⁷ 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.  

⁷ And our hope for you  

“Hope” in Scripture is not a wish; the idea is confidence about something in the future. Hope, biblically, is always based on truth. There is no doubt that God will be true to His promises (Ro 8:18-30). God is in sovereign control of any event that may come our way. 

is steadfast,  

Paul and Timothy were persistent in their confidence in what God would do through them. The word “steadfast” means firm. This is a term of certitude. Paul was confident in Christ’s help in any situation. 

because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings,  

Here we have another as/so statement. As stated above, God puts both sufferings and consolation as a tandem in the life of every believer. 

so also you will partake of the consolation.  

The word “comfort” or “consolation” carries the idea of to make strong. The person who has consolation can cope with anything that may come his way. 

PRINCIPLE: 

Our troubles are never accidental. 

APPLICATION: 

The Christian’s troubles are not accidental or incidental; they come by divine design. They are par for the course of Christian living. The Christian view of suffering is not fate or chance. Biblical viewpoint is that God is in control, and we can trust Him in any circumstance. 

God does not deliver us from affliction but in affliction. The believer has a factor that non-Christians do not have when it comes to distress. We have confidence that God will be with us no matter what our situation may be. Since Christ gives comfort, Christians can endure suffering until He comes again. God’s purpose in the believer’s suffering is to bring glory to God.