Note 4 at 2 Cor. 1:4: The Greek noun "THLIPSIS," translated "trouble" here, was translated nine times in 2 Corinthians (2Co 1:4 [twice], 8 [once]; 2:4 [once]; 4:17 [once]; 6:4 [once]; 7:4 [once]; 8:2 [once], and 13 [once]) as the English words "tribulation," "trouble," "affliction," "afflictions," and "burdened." The corresponding verb, "THLIBO," was used three times (2Co 1:6, 4:8, and 7:5) and was translated "troubled" and "afflicted."

Paul was speaking from personal experience, as one who had undergone severe tribulation. He had fought wild beasts at Ