2 Corinthians 1:5

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

2 Corinthians 1:5, King James Version

2 Corinthians 1:5 in other translations

BSB	For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
WEB	For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.
ASV	For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.
YLT	because, as the sufferings of the Christ do abound to us, so through the Christ doth abound also our comfort;
DARBY	Because, even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us, so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound.
BBE	For as we undergo more of the pain which Christ underwent, so through Christ does our comfort become greater.
Webster	For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

What does 2 Corinthians 1:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

5. sufferings--standing in contrast with "salvation" (2Co 1:6); as "tribulation" (distress of mind), with comfort or "consolation." of Christ--Compare Col 1:24. The sufferings endured, whether by Himself, or by His Church, with which He considers Himself identified (Mt 25:40, 45; Ac 9:4; 1Jo 4:17-21). Christ calls His people's sufferings His own suffering: (1) because of the sympathy and mystical union between Him and us (Ro 8:17; 1Co 4:10); (2) They are borne for His sake; (3) They tend to His glory (Ep 4:1; 1Pe 4:14, 16). abound in us--Greek, "abound unto us." The order of the Greek following words is more forcible than in English Version, "Even so through Christ aboundeth also our comfort." The sufferings (plural) are many; but the consolation (though singular) swallows up them all. Comfort preponderates in this Epistle above that in the first Epistle, as now by the effect of the latter most of the Corinthians had been much impressed.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us. As we are called to experience the same sufferings which Christ endured; as we are called to suffer in his cause, and in the promotion of the same object. The sufferings which they endured were in the cause of Christ and his gospel; were endured in endeavouring to advance the same object which Christ sought to promote; and were substantially of the same nature. They arose from opposition, contempt, persecution, trial, and want, and were the same as the Lord Jesus was himself subjected to during the whole of his public life. Comp. Col 1:24. Thus Peter says 1Pet 4:13 of Christians, that they were "partakers of Christ's sufferings."

So our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. By means of Christ, or through Christ, consolation is abundantly imparted to us. Paul regarded the Lord Jesus as the source of consolation, and felt that the comfort which he imparted, or which was imparted through him, was more than sufficient to overbalance all the trials which he endured in his cause. The comforts which he derived from Christ were those, doubtless, which arose from his presence, his supporting grace, from his love shed abroad in the heart, from the success which he gave to his gospel, and from the hope of reward which was held out to him by the Redeemer, as the result of all his sufferings. And it may be observed as an universal truth, that if we suffer in the cause of Christ, if we are persecuted, oppressed, and calumniated on his account, he will take care that our hearts shall be filled with consolation.

(a) "sufferings of Christ" Col 1:24

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 5 The sufferings of Christ - Suffering endured for the cause of Christ: such as persecutions, hardships, and privations of different kinds. Our consolation also aboundeth - We stood as well, as firmly, and as easily, in the heaviest trial, as in the lightest; because the consolation was always proportioned to the trial and difficulty. Hence we learn, that he who is upheld in a slight trial need not fear a great one; for if he be faithful, his consolation shall abound, as his sufferings abound. Is it not as easy for a man to lift one hundred pounds' weight, as it is for an infant to lift a few ounces? The proportion of strength destroys the comparative difficulty.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

He professes his own and his fellow-labourers' integrity. (12-14) Gives reasons for his not coming to them. (15-24) Verses 1-11 We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 →

2 Corinthians 1:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅτιhotibecauseG3754

καθὼςkathōseven asG2531

περισσεύειperisseueiaboundG4052

τὰtatheG3588

παθήματαpathēmatasufferingsG3804

τοῦtouof theG3588

ΧριστοῦChristouChristG5547

εἰςeistowardG1519

ἡμᾶς,hēmasus,G3165

οὕτωςhoutōsthus soG3779

διὰdiathroughG1223

τοῦtou<the>G3588

ΧριστοῦChristouChristG5547

περισσεύειperisseueiaboundsG4052

καὶkaialsoG2532

ἡhētheG3588

παράκλησιςparaklēsiscomfortG3874

ἡμῶν.hēmōnof us.G3165

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 1:5

Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
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;
Philippians 1:20
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
Philippians 2:1
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Corinthians 11:23-30
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; …
1 Corinthians 4:10-13
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Acts 9:4
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

as.
4:10,11; 11:23-30; Ac 9:4; 1Co 4:10-13; Php 1:20; 3:10; Col 1:24
so.
Lu 2:25; Php 2:1; 2Th 2:16,17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:5
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:6
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.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:5 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque de la manera que abundan en nosotros las aflicciones de Cristo, así abunda también por el mismo Cristo nuestra consolación.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Car comme les souffrances du Christ abondent à notre égard, ainsi, par le Christ, notre consolation aussi abonde.
German Elberfelder 1871	weil, gleichwie die Leiden des Christus gegen uns überschwenglich sind, also auch durch den Christus unser Trost überschwenglich ist.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Quoniam sicut abundant passiones Christi in nobis: ita et per Christum abundat consolatio nostra.