2 Corinthians 1:5, Consolation Also Aboundeth by Christ

2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

These words of the Apostle Paul was a historical testimony to the founding of the church in Corinth in Acts 18:1-11 (KJV) ¹ After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; … ⁵ And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. ⁶ And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. He first preached to the Jews, his own countrymen, who rejected the message and persecuted him.

He encouraged himself in the Lord, preaching the gospel to the household next to the Jewish synagogue, resulting in the conversion the household of Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue – ⁷  And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. ⁸  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Our Lord encouraged the Apostle Paul to press on the gospel work in Corinth assuring him of His presence to protect and prosper the work – ⁹  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: ¹⁰  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. ¹¹  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Indeed, we can understand a little of the presence of Christ with us to encourage and guide us as we serve Him. Amen.