“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” (2Corinthians 1:5)
None of the cross references to this Scripture or any commentaries have an explanation to this verse. It can be taken to mean a variety of things and the commentaries also seem to take a variety of different meanings. But we can look at the preceding and following verses to understand what Paul was saying here.
This verse is part of a section of nine verses which are under the heading “God of all comfort.” In the previous verse, Paul writes that the Lord comforts us in our tribulation so that we can comfort others with that comfort in any tribulation. (verse 4) That in itself is another teaching.
Then in verse 6, Paul writes about the tribulations that he along with his fellow missionaries suffered, using the word “we”, to give the Corinthians consolation and salvation, which make us think that the sufferings he is referring to are persecutions and trouble that arises in sharing the Gospel of Christ. Later in verses 8-10, Paul gives more clarity as to the kind of trouble and tribulation he is talking about. “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us;” (2Corinthians 1:8-10)
What happened in Asia? Luke writes what happened when Paul preached about Jesus in Ephesus. There was a riot started by a man named Demetrius who made images of the idol Diana. He stirred up other craftsmen and the whole city. They caught Gaius and Aristarchus who were Paul’s companions from Macedonia. Paul tried to enter the theatre where they were, but was held back by his friends, chiefs in Asia, who persuaded the rioters to disperse and take up the matter in a lawful assembly. It was then that Paul and his companions made a quick escape to Macedonia. (Acts 19: 23-41; Acts 20:1) Where there were Jews, they came against Paul. Where Paul preached one God and Jesus, the idolaters came against him. The Bible doesn’t record this, but Paul is finally executed in Rome. The Romans had many deities and believed their emperors were gods.
It would be safe to think that verse 5 in 2 Corinthians chapter 1 is speaking about persecution for the sake of Christ and His Gospel. There are currently 43 countries that are considered restricted and 22 countries which are hostile to Christianity according to Voice of the Martyrs. Restricted means that there are “government-sanctioned circumstances or anti-Christian laws leading to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their witness.” Hostile means that government in those countries “may attempt to provide protection for the Christian population but Christians are still routinely persecuted by family, friends, neighbors or political groups because of their witness.” You can access a map at: Global Prayer Guide - The Voice of the Martyrs (persecution.com) Go to the heading Global Prayer Guide to access a map.
If one lives in a place that is not restricted or hostile, we have no idea of the pressures and dangers the brethren live with. If someone slanders us or ridicules us for our beliefs, immediately we feel persecution. And God is faithful to His promise to comfort us. But to live in a restricted or hostile country, where there is loss of family, home and life, there is also great and abundant consolation as Paul states in 2 Corinthians 1:5. The consolation fits the tribulation. As I think about their loss, I would think they would be inconsolable. But testimony after testimony, we hear of their resilience and determination to continue even stronger in the faith. This is a work of God. This is the comfort and consolation from God.
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