II Corinthians 1:5-11

The Ancient City of Corinth

Southern Peninsula of Greece

called the Peloponnesus

Why does God allow

Christians to suffer so
much?
I. It is the only way to discover what
God can do for us.
Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous
suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "Theyre the only ones
who can take it."...

For as the sufferings(pathemaexternal afflictions) of Christ

abound(perisseuo-beyond the prescribed
amount) in us, so our
consolation(paraklesis- comfort,
strengthening) also abounds (perisseuo)
by Christ II Corinthinas 1:5

Winged Nike in
front of an alter

Why does God allow

Christians to suffer so
much?
II. To Be Examples of Gods Grace
To Others
C.S. Lewis- Pain insists upon being attended to, God
whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience,
but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf
world."

And whether we be afflicted (thlibo- pressed,

afflicted troubled , [it is] for your consolation (paraklesiscomfort) and salvation, which is effectual(energeoeffectively working) in the enduring(hupmone- stedfast
endurance) of the same sufferings(pathema- external
affliction, calamnity) which we also suffer: or whether we
be comforted (paraklesis), [it is] for your consolation
(paraklesis), and salvation (soteria). II Corinthians 1:6

And our hope (elpis-stedfast confidence) of you [is]

stedfast (bebaios- walking firmly), knowing (eidoperceiving with the eyes, or senses), that as you are
partakers (koinonos-partner, sharer) of the sufferings
(pathema- external affliction), so [shall you be] also of the
consolation (paraklesis- comfort). II Corinthians 1:7

He Maketh No Mistake
My Father's way may twist and turn, My heart may throb and ache,
But in my soul I'm glad I know, He maketh no mistake.
Though night be dark and it may seem That day will never break,
I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake.

Why does God allow

Christians to suffer so
much?
III. To Break the Stubborn Spirit of
Self-Will
"Come to me O blessed trial, I need you. For you always
draw me to the arms of the Savior." George Whitfield

For we would not, brethren, have you

ignorant(agnoeo) of our trouble (thlipsis) which came to
us in Asia, that we were pressed out (bareo- bearing heavy
weight) of measure above strength (dunamis), insomuch
that we despaired (exaporeomai destitute of all resources,
loss of all hope) even of life (zao-physical life) II
Corinthians 1:8

But we had the sentence (apokrima- an answer of

judgment Self, will I come out this alive? Self answers
and says, surely you are going to die): of death
(thanatos-physical death) in ourselves, that we should
(peitho-persuded to believe words) - not trust (peitho) in
ourselves, but in God which raises (egeiro- to wake or
raise) the dead (nekros-those physically dead):
II Corinthian 1:9

Who delivered (rhoumai- deliver or rescue) us from

so great (telekoutos- great in size) a death (thanatos), and
does deliver (rhoumai): in whom we trust (peithopersuaded to believe the words) that he will yet deliver
(rhoumai) [us]; II Corinthians 1:10

my soul is full of troubles: and my life draws near unto

the graveYou have afflicted me with all your waves.
My eye mourns by reason of affliction: LORD, I have
called daily upon You, I have stretched out my hands unto

Why does God allow

Christians to suffer so
much?
IV. To Learn We are Dependent on
One Another
"Programs, systems and methods sit well in the ivory
towers of monasteries or in the wooden arms of icons. Head
knowledge comes from the pages of a theology text. But the
invitation to know God - truly know Him - is always an invitation
to suffer. Not to suffer alone, but to suffer with Him." Joni
Eareckson Tada

You also helping together by prayer for us, that for

the gift [bestowed] upon us by the means of many persons
thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
II Corinthians 1:11

Who delivered us from so great a death, and

does deliver: in whom we trust that He will
yet deliver us. I Cor. 1:10