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.