For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:5KJV
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2 Corinthians 1:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 1:5 mean?

2 Corinthians 1:5 means that just as followers of Jesus experience many kinds of suffering connected to Christ, they also receive a great amount of comfort through Christ. The verse highlights a balance: the more believers share in Christ’s hardships, the more they also share in the encouragement and relief that comes from Him.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining his own experiences and encouraging the believers. Paul wants them to understand that suffering for Christ is not pointless or one-sided; God also provides real comfort and support through Jesus. This comfort is not just for Paul, but for all who follow Christ and face difficulties because of their faith.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 1:5

  • "Sufferings" (παθήματα, pathēmata): This word refers to hardships or afflictions, especially those connected to following Christ. Paul is not talking about general troubles, but specifically about suffering that comes from being identified with Jesus.
  • "Abound" (περισσεύω, perisseuō): This word means to overflow or be present in great quantity. Paul is saying that both the sufferings and the comfort are not small or occasional—they are abundant.
  • "Consolation" (παράκλησις, paraklēsis): This word can mean comfort, encouragement, or support. It is not just a feeling, but a real strengthening that comes from God through Christ, helping believers endure and find hope.

Why 2 Corinthians 1:5 matters

  • 2 Corinthians 1:5 corrects the idea that suffering as a Christian means God is absent or uncaring; instead, it shows that God’s comfort is just as real and abundant as the suffering itself.
  • The verse connects suffering and comfort directly to Christ, reminding believers that both are part of following Him and that neither is experienced alone.
  • This verse sets up the wider passage, where Paul explains how receiving God’s comfort enables believers to comfort others, showing how personal hardship can lead to shared encouragement within the Christian community.

Where else these words appear

“sufferings” Greek G3804 · used in 16 verses

  • Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
  • Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
  • Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

“consolation” Greek G3874 · used in 28 verses

  • Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

“abound” Greek G4052 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.