nature of faith and the redemptive purpose of suffering within the body of Christ.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's opening salutation and thanksgiving in 2 Corinthians. The preceding verses establish Paul's pattern of suffering and God's abundant comfort. Specifically, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 introduces God as "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort," who comforts believers in their affliction so they, in turn, can comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:5 then explicitly states that "as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." Verse 6 directly builds on this by articulating the purpose of these experiences, linking Paul's personal trials directly to the spiritual welfare of the Corinthian church. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent defense of his ministry and his explanation of the nature of true apostolic service, which often involves hardship.
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul's relationship with the Corinthian church was complex and often strained. This letter, likely written after a painful visit and a "severe letter" (possibly 2 Corinthians 10-13), seeks to reconcile and reaffirm his apostolic authority. In the Greco-Roman world, suffering was often viewed as a sign of weakness or divine disfavor, especially for a leader. Paul, however, redefines suffering through a distinctly Christian lens, presenting it not as a hindrance but as an integral part of his ministry and a channel for God's power. His afflictions included physical hardships, persecutions, and emotional distress, as detailed later in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. This context helps the Corinthians understand that Paul's hardships were not a disqualification but a validation of his genuine apostleship and a means through which God worked for their benefit.
Key Themes
The overarching theme in this passage, and indeed throughout 2 Corinthians, is the paradox of strength in weakness. Paul consistently demonstrates that God's power is made perfect in human weakness, transforming suffering into a vehicle for divine glory and spiritual growth. This verse particularly highlights redemptive suffering, where Paul's afflictions are not meaningless but serve a higher purpose: the "consolation and salvation" of the Corinthians. It also emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body of Christ, illustrating how the experiences of one member directly impact others. The concept of divine comfort is central, portraying God as the ultimate source of solace who empowers believers to endure. Furthermore, the verse underscores the importance of perseverance and endurance in the face of trials, linking these qualities directly to the efficacy of God's work in believers' lives, a theme echoed in Romans 5:3-4.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "to crowd (literally or figuratively):--afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble." This term vividly conveys the intense pressure, distress, and tribulation Paul experienced. It's not merely discomfort but a profound sense of being pressed down, illustrating the severity of his hardships.
Meaning "imploration, hortation, solace:--comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty." This word is rich in meaning, encompassing comfort, encouragement, and even exhortation. It signifies a divine strengthening and reassurance, often implying a "calling alongside" to provide support, much like the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete.
Meaning "to be active, efficient:--do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in)." This term denotes an active, powerful working or operation. It emphasizes that the consolation and salvation are not passive states but dynamic forces that actively enable and empower believers to endure.
Verse Breakdown
"And whether we be afflicted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation"
Paul begins by stating a foundational principle: his suffering is not arbitrary but has a direct, beneficial purpose for the Corinthians. His afflictions (thlíbō) are divinely purposed to bring about their comfort (paráklēsis) and deliverance (sōtēría), indicating a selfless, outward-focused dimension to his personal trials.
"which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer"
This clause clarifies how Paul's experiences benefit the Corinthians. The consolation and salvation are "effectual" (energéō), meaning they are powerfully at work, specifically in the context of enduring shared suffering. Paul's perseverance in his trials serves as a living testimony and a source of strength for the Corinthians as they face similar hardships, demonstrating that God's comfort is potent enough to sustain them.
"or whether we be comforted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation"
This parallel statement completes the thought, showing the symmetrical nature of God's work. Just as his affliction serves their good, so too does his comfort. His comfort is not merely for his own relief but also demonstrates the reality and power of God's solace, thereby encouraging and strengthening the Corinthians in their own need for comfort and ultimate salvation. Both sides of Paul's experience—suffering and comfort—are for their spiritual benefit.
Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in 2 Corinthians 1:6 is Parallelism, specifically a form of Antithetical Parallelism combined with Synonymous Parallelism. Paul presents two contrasting scenarios ("whether we be afflicted" vs. "or whether we be comforted") but attributes the same outcome to both: "it is for your consolation and salvation." This structure emphasizes that all of Paul's experiences, whether painful or comforting, are ultimately purposed by God for the spiritual good of the Corinthian church. There is also a subtle Chiasm (ABBA structure) at play: A (afflicted) B (for your consolation and salvation) B' (for your consolation and salvation) A' (comforted), reinforcing the central message that the spiritual benefit of the Corinthians is the consistent result of Paul's varying experiences. The repetition of "consolation and salvation" further uses Repetition for emphasis, underscoring the twin benefits derived from Paul's ministry.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse underscores a profound theological truth: God sovereignly uses both suffering and comfort in the lives of His servants for the spiritual benefit of others. It reveals a communal dimension to the Christian experience, where individual trials and triumphs are not isolated but contribute to the edification and perseverance of the wider body of Christ. Paul's willingness to embrace his afflictions, knowing they serve a redemptive purpose, reflects a deep understanding of God's economy of grace, where weakness becomes a conduit for divine power and a testimony to God's faithfulness. This passage teaches that true ministry often involves vulnerability and shared hardship, transforming personal pain into a powerful witness to God's sustaining comfort and saving grace.
Reflection and Application
2 Corinthians 1:6 offers immense practical encouragement for believers facing trials today. It reframes our understanding of suffering, transforming it from a mere burden into a potential instrument of God's grace for others. When we experience hardship, this verse reminds us that our pain is not wasted; God can use our endurance and the comfort we receive to strengthen and encourage those around us who are walking through similar valleys. It calls us to a posture of empathy and active ministry, recognizing that our personal journey with God, in both its highs and lows, can become a powerful testimony to His faithfulness and a source of genuine consolation for others. This perspective cultivates a selfless outlook, moving us beyond self-pity to consider how our experiences can serve the broader body of Christ, fostering a deeper sense of community and mutual support in the shared journey of faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse imply that all suffering is directly caused by God for a specific purpose?
This verse emphasizes that God uses suffering for redemptive purposes, not necessarily that He causes all suffering directly. Paul's afflictions, whether from external persecution, personal struggles, or spiritual warfare, are integrated into God's sovereign plan. The key takeaway is God's ability to redeem and repurpose even the most painful experiences for the spiritual good of His people and the advancement of His kingdom. It highlights God's power to bring good out of difficult circumstances, aligning with the principle found in Romans 8:28 that "all things work together for good to them that love God."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
2 Corinthians 1:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul's suffering for the sake of the Corinthians directly mirrors Christ's own suffering for the salvation of humanity. Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2), experienced the ultimate affliction, not for His own benefit, but "for your consolation and salvation." His death on the cross was the effectual means of our deliverance from sin and death (Romans 5:8). Furthermore, the comfort Paul receives and then extends is a direct outflow of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised as the "Comforter" or "Helper" (John 14:26). Thus, Paul's ministry of suffering and comfort is a living embodiment of the gospel, demonstrating how Christ's redemptive work transforms pain into purpose and enables believers to share in both His sufferings and His glorious comfort, ultimately leading to eternal salvation.