(5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (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. (7) And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
The sufferings of Christ, which the Apostle here speaks of, cannot be supposed to mean Christ's personal sufferings when on earth; but rather, the solemn Meditation upon them. While a child of God is receiving the blessed consequences of the Lord's death, grace will cause him to call to mind, the vast purchase from the guilt and tremendous punishment due to sin, by the blood of the cross, and his soul, will in consequence, at times, contemplate with holy sorrow, the wormwood and the gall. And perhaps Paul's expression of the sufferings of Christ, might have respect to the present afflictions in Christ's members. There is a passage in the Apostle's Epistle to the Colossians, which may assist to throw some light upon the subject: Who now rejoice (saith Paul) in my sufferings. for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body's sake, which is the Church, Colossians 1:24. By which we seem authorized to conclude, that the sympathy of Christ with his members is such, that what they feel, Jesus knows, and hath affections for them, suited to this relationship. These sufferings of Christ in his members have no relation in point of satisfaction to make amends for offended justice. The most ample retribution hath been made, in the obedience and death of Christ once for all, Hebrews 10:14. But these sufferings are perfectly distinct from every idea of satisfaction. They are the consequences of the present imperfect state of being in which Christ's members are; therefore, while any of His remain under any of the consequences of imperfection and sorrow, Christ feels for them; and as such, they may be called his sufferings in them. And this explains that sweet Scripture: Whoso toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye, Zechariah 2:8. Hence, Christ called from Heaven on Saul: why persecutest thou me? Acts 9:5. Reader! what a precious thought! Surely, every child of God ought to encourage it. He may say, Jesus, though at the fountain-head of glory and joy, and complete as he is in his own Person, in everything that is blessed; yet in his members, he enters into all their concerns. He feels for them, participates with them, and hath not only all the mercies of his divine nature, going forth in continual watching over them; but by virtue of his human nature, he doth as much take part with them, as a man pities and feels for his friend. Yea! the child may, and ought to say: my God, my Savoir, my Jesus; might as soon cease to be God, or cease to be man, or the union of both be done away, as cease to enter into all and every concern of his people!
But Paul adds another sweet observation to this subject. He saith, that as the sufferings of Christ abound in his people, so their consolation abounded by Christ. By which I apprehend the Apostle meant, that Christ becomes the source of every consolation to his redeemed. Not his gifts, not his graces, but himself. Christ is the whole consolation of the Church. Hence those of the faithful, who, taught of God the Holy Ghost to be on the lookout for Christ's coming, at the time when the Son of God appeared in substance of our flesh, were said to have been waiting for the consolation of Israel, Luke 2:25.