1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Commentary
Vs. 1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia"
Paul begins this epistle, as he does several other epistles, by stating that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (see Gal 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Tim 1:1, 2 Tim 1:1). Thus Paul from the beginning not only authenticates this epistle as coming from himself, but more importantly his being an apostle of Christ as coming by the will of God. For then, as now, there are always those who want to be regarded as apostles of Christ, but are not (2 Cor 11:12-15). The Apostle Paul's call though was not by the will of man, or through man, (see Gal 1:1), rather it was by the Lord Jesus Christ who first set Paul apart from the womb (Gal 1:15), and then called Paul on the Damascus road to be His eye witness everywhere (see Acts 9:1-30; 22:1-21; 26:1-32). Now Paul also mentions Timothy, his young protege, whom Paul calls "our brother" affirming Timothy to them as well. For Timothy was not just a servant of Christ with Paul, but he was also personally known to the Corinthians, having ministered the Gospel to them. And so at the time of Paul's writing this epistle to them, Timothy must now have been with Paul, having returned from them. The Apostle Paul having introduced himself and Timothy now addresses his epistle, "To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia". Notice that in spite of all the the Corinthians failings they are referred to by the Apostle Paul as the church of God. Thus though they are not yet "perfect" Christians in their conduct, or even "perfect" in their understanding, they (like us all who believe) are perfect Christians in our position with Christ and God (Heb. 10:10, 14). And so they by their very reception of the Living Word of God, they, like us all who believe, are the church of God (John 1:12). Now Paul also addresses this epistle to all the saints who are in Achaia, the Roman province to which the Corinthians belonged. Thus the Apostle Paul clearly had in mind that this epistle would be read by and used for the instruction of not only the Corinthians, but also the entire region, or wherever Christian disciples were, or might be found.
Vs. 2 "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
The Apostle Paul now extends grace and peace to us all from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Now Grace is not only an expression of one extending favor, kindness, or sympathy to another; but it is also an expression of having delight in the one to whom ones favor is shown (consider Jesus' story of the prodigaal son in Luke 15:11-32 to full grasp this). And so it is that we have this extraordinary gift from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is conveying His grace and peace to us all through His servant Paul. For having predestined us to adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ we have been accepted in the Beloved, because of the redemption which we who believe all have through Christ's blood, and our personally trusting Him (see Eph. 1:5-7; 2 Tim 1:9-10). Therefore Paul's extending God's grace and peace to us is something which God Himself has already done through His Sons Crucifixion death and resurrection from dead which makes our reconciliation with God possible (2 Cor 5:21). While peace is the fruit of our having been reconciled back to God. And so it is God's grace and peace is not something we, or anyone else needs to strive for, rather it is like salvation itself, a gift from God to us all who believe and obey the Gospel of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and so it is also the work of the Spirit of God in our persons and lives (John 14:15-16, 27; Gal 5:22-23).
Vs. 3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Therefore in light of such things the Apostle Paul now breaks out in thanksgiving and praise, blessing the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is also in the heart of everyone who has likewise believed, and thus received, and experienced the love, grace, and peace of God for themselves and in themselves. Therefore in whatever circumstances of life the Apostle Paul (and we ourselves) find ourselves in, we can also praise the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who not only extends His mercies to us all who believe in His Son, but who also comforts us in all our tribulation. Now whether this is by His ministering directly to our spirits by His Spirit, or by His ministering to us through others, the God of all comfort always seeks to comfort us in all of our tribulation. And this He does so that we ourselves may also be a comfort to those with are in any trouble. And so it is that God's comforting us is to be reciprocal; that is, as we are comforted, we are to comfort others with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted with by God. Imagine then if every believer did their part in this, there would be so many reciprocal acts of kindness everywhere, that one can barely imagine the positive changes, and blessings, and praises that would flow and abound everywhere!
Vs. 5 "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."
Here the Apostle Paul makes it clear that his sufferings were for Christ, something which will also be apart of every believers legacy (see Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29; 2 Tim. 1:8; 1 Peter 4:12-19). And so it is as we suffer for Christ so our consolation (comfort) through Christ also abounds. Believers then will never be forsaken (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5); rejected yes, persecuted yes, given over to all kinds of trials and tribulations yes (consider Hebrews 11), but never will we lose our salvation and eternal place and peace with Christ (John 10:28-29; 14:27). For it is God who not only watches over us, but God our Father is the One who sustains us through it all (Isaiah 41:10; John 16:33). Therefore having a right perspective in difficult times is the right way to not only endure them, but also pass through them. Knowing that these things are not unique to ourselves, for just as the saints down through the ages have had to endure the hostility of this wicked and ungodly world so must we (Psalm 37:20-40; 38:20; 44:22; 69:12; Pr. 29:10; Heb 12:3-4). Now Paul's consolation in Christ (like our own is two fold, for as much as we have been appointed to such things in this life, so we shall all also be abundantly repaid, consider Matt. 5:10-12; Luke 6:20-26; Heb 10:32-34 etc.) Now that's future. While Paul's consolation here and now must have been all the disciples he saw being made, all the people coming to Christ, coming to genuine repentance and faith, and thus seeing how many lives God was not only saving, but also transforming, something which was also taking place in his own heart and life, while all these things were occurring in his own ministry and life.
Vs. 6 "Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation."
