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"And our hope for you is steadfast..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:7

A STEADFAST HOPE

We may speak of hope in two ways. Firstly, there is the natural human hope that is common-place. Then there is a divine hope. It is of the latter that Paul wrote in the following text.

“And our hope for you is steadfast, because
we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings,
so also you will partake of the consolation.”
2 Corinthians 1:7

1. “And our hope for you is steadfast”

a) This is obviously not “human hope”.

b) Human hope is never “steadfast”.

c) Features of human hope:

i) There is no guarantee that everything would turn out well.

ii) There is no certainty that the individual would even be able to hold fast to his hope.

d) Divine hope is quite different.

i) Divine hope originates from faith.

ii) Faith and hope go together (Romans 5:1-5).

iii) There is certainty of the outcome of hope.

iv) Thus, we may speak of a steadfast hope.

2. “Partakers of the sufferings”

a) The non-believer will never suffer for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.

b) He has no reason to endure suffering.

c) Only the believer will be prepared to be a partaker of sufferings of Christ.

3. “Partake of the consolation”

a) The word “consolation” here is simply the same word as “comfort”.

b) God will Himself provide the comfort (consolation) for the one suffering.

c) He will provide that comfort through the Lord Jesus Christ.

d) In turn, the Holy Spirit Himself will give that effective comfort (John 14:16).

The word “Helper” (NKJV) is the same word as “comfort”.

STEADFASTNESS

There may be tribulation in life. God’s plan will be fulfilled along the plans found in Romans 5:1-5.

1. Tribulation will produce perseverance.

2. From perseverance character is formed.

3. From character a steadfast hope will emerge and it will never disappoint.