"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ" (2 Cor. 1:5).
As Paul proclaimed the Gospel of Christ, he suffered from hunger, nakedness, bitter cold, threatening storms, imprisonment, beatings, and dreadful perils by sea and land. To add to his external sufferings, Paul was burdened by cares and concerns for the churches. And, as if that weren’t enough, he had a thorn in the flesh that God refused to remove. Unlike many of us, Paul suffered constantly for the cause of Christ. Yet, through it all, God not only sustained him, but filled him with such courage and stamina that he rejoiced in his affliction: “for when I am weak, then am I strong” (12:10).
Paul could rejoice in the midst of his suffering and offer consolation to others who also endured suffering for Christ’s sake because he knew his God. He took confidence in the blessedness, the mercy, and comfort of his heavenly Father. Too often, we lose hope because we take our eyes off of God, who has promised to sustain His people. Paul declared his adoration for God at the beginning of his letter so the Corinthians could contemplate with him the source of his comfort, and the source of theirs: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—the epitome of suffering, the example of enduring trial and tribulation for the sake of others, and the sustainer of our faith as we endure suffering in His name.
Those who are united in Christ can call God Father, the One who is merciful and who provides consolation for His suffering servants. Those who love Him can endure anything because they know God is in control and because they trust that whatever happens to them is ultimately for God’s glory, just as the sufferings and death of Christ exalted Him and brought glory to the Father. “This state of mind can be experienced only by those who are so filled with the love of Christ, that they rejoice in everything, however painful to themselves, whereby His glory is promoted,” Hodge wrote. “And where this state of mind exists, no afflictions can equal the consolations by which they are attended, and therefore the apostle adds, that he was enabled to comfort those who were in any kind of affliction by the comfort wherewith he was comforted of God."
Is there anyone in your church going through a particular trial? If you don’t know of anyone, ask your pastor or an elder. Write a brief, encouraging note to that person, sharing with them Paul’s message from 2 Corinthians 1, that their confidence is in God, the Father of all mercies and of all comfort.
