2 Corinthians 1:6 kjv

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:6 nkjv

Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:6 niv

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

2 Corinthians 1:6 esv

If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

2 Corinthians 1:6 nlt

Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.

2 Corinthians 1 verses

2 Corinthians 1 6 Meaning

Second Corinthians 1:6 expresses a profound reciprocity in the Christian life and ministry: the apostles' experience of affliction and comfort serves directly to benefit the believers in Corinth. Paul asserts that his sufferings contribute to their comfort and salvation, and likewise, the comfort he receives from God also ministers to their comfort. This ultimately aims to produce in them a patient endurance through the very same types of sufferings that the apostles themselves experience, fostering solidarity in faith and steadfastness.

2 Corinthians 1 6 Context

The first chapter of Second Corinthians establishes the theological framework for Paul's ministry and the overarching themes of the letter. Following the standard apostolic greeting, Paul immediately transitions into a section (1:3-11) describing God as the "God of all comfort" who comforts him in his own tribulations. Verse 6 elaborates on this, asserting that Paul's afflictions and the comfort he receives are not for his personal benefit alone but serve a distinct purpose for the Corinthian believers. This passage is crucial because it addresses potential questions or criticisms about Paul's own sufferings and perceived weaknesses, which might have undermined his authority in the eyes of some Corinthians who sought a triumphant and outwardly strong leader. Paul reframes suffering not as a sign of divine disapproval, but as an integral part of faithful Christian ministry that fosters solidarity, teaches endurance, and contributes to the salvation of others. Historically, early Christians often faced persecution and various forms of tribulation, so Paul's emphasis on perseverance would have been highly relevant for the Corinthian community facing their own challenges and possibly misunderstanding the nature of true spiritual power.

2 Corinthians 1 6 Word analysis

• But if we are afflicted (Εἰ δέ θλιβόμεθα - Ei de thlibometha): "But if" introduces a reciprocal or complementary idea. "Afflicted" (θλιβόμεθα, from thlipsis) means pressured, distressed, or experiencing tribulation. It speaks of the persistent hardships Paul and his co-workers faced.
• it is for your comfort and salvation (ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως καὶ σωτηρίας - hyper tēs hymōn paraklēseōs kai sōtērias):
  • ὑπὲρ (hyper): means "on behalf of," "for the sake of," or "for the benefit of," showing a clear purpose beyond personal experience.
  • comfort (παρακλήσεως - paraklēseōs): same root as paraklētos (Comforter/Helper). It signifies solace, encouragement, and strength imparted, often in the face of trouble.
  • salvation (σωτηρίας - sōtērias): This word encompasses deliverance, preservation, well-being, and the ultimate restoration to God's glory, not merely initial conversion. Paul's suffering acts as a catalyst or proof contributing to their holistic spiritual flourishing and eternal destiny.
• or if we are comforted (εἴτε παρακαλούμεθα - eite parakaloumetha): "Or if" presents the alternative, balancing the first part. This emphasizes that all aspects of the apostles' experience, whether hardship or relief, have a divine purpose for others.
• it is for your comfort (ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως - hyper tēs hymōn paraklēseōs): A repetition stressing the profound impact Paul's comfort has on their well-being and encouragement.
• which produces in you (κατεργαζομένη - katergazomenē): From katergazomai, meaning "to work out, effect, accomplish, produce." This active verb shows that the comfort received by Paul is dynamically working in the Corinthians, shaping them.
• the patient endurance (ὑπομονὴν - hypomonēn): This noun denotes steadfastness, perseverance, and constancy, particularly under duress or provocation. It's not passive resignation but active, hopeful persistence in trials.
• of the same sufferings that we suffer (τῶν αὐτῶν παθημάτων ὧν καὶ ἡμεῖς πάσχομεν - tōn autōn pathēmatōn hōn kai hēmeis paschomen):
  • same (αὐτῶν - autōn): Highlights solidarity. The Corinthians will face similar trials.
  • sufferings (παθημάτων - pathēmatōn): Broader than thlipsis, referring to whatever one experiences, undergoes, or suffers, implying both external pressures and internal trials. Paul is setting himself as an example for their anticipated similar experiences.

Words-group analysis:

• "But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort": This parallelism underscores the selfless and communal nature of Paul's apostolic ministry. Both the tribulation and the consolation he experiences are not ends in themselves for him, but divinely ordained means for the spiritual strengthening and eternal benefit of the Corinthian believers. It highlights God's sovereignty over all circumstances for redemptive purposes.
• "which produces in you the patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer": This phrase reveals the ultimate goal. The divine comfort given to Paul, and then demonstrated through his endurance, serves to empower the Corinthians to face their own inevitable struggles. It implies that true Christian discipleship often involves facing similar afflictions as the apostles, and their steadfast example becomes a living lesson in faith and perseverance. It cultivates an active fortitude against the common challenges of faith.

2 Corinthians 1 6 Bonus section

The structure of Paul's thought in verses 5-6 (suffering and comfort of Christ shared by Paul, leading to suffering and comfort shared with the Corinthians) forms a powerful theological chiasm. This literary device emphasizes the complete encompassment of the Corinthians' experience by the divine-human pattern exemplified in Christ and enacted through Paul's ministry. It highlights that the sufferings believers undergo are not random but participate in the very pattern of Christ's afflictions for the sake of the Kingdom. The "same sufferings" also suggests that a mark of authentic Christian life often involves a common experience of tribulation with the apostles, distinct from the world. It provides comfort by removing the idea that suffering is unique or a punishment, reframing it as a shared and purposeful aspect of discipleship that deepens trust and confirms salvation.

2 Corinthians 1 6 Commentary

Paul presents his life, marked by both affliction and divine comfort, as a living testimony for the Corinthians. His sufferings are not a sign of divine disfavour but rather an integral part of God's redemptive strategy. When Paul is afflicted, it is so that his faithful endurance under duress might become a source of comfort and spiritual growth for the Corinthian believers, showing them the reality of God's power and provision even in hardship. When he experiences God's comfort, this, too, is for their benefit, serving as a tangible demonstration of God's care, empowering them to walk in faith and find their own comfort in Him. The verse clarifies that this dynamic interplay between apostolic suffering and divine comfort has a practical outcome: it cultivates in the believers a vital quality of "patient endurance" (hypomonē). Paul is preparing them for the reality that they will face "the same sufferings" that he experiences. Thus, his ministry provides a model and a spiritual resource, equipping them to persevere with steadfast faith in the midst of trials, proving the genuineness of their salvation and strengthening their walk with Christ. It is a profound declaration of interconnectedness within the Body of Christ, where the experience of one member contributes directly to the spiritual fortitude and salvation of others.