2 Corinthians 1 7

2 Corinthians 1:7 kjv

And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

2 Corinthians 1:7 nkjv

And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

2 Corinthians 1:7 niv

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:7 esv

Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:7 nlt

We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

2 Corinthians 1 verses

2 Corinthians 1 7 Meaning

This verse expresses Paul's confident assurance concerning the Corinthian believers, stemming from his own experience of divine comfort amidst suffering. It highlights a core principle of Christian fellowship: believers share in a common experience of both tribulation and God's consolation. Paul's steadfast hope for them is rooted in the knowledge that just as they partake in the hardships experienced by believers, so too will they partake in the comfort and encouragement provided by God, ultimately empowering them to endure and to minister to others.

2 Corinthians 1 7 Context

This verse serves as a crucial bridge within Paul’s introductory section (2 Cor 1:3-11), where he clarifies the nature of his apostolic suffering and God's abounding comfort. Prior to this, Paul introduced God as the "Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (v. 3), explaining that God comforts believers in their tribulation so they can, in turn, comfort others who suffer (v. 4). He emphasizes that just as believers experience an abundance of Christ's sufferings, they also receive an abundance of Christ's comfort (v. 5). Verse 6 then ties Paul’s suffering and comfort directly to the Corinthians' salvation and consolation. Thus, verse 7 solidifies this concept by extending the reciprocity—if they share in his suffering, they will also share in the comfort. The historical context includes ongoing difficulties Paul faced in ministry, false accusations, and the complex relationship he had with the Corinthian church, marked by past disagreements and criticisms against his apostleship. Through these statements, Paul seeks to restore their trust and affirm their spiritual unity, showing that their shared experience of suffering and comfort builds a strong bond.

2 Corinthians 1 7 Word analysis

• And (καὶ, kai): Connects this verse to the preceding one, emphasizing continuity of thought—the sharing in suffering and comfort is a natural extension of Paul's and their experience.
• our hope (ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν, hē elpis hēmōn):
  • hope (ἐλπὶς, elpis): In the biblical sense, not mere wishful thinking, but a confident expectation and firm assurance of future reality, rooted in God's promises and character. It is an inner certainty.
  • our: Refers to Paul and Timothy, and possibly those who stand with them in ministry. This hope is shared among ministers for the believers they serve.
• for you (ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, hyper hymōn): Literally "on your behalf" or "concerning you." The hope is specifically directed towards the Corinthians.
• is steadfast (βεβαία, bebaia):
  • From bebaios, meaning firm, stable, secure, reliable, confirmed. This describes the quality of Paul’s hope for the Corinthians, indicating it is not easily shaken by circumstances or criticism. It reflects certainty, not doubt.
• knowing (εἰδότες, eidotes):
  • From eido, signifying a deep, intuitive, and experiential knowledge, rather than mere intellectual acquaintance (ginosko). Paul speaks from a place of profound conviction, based on God’s work in his own life and in the lives of believers. This is a foundational theological truth.
• that (ὅτι, hoti): Introduces the content of what is known and serves as the basis for the steadfast hope.
• as (ὥσπερ, hōsper): Establishes a direct comparison and parallel. There is an exact correspondence.
• you are partakers (κοινωνοί ἐστε, koinōnoi este):
  • partakers (κοινωνοί, koinōnoi): From koinonos, related to koinonia (fellowship, sharing, partnership). It denotes sharing in something as a participant or companion, a mutual partnership. It highlights solidarity and common experience among believers.
• of the sufferings (τῶν παθημάτων, tōn pathēmatōn):
  • sufferings (παθημάτων, pathēmatōn): Experiential pains, afflictions, trials, tribulations. This refers to the hardships and adversities faced for Christ's sake, often mirroring Christ's own experiences and those of Paul.
• so also you will partake (οὕτως καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως κοινωνοί ἔσεσθε, houtōs kai tēs paraklēseōs koinōnoi esesthe):
  • so also (οὕτως καί, houtōs kai): Reinforces the direct correspondence—if the former, then assuredly the latter.
  • will partake (κοινωνοί ἔσεσθε, koinōnoi esesthe): Future tense of "partaker," indicating an assured future reality or continuation of their present reality. Their sharing in comfort is as certain as their sharing in suffering.
  • of the comfort (τῆς παρακλήσεως, tēs paraklēseōs):
    • comfort (παρακλήσεως, paraklēseōs): Meaning consolation, encouragement, exhortation, or even aid. This divine comfort empowers believers to endure tribulation and provides strength and peace. It’s closely related to Paraclete, a term for the Holy Spirit as helper and comforter.

Words-group analysis:

• "And our hope for you is steadfast": Emphasizes the deep confidence and assured expectation Paul and his companions have concerning the spiritual well-being and endurance of the Corinthian believers. This hope is divinely sourced and unwavering, reflecting the stability of God's promises rather than human sentiment.
• "knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the comfort": This forms the theological bedrock of the verse. It asserts a spiritual law of reciprocity: the experience of shared suffering with Christ and His body necessarily entails a corresponding experience of God's abundant comfort. The parallelism as... so also underlines this divinely ordained balance. It means their hardships are not isolated events but shared experiences within the body of Christ, and God's consolation is equally a shared inheritance. This fosters solidarity and resilience within the Christian community.

2 Corinthians 1 7 Bonus section

The concept of paraklēsis (comfort) in this chapter is deeply layered. It's not just emotional solace but also active encouragement and empowerment. God’s comfort equips believers to actively minister to others. This highlights the practical dimension of divine comfort – it is received not merely for personal relief but to be extended, creating a chain of compassion and solidarity within the body of Christ. The verse also implicitly challenges any worldly philosophy that views suffering as inherently meaningless or purely negative, presenting it instead as a path through which profound divine experience and redemptive comfort are found. This understanding strengthens resilience, promotes fellowship, and fuels Christ-like compassion within the Church.

2 Corinthians 1 7 Commentary

2 Corinthians 1:7 encapsulates a profound spiritual principle foundational to Christian life and ministry: the inseparability of suffering and comfort in the believer’s experience. Paul’s steadfast hope for the Corinthians is not a mere wish, but a deep conviction based on God's character and consistent working. He affirms that God’s comfort (consolation and strength) is commensurate with, and follows from, the suffering experienced for Christ's sake. The term "partakers" (κοινωνοί) is critical, emphasizing a profound, communal fellowship in both affliction and divine solace. It highlights that suffering is not a sign of God's displeasure, but a shared experience of Christ and His Church, making one eligible for equally shared comfort. This comfort not only sustains the believer but also empowers them to extend the same comfort to others, thereby transforming personal tribulation into a conduit for ministry, a theme central to 2 Corinthians 1. This divine pattern assures believers that their trials have purpose and will always be met with sufficient grace and consolation, strengthening their faith and their bond with one another and with God.