2 Corinthians 4:15 For all these things are for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Paul’s suffering and his testimony of faithfulness has been for the benefit of the Corinthians. Our suffering can help others by encouraging them to be faithful during their own challenges. He had experienced the power of God’s grace. God’s grace grows and extends through the testimony of other people. We can be instruments of grace to others. That means that we may also be the cause for this grace not to go to others. We may hinder the testimony and effectiveness of grace reaching other people. Paul does not want this to happen for the Corinthians. He and his travel companions have been channels of grace, and his hope is that the Corinthians will be channels of grace to others.
The result of this testimony of grace is thanksgiving. Being instruments of God’s grace points people to God and brings God’s glory. When people see God at work, and especially when they experience change in their lives because of this grace, they will be full of thanksgiving. This thanksgiving overflows in abundance. Giving thanks is an essential step in spiritual growth and bearing witness to the gospel. There is also an important link between thanksgiving and giving glory to God. Thanksgiving is acknowledging God’s sovereignty and power. It is impossible to give genuine thanks to God without acknowledging God’s power and grace.
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