This opening section will focus the readers minds on what Christianity is really about, about how God really works in our lives. The church was being infected and affected by a false version of the the Christian life. Paul will argue on theological grounds, but primarily on the grounds of his own living experience of Christ. In fact the theology and the experience go together, each backing up the other.
First, God is the God of all comfort, of all consolation and encouragement. Whatever you are experiencing in life just now you can be sure that God is able and willing to provide all the sustenance that you need, whether that be practical, emotional, spiritual or whatever. And God does this so that we can then, in turn, comfort others. Freely you have received, freely give, said Jesus (Matt 10:8). The kingdom is about giving and receiving.
Just as we share in the sufferings of Christ. Part of the package is that we do share in the sufferings of Christ. But with the suffering comes God's help, and this in abundance.
Patient endurance of suffering is a vital Christian virtue. Now look at the whole tenor of this passage: it is one of joy, thankfulness, praise and hope. It is not a case of poor little me who is suffering. It is suffering for a purpose, suffering in hope, knowing that eternal purposes are being achieved, knowing that God is working through us to bless others, knowing that we will know Christ all the more.
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