John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:15

"For all things [are] for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God." — 2 Corinthians 4:15 (ASV)

For all things are for your sakes. He now associates himself with the Corinthians, not merely in the hope of future blessedness, but also in these very afflictions, in which they might seem to differ from him most widely, for he lets them know that if he is afflicted, it is for their benefit.

Hence it follows that there was good reason why they should transfer part of them to themselves. What Paul states depends first of all on that secret fellowship which the members of Christ have with one another, but chiefly on that mutual connection and relationship which particularly needed to be manifested among them. Now this admonition was of great benefit to the Corinthians and brought with it choice consolation. For what consolation there is in this—that while God, sparing our weakness, deals with us more gently, those who are endowed with more distinguished excellence are afflicted for the common advantage of all! They were also admonished that since they could not aid Paul otherwise, they should at least help him by their prayers and sympathy.

That the grace which hath abounded. He now commends that agreement between the members of Christ on the ground of the fruit that springs from it—its tendency to advance the glory of God. By metonymy, according to his usual manner, he means by the term grace that blessing of deliverance of which he had made mention previously: that while he was weighed down, he was nevertheless not in anxiety; while oppressed with poverty, he was not left destitute, etc. (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).

And finally, that he had a deliverance continually afforded him from every kind of evil. This grace, he says, overflows. By this he means that it was not confined to himself personally, so that he alone enjoys it, but it extends itself further—namely, to the Corinthians, to whom it was of great advantage. When he makes the overflowing of God’s gift consist in gratitude tending to the glory of its Author, he admonishes us that every blessing God confers upon us perishes through our carelessness if we are not prompt and active in rendering thanks.