The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 33

Ver. 5.-(Jhrist's sufferings renewed in his disciples. '.' For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us." We have expressed here a characte~istic and familiar thought of the apostle's-the one which brought to him the fullest and deepest consolations. It iR true, but it is too easily apprehended to be all the truth, that St. Paul's sufferings, borne in fulfilling his ministry, were Christ's sufferings because a part of his service; but the apostle evidently reached the unspeakably precious and inspiring view of Christian suffering which sees it to be Christ's, because it is essentially like his--it is vicarious, it is home for others. He says, "Whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation . . . or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation." St. Paul would know " the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" even to that death in its vicariousness, as a sublime self-sacrifice for the salvation of others. For the thought that in our sufferings, of whatever nature, we share Christ's sufferings, comp. eh. iv. 10; Phil. iii. 13; Col. i. 24; 1 Pet. iv. 13. All vicariously borne suffering is Christly; it is the kind of which he is the Leader and the sublime Example; it is even necessary, as attendant on all human efforts to bless others. Every one who would help another must take into account that he may have to suffer in doing it. Illustrate by the doctor, or the man who tries to save, from water, or fire, or accident, a fellow-creature. He may even perish in so doing. The Christian may cherish this supreme comfort-he may become to others, in measure, what Christ is to him. He may become the inspiration of vicarious service. His Christly example may act on men as Christ's example acted on him. If it might be so, St. Paul was willing to suffer. It may be shown and illustrated that such Christ-like enduring has- I. A TEACHING power on others. It brings its revelations of God and brotherhood. It opens mysteries. It impresses the evil of sin. II. An ELEVATING power on others. It lifts men up to bear their own sufferings well, when we can show them the Christ-likeness of ours. III. A COMFORTING power, since it shows, not only how God's grace can abound, but also how God can tum even what we think evil into gracious agency for blessing. Sufferers still can strengthen, help, and save others.-R. T. Vere. S-11.-Tlie sa1ndifying influence of nearness to death. In God's providence he brings his people ~ometimes to the " border-land," and, after giving the expectation, and almost the experience, of death, he leads them back to life and labour and relations again. Of this Hezekiah is the prominent Dible example. The sufferings through which the apostle bad passed are not here detailed, and there is found much difficulty in deciding to what experiences he refers. Some think he recalls the tumult in Ephesus, which Dean Stanley shows was a more serious affair than Luke's narrative alone would suggest. Others think that 10me time of grievous and imperilling sickness is alluded OH, 1. 1-24.] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 33