Whether afflicted or comforted then, the Apostle Paul saw in all these things God working out much good for the growth and faith of the Corinthians, as well as himself (Rom 8:28). Thus if the Corinthians saw Paul afflicted, and yet patiently enduring it all, they would also learn how to faithfully endure. Or if they saw Paul comforted in his afflictions, they too could have hope of experiencing the same consolation in their own afflictions and lives. Therefore in all of Paul's afflictions, he always saw God's greater plan and purposes in his being set forth in this way, so as to build the church, and strengthen the faith of disciples everywhere (consider 2 Cor 12:15; Phil 2:17-18; Col 1:24).
Vs. 7 "And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation."
Therefore the Apostle Paul's hope for the Corinthians was steadfast (that is unwavering), that as the Corinthians were and would be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, so they would also be partakers of the consolation, which culminates with us all who believe spending an eternity with Christ, which though we are all assured of, must first always be worked out here and now in our own lives and fellowships, and in all our circumstances of life, whether these are now good or "bad".
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 1301). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
The Apostle Paul now extends grace and peace to us all from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Now Grace is not only an expression of one extending favor, kindness, or sympathy to another; but it is also an expression of having delight in the one to whom ones favor is shown (consider Jesus' story of the prodigaal son in Luke 15:11-32 to full grasp this). And so it is that we have this extraordinary gift from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is conveying His grace and peace to us all through His servant Paul. For having predestined us to adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ we have been accepted in the Beloved, because of the redemption which we who believe all have through Christ's blood, and our personally trusting Him (see Eph. 1:5-7; 2 Tim 1:9-10). Therefore Paul's extending God's grace and peace to us is something which God Himself has already done through His Sons Crucifixion death and resurrection from dead which makes our reconciliation with God possible (2 Cor 5:21). While peace is the fruit of our having been reconciled back to God. And so it is God's grace and peace is not something we, or anyone else needs to strive for, rather it is like salvation itself, a gift from God to us all who believe and obey the Gospel of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and so it is also the work of the Spirit of God in our persons and lives (John 14:15-16, 27; Gal 5:22-23).
Vs. 3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Therefore in light of such things the Apostle Paul now breaks out in thanksgiving and praise, blessing the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is also in the heart of everyone who has likewise believed, and thus received, and experienced the love, grace, and peace of God for themselves and in themselves. Therefore in whatever circumstances of life the Apostle Paul (and we ourselves) find ourselves in, we can also praise the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who not only extends His mercies to us all who believe in His Son, but who also comforts us in all our tribulation. Now whether this is by His ministering directly to our spirits by His Spirit, or by His ministering to us through others, the God of all comfort always seeks to comfort us in all of our tribulation. And this He does so that we ourselves may also be a comfort to those with are in any trouble. And so it is that God's comforting us is to be reciprocal; that is, as we are comforted, we are to comfort others with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted with by God. Imagine then if every believer did their part in this, there would be so many reciprocal acts of kindness everywhere, that one can barely imagine the positive changes, and blessings, and praises that would flow and abound everywhere!
Vs. 5 "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."
Here the Apostle Paul makes it clear that his sufferings were for Christ, something which will also be apart of every believers legacy (see Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29; 2 Tim. 1:8; 1 Peter 4:12-19). And so it is as we suffer for Christ so our consolation (comfort) through Christ also abounds. Believers then will never be forsaken (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5); rejected yes, persecuted yes, given over to all kinds of trials and tribulations yes (consider Hebrews 11), but never will we lose our salvation and eternal place and peace with Christ (John 10:28-29; 14:27). For it is God who not only watches over us, but God our Father is the One who sustains us through it all (Isaiah 41:10; John 16:33). Therefore having a right perspective in difficult times is the right way to not only endure them, but also pass through them. Knowing that these things are not unique to ourselves, for just as the saints down through the ages have had to endure the hostility of this wicked and ungodly world so must we (Psalm 37:20-40; 38:20; 44:22; 69:12; Pr. 29:10; Heb 12:3-4). Now Paul's consolation in Christ (like our own is two fold, for as much as we have been appointed to such things in this life, so we shall all also be abundantly repaid, consider Matt. 5:10-12; Luke 6:20-26; Heb 10:32-34 etc.) Now that's future. While Paul's consolation here and now must have been all the disciples he saw being made, all the people coming to Christ, coming to genuine repentance and faith, and thus seeing how many lives God was not only saving, but also transforming, something which was also taking place in his own heart and life, while all these things were occurring in his own ministry and life.
Vs. 6 "Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation."
Whether afflicted or comforted then, the Apostle Paul saw in all these things God working out much good for the growth and faith of the Corinthians, as well as himself (Rom 8:28). Thus if the Corinthians saw Paul afflicted, and yet patiently enduring it all, they would also learn how to faithfully endure. Or if they saw Paul comforted in his afflictions, they too could have hope of experiencing the same consolation in their own afflictions and lives. Therefore in all of Paul's afflictions, he always saw God's greater plan and purposes in his being set forth in this way, so as to build the church, and strengthen the faith of disciples everywhere (consider 2 Cor 12:15; Phil 2:17-18; Col 1:24).
Vs. 7 "And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation."
Therefore the Apostle Paul's hope for the Corinthians was steadfast (that is unwavering), that as the Corinthians were and would be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, so they would also be partakers of the consolation, which culminates with us all who believe spending an eternity with Christ, which though we are all assured of, must first always be worked out here and now in our own lives and fellowships, and in all our circumstances of life, whether these are now good or "bad".
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 1301). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
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