2 Corinthians 1:6
What does 2 Corinthians 1:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 1:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 1:6 means
Paul interprets his own ups and downs in terms of the Corinthians’ benefit. If he is afflicted, it is for their comfort and salvation—his endurance and faithfulness under pressure strengthen them to persevere. If he is comforted, that too is for their comfort, as they see God’s help at work. The comfort “works” as they patiently endure the same kinds of sufferings he faces. Ministry is not a zero-sum game; God uses an apostle’s trials and consolations to edify the church. This outlook dignifies hardship and resists self-pity: whatever God permits in Paul’s life becomes a means by which others are encouraged to cling to Christ and to keep going.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But 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:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and whether we be in tribulation, <FI>it is<Fi> for your comfort and salvation, that is wrought in the enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer; whether we are comforted, <FI>it is<Fi> for your comfort and salvation;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now whether we be in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and salvation: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation: or whether we be exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which worketh the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But whether we are in tribulation, [it is] for your encouragement and salvation, wrought in the endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer,
Context
After linking suffering and comfort to Christ, Paul shows the pastoral effect: his experiences serve the Corinthians’ good. He is building a case that his troubled path does not undermine his apostleship. Instead, it advances their salvation and endurance. This prepares the next statement of confidence: that they will indeed share not only in sufferings but also in comfort. From there, Paul will recount a specific crisis in Asia, illustrating just how severe things became and how God used deliverance to deepen dependence on him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 3:13
Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4
who 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.
- Philippians 1:19
For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
- 2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;
- 2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
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