2 Corinthians 1:7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
Paul expresses his confidence that the Corinthians will respond positively to his letter. This is a rhetorical ploy where Paul as the author builds up the readers in order to welcome and even urge the proper response. It puts a subtle pressure on the Corinthians to listen in closely to what Paul says throughout this letter. He wants them to share in his sufferings. This does not mean that he wants them to suffer like he does, but rather that they identify with his sufferings by accepting the meaning of these. These sufferings are not signs of weakness or shame but are badges of honor because he suffers for Christ. He has followed the will of Christ even when this brought persecution. He wants the Corinthians to accept and even appreciate what he has gone through. Their identity with him in this way enables them to help carry the load with him.
Through this identification and partnership in the gospel and any suffering that may result from sharing this message in the world, the Corinthians enable themselves to be channels of comfort for Paul. If they reject his suffering, they cut off the work of God’s grace within them. They cannot share in the comfort unless they share in some way in the suffering.
The truth of this situation speaks to us today. It is difficult if not really impossible to offer comfort to someone without empathy. Any comfort becomes only lip service, meaningless platitudes, and empty words. We must walk in people’s shoes in order to offer words of comfort. This can be as simple as the ministry of presence, spending time with the hurting. It may mean sharing our own stories of pain, suffering and grief. The ways to suffer with people are numerous. Through this deep fellowship with those who hurt, we open ourselves to be instruments of God’s grace and peace to them.
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