2 Corinthians 1, For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us

2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

This was written from Macedonia not long after Paul's leaving Asia, it would not be many months after the dispatch of the First Epistle.
This was probably in A.D. 57 (winter) or spring of A.D. 58
Timothy is associated with Paul in the address of the epistles to Philippians, Colossians; and with Paul and Silas in the two epistles to the Thessalonians
Saints = Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Blessed = Are those that teach God's word
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
They changed the truth of God into a lie, and this began in Genesis 3:4-5.
Satan said, surly the day you eat here of, you'll become wise, etc.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Don't be deceived as Eve, by the serpent
The serpent wholly seduce her by deceiving her, through his trickery or sophistry.
Beguiled: to seduce wholly, deceive, of uncertain derivation; to cheat
Subtilty: trickery or sophistry
We see a comparison in this day and age when the Kenites, that have slipped in among the Jewish people, return to Jerusalem even at this time and make ready for the false christ (Satan).
Today's churches teach that the Kenites are God's chosen people, and the layman is unaware of this delusion.
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
The God of all comfort = Acts 7:2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Comfort = Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

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.

Tribulation = same as trouble
Acts 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

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

The more you suffer, the more the Lord will be with you
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
If we suffer with Him and for Him a little bit now, it matters not as we will also glorified with Him.
Consolation = comfort = same as verse 4

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.

Afflicted = same as tribulation in verse 4
2 Corinthians 4:8 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
Is effectual = worketh
Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
When we were in the unspiritual, our old pre-Christian nature, the craving of sin worked in us.
Enduring = generally translation "patience"

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.

Of = on behalf of
Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

The reference may be to the riot at Ephesus, where his life have been in danger, but for the counsel of his friends; but the following verse rather indicate some dangerous sickness.
Acts 19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
Ignorant = concerning to us
Romans 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that often times I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
I have wanted to come there many times and I don't want you to be ignorant concerning that, but I was taken else where as well.
Pressed = weighted down = heavy
Matthew 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Sentence = we had the answer of death in ourselves
The only issue he could see from his was "death"

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

God was there for us
Note the different tenses
Trust = hope

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Helping together = co=operating = Your prayers helped
By the means of = from
Thanks may be given = it may be thanked
Acts 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
On our behalf = on account of = same as "for" in verse 6, us

12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

godly sincerity = sincerity of God
1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Rejoicing = boasting = the act of boasting
Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
What are you bragging about?
Salvation doesn't come by law or by good works, but only by believing in Jesus Christ.
Always give God the credit for His help
The simple truth will bring you through your troubles, with God's Help
Conscience = Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Have had our conversation = behaved, or lived

13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Paul is saying, Not everyone believed as us
In part = a part of you, the faithful ones
Rejoicing = ground of boasting
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Abraham's good works were glorious, but not necessarily in God's viewpoint.

15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

Was minded = wished
Before = before visiting Macedonia

16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

Follow God always
Brought on my way = the ways by the church
Acts 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

Yea yea and nay nay = it's man words = That is, one thing to-day and another tomorrow
Teach God's word
That's what wrong with the law today, they don't do as God's laws
Lightness = fickleness
Purpose = plan

18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

True = faithful

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

If you start listen to men = always check out what they say = in God's Word

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Isaiah 43:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Isaiah 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

Stablisheth = confirms
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Paul is saying, Christ was a minister to true Israel, thus confirming the promises made to Abraham.

22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Also sealed us = seal us also
John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Spirit = The operation of the Spirit is the pledge of the fulfillment of the promises.

23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Don't over look this = Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

For that = because
Have dominion = Through death that He died was for sin.
Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Hebrew 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrew 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

• Exactly 2520 years from the exile of Benjamin, Iceland became an independent nation.

• The first tribe to be conquered by the Assyrians was Manasseh, in 745 B.C. Exactly 2520 years later America became a nation on July 4, 1776.

(Leviticus. 26: 28-46) God warned Israel that if they persisted in continually breaking His Laws, not only would curses come upon them.

He would punish them for seven times, (a time being 360 years, seven times would be 2520 years) and would banish them from the land of Palestine and scatter them among the heathens (like lost sheep)

• Study the book: Abrahamic Covenant, (A study outline of the identity of God's people) By E. Raymond Capt - page 25