1:5
Notice the assumptions that we do share in the sufferings of Christ. The super apostles whom we shall encounter later, considered suffering to be at odds with faith, just as some groups do today. This is contrary to what all of the New Testament teaches, and this, along with our weakness, will be emphasised throughout this letter. But it is not suffering for its own sake, and it is not just about suffering. Here, suffering does not come alone, it is accompanied, or followed, by the comfort “that abounds through Christ”.
1:6
Some considered it wrong that Paul was suffering, or a cause for concern. Paul knew that the suffering which he and his co-workers endured was for the comfort of others, including the Corinthian church, and for their salvation. This, of course, did not mean that they were saved through Paul’s suffering, but that it was all part of the plan of salvation. Paul also implies that the Corinthians were liable to encounter the same suffering. When they did, then Paul’s example would be a comfort to them, an indicator that they could triumph in the midst of suffering. It would produce the same “patient endurance” in them. In the West being a Christian has for many years been a fairly comfortable experience. We have supported by prayer and financially Christians in parts of the world where they have endured great persecution, and we will have been encouraged by their continued faithfulness. We should be aware that being a Christian in the West is now becoming increasingly less comfortable, and this trend is likely to continue. We should be assured that if persecution does come our way, then God is able to enable us to get through it.
No comments:
Post a Comment