2 Korinther 1:6

6 Es sei aber, wir werden bedrängt, so ist es um eures Trostes und Heiles willen, das bewirkt wird im Ausharren in denselben Leiden, die auch wir leiden

2 Korinther 1:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 1:6

And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation
The apostle repeats and explains the end of both his comforts and his troubles, and shows, by a dilemma, a strong way of arguing, that the afflictions and consolations, the adversity and prosperity of him, and the other ministers of the Gospel, were for the good of the saints: and it is as if he should say, when you see us continue to preach the Gospel with so much boldness and cheerfulness, amidst so many reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions, you must be the more established in the faith, and confirmed in the truth of the Gospel; and this cannot fail of ministering much peace, satisfaction, and comfort to your minds. This animates you to hold fast the rejoicing of your hope, and the profession of your faith firm unto the end; and with the greater cheerfulness and pleasure meet with, and endure afflictions yourselves for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel: nay, he says, that the afflictions of Christ's ministers were not only for their consolation, but also for their

salvation, which is effectual,
or is effectually wrought

in,
or by

the enduring,
patient bearing,

of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
Not that the afflictions of the saints, or of others, and their patient enduring of them, are the cause of their salvation; for Christ is only the efficient cause, he is the sole author of spiritual and eternal salvation; but these are means the Spirit of God makes use of, as he does of the word and ordinances, to bring the saints to a satisfaction as to their interest in it, and are the ordinary way in which they are brought to the possession of it.

Or whether we be comforted it is for your consolation and salvation:
for whatsoever comfort God is pleased to communicate to us, it is not kept in our breasts, and for our own use, but we immediately and readily impart it to you, that you may share with us the advantage of it, and be comforted together with us; that your faith in the doctrine of salvation may be established, your hope of it increased, and that you may be more comfortably assured you are in the way to it, and shall enjoy it.

2 Korinther 1:6 In-Context

4 der uns tröstet in all unserer Drangsal, auf daß wir die trösten können, die in allerlei Drangsal sind, durch den Trost, mit welchem wir selbst von Gott getröstet werden;

5 weil, gleichwie die Leiden des Christus gegen uns überschwenglich sind, also auch durch den Christus unser Trost überschwenglich ist.

6 Es sei aber, wir werden bedrängt, so ist es um eures Trostes und Heiles willen, das bewirkt wird im Ausharren in denselben Leiden, die auch wir leiden

7 (und unsere Hoffnung für euch ist fest); es sei wir werden getröstet, so ist es um eures Trostes und Heiles willen, indem wir wissen, daß, gleichwie ihr der Leiden teilhaftig seid, also auch des Trostes.

8 Denn wir wollen nicht, daß ihr unkundig seid, Brüder, was unsere Drangsal betrifft, die uns in Asien widerfahren ist, daß wir übermäßig beschwert wurden, über Vermögen, so daß wir selbst am Leben verzweifelten.