Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 1:5

What does 2 Corinthians 1:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 1:5 means

Paul explains why comfort abounds: as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, comfort also overflows through Christ. “Sufferings of Christ” means the hardships that come from belonging to and serving Christ in a fallen world. Union with Christ brings both affliction and consolation. This is not masochism; it is realism shaped by the gospel. Our trials are not random; they are tied to Christ’s cause, and so is our help. Christ is both the pattern and the source—he suffered and was comforted by the Father, and in him we receive an abundant supply of encouragement. The balance holds: great suffering in Christ is met by greater comfort through Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For as we undergo more of the pain which Christ underwent, so through Christ does our comfort become greater.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because, as the sufferings of the Christ do abound to us, so through the Christ doth abound also our comfort;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also by Christ doth our comfort abound.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Because, even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us, so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound.

Context

Having shown that comfort equips believers to comfort others, Paul grounds this pattern in Christ himself. This verse ties the believer’s experience to Christ’s, which lifts the conversation beyond mere psychology to theology. It prepares the way for Paul to say that his afflictions and consolations serve the Corinthians’ good, because both are part of Christ’s work in his people. Next, Paul will apply this logic directly to the church at Corinth, assuring them that their share in sufferings guarantees a share in divine comfort, and strengthening his pastoral connection with them.

v.4who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

v.5This passage

v.6But 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:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:16

    Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

  • Philippians 2:1

    If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,

  • 2 Corinthians 11:23

    Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:10

    We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.

  • Colossians 1:24

    Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church;

  • Luke 2:25

    And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 2 Corinthians 1

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 2 Corinthians 1.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 2 Corinthians 1:5.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary