Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 1:6

"But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:" — 2 Corinthians 1:6 (ASV)

And whether we be afflicted. If we are afflicted, or our affliction is for this purpose. This verse is designed to show one of the reasons for the sufferings which the apostles had endured. It is a fine example of Paul's skill in his epistles: he shows that all his trials were for their welfare and would turn to their benefit. He suffered that they might be comforted; he was afflicted for their advantage.

This assurance would tend to conciliate their favour and strengthen their affection for him, as it would show them that he was disinterested. We are under the deepest obligations of gratitude to one who suffers for us; indeed, there is nothing that will bind us more tenderly to anyone than the fact that he has been subjected to great calamity and trial for our sake. This is one of the reasons why the Christian feels his obligation to the Lord Jesus Christ so tenderly.

It is for your consolation and salvation. It will be useful for your consolation; or it is endured in order to secure your comfort and promote your salvation. Paul had suffered in Ephesus, and it is to this that he particularly refers here. He does not mean to say that his sufferings there were particularly for the comfort of the Corinthians; but that they had been endured in the general purpose of promoting the salvation of men, and that they, together with others, would reap the benefit of his trials. He endured them in order to spread the true religion, and they would be benefited by that. Besides, through his trials, he would be better able to administer the true consolations of the gospel to them in their sufferings. His example, experience, and counsel would enable them to bear up under their own trials in a proper manner.

Which is effectual, etc. Margin, wrought. The Greek word energoumenē denotes here efficacious, operating to, producing; and the phrase denotes that their salvation would be effected, wrought out, or secured by the patient endurance of such sufferings. Those sufferings were necessary, and a patient endurance of them would tend to promote their salvation. The doctrine that the patient endurance of affliction tends to promote salvation is everywhere taught in the Bible. (See Barnes on Romans 5:3).

In the enduring. By your enduring; or by your patience in such sufferings. You are called to endure the same kind of sufferings, and patience in such trials will tend to promote your salvation.

Or whether we be comforted, etc. One design of our being comforted is that we may be able to impart consolation to you in times of similar trial and calamity. (See 2 Corinthians 1:4). The sentiment of the whole passage is that their eternal welfare would be promoted by the example of the apostles in their trials, and by the consolations which they would be able to impart as the result of their afflictions.