2 Corinthians 1 · Verse 6

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.

2 Corinthians 1:6, King James Version

2 Corinthians 1:6 in other translations

BSB	If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.
WEB	But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
ASV	But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:
YLT	and whether we be in tribulation, it is for your comfort and salvation, that is wrought in the enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer; whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort and salvation;
DARBY	But whether we are in tribulation, it is for your encouragement and salvation, wrought in the endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer,
BBE	But if we are troubled, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which takes effect through your quiet undergoing of the same troubles which we undergo:
Webster	And whether we are 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 are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

What does 2 Corinthians 1:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

6. we ... afflicted ... for your consolation--exemplifying the communion of saints. Their hearts were, so to speak, mirrors reflecting the likenesses of each other (Php 2:26, 27) [Bengel]. Alike the afflictions and the consolations of the apostle tend, as in him so in them, as having communion with him, to their consolation (2Co 1:4; 4:15). The Greek for "afflicted" is the same as before, and ought to be translated, "Whether we be in tribulation." which is effectual--literally, "worketh effectually." in the enduring, &c.--that is, in enabling you to endure "the same sufferings which we also suffer." Here follows, in the oldest manuscripts (not as English Version in the beginning of 2Co 1:7), the clause, "And our hope is steadfast on your behalf."

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 6. And whether we be afflicted. If we are afflicted; or, our affliction is for this purpose. This verse is designed to show one of the reasons of the sufferings which the apostles had endured; and it is a happy specimen of Paul's skill in his epistles, he shows that all his trials were for their welfare, and would turn to their benefit. He suffered that they might be comforted; he was afflicted for their advantage. This assurance would tend to conciliate their favour, and strengthen their affection for him, as it would show them that he was disinterested. We are under the deepest obligations of gratitude to one who suffers for us; and there is nothing that will bind us more tenderly to any one than the fact that he has been subjected to great calamity and trial on our account. This is one of the reasons why the Christian feels so tenderly his obligation to the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is for your consolation and salvation. It will be useful for your consolation; or it is endured in order to secure your comfort, and promote your salvation. Paul had suffered in Ephesus, and it is to this that he here particularly refers. He does not mean to say that his sufferings there were particularly for the comfort of the Corinthians; but that they had been endured in the general purpose of promoting the salvation of men, and that they, together with others, would reap the benefit of his trials. He endured them in order to spread the true religion; and they would be benefited by that; and besides, he would be the better able by his trials to administer to them the true consolations of the gospel in their sufferings; and his example, and experience, and counsel, would enable them to bear up under their own trials in a proper manner.

Which is effectual, etc. Margin, wrought. The Greek word ενεργουμενης denotes here efficacious, operating to, producing; and the phrase denotes that their salvation would be effected, wrought out, or secured by the patient endurance of such sufferings. Those sufferings were necessary; and a patient endurance of them would tend to promote their salvation. The doctrine that the patient endurance of affliction tends to promote salvation, is everywhere taught in the Bible. Rom 5:3, also Rom 5:4-5.

In the enduring. By your enduring; or by your patience in such sufferings. You are called to endure the same kind of sufferings; and patience in such trials will tend to promote your salvation.

Or whether we be comforted, etc. One design of our being comforted is, that we may be able to impart consolation to you in the times of similar trial and calamity. See 2Cor 1:4. The sentiment of the whole passage is, that their eternal welfare would be promoted by the example of the apostles in their trials, and by the consolations which they would be able to impart as the result of their afflictions.

(b) "for your consolation" 2Cor 4:15 (1) "effectual" "wrought"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 6 And whether we be afflicted - See on 2Cor 1:4 (note). Which is effectual - There is a strange and unusual variation in the MSS. and versions in this passage. Perhaps the whole should be read thus: For if we be afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; and if we be comforted, it is also for your encouragement, which exerted itself by enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. This transposition of the middle and last clauses is authorized by the best MSS. and versions. The meaning seems to be this: While ye abide faithful to God, no suffering can be prejudicial to you; on the contrary, it will be advantageous; God having your comfort and salvation continually in view, by all the dispensations of his providence: and while you patiently endure, your salvation is advanced; sufferings and consolations all becoming energetic means of accomplishing the great design, for all things work together for good to them that love God. See the variations in Griesbach.

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 1:6 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.

εἴτεeiteIfG1535

δὲdehoweverG1161

θλιβόμεθα,thlibomethawe are constricted,G2346

ὑπὲρhuper[it is] forG5228

τῆςtēs<the>G3588

ὑμῶνhumōnyourG4771

παρακλήσεωςparaklēseōscomfortG3874

καὶkaiandG2532

σωτηρίαςsōtēriassalvationG4991

εἴτεeiteifG1535

παρακαλούμεθα,parakaloumethawe are encouraged,G3870

ὑπὲρhuper[it is] forG5228

τῆςtēs<the>G3588

ὑμῶνhumōnyourG4771

παρακλήσεωςparaklēseōscomfortG3874

καιkaiandG2532

σωτηριαςsōtēriassalvationG4991

τῆςtēswhichG3588

ἐνεργουμένηςenergoumenēsis operatingG1754

ἐνeninG1722

ὑπομονῇhupomonēa[the] enduranceG5281

τῶνtōnof theG3588

αὐτῶνautōnsameG846

παθημάτωνpathēmatōnsufferingsG3804

ὧνhōnthatG3739

καὶkaialsoG2532

ἡμεῖςhēmeiswe ourselvesG3165

πάσχομεν,paschomensuffer,G3958

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

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 1:6

2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Corinthians 4:15-18
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
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.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Philippians 1:19
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 3:13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
2 Corinthians 5:5
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Hebrews 12:10-11
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
1 Corinthians 3:21-23
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Acts 21:5
And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

whether.
4; 4:15-18; 1Co 3:21-23; 2Ti 2:10
it is.
Ac 21:5
effectual. or, wrought.
4:17; 5:5; Ro 5:3-5; 8:28; Php 1:19; Heb 12:10,11

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

Context

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.
2 Corinthians 1:7
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:6 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Mas si somos atribulados, es por vuestra consolación y salud; la cual es obrada en el sufrir las mismas aflicciones que nosotros también padecemos: ó si somos consolados, es por vuestra consolación y salud;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et soit que nous soyons affligés, c’est pour votre consolation et votre salut, qui est opéré en ce que vous endurez les mêmes souffrances que nous aussi nous souffrons
German Elberfelder 1871	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
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Sive autem tribulamur pro vestra exhortatione et salute, sive consolamur pro vestra consolatione, sive exhortamur pro vestra exhortatione et salute, quæ operatur tolerantiam earumdem passionum, quas et nos patimur: