For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
Ver. 5. As the sufferings of Christ] So called, either because the saints suffer for Christ, or because they have him suffering with them, Acts 9:4. God is more provoked than Nehemiah, Nehemiah 4:3; Nehemiah 4:5 .
So our consolation] As the lower the ebb, the higher the tide, οπου πλεων κοπος, πολυ κερδος, saith Ignatius. The more pain, the more gain. It is to my loss if you bate me anything in my sufferings. As the hotter the day, the greater the dew at night; so the hotter the time of trouble, the greater the dews of refreshing from God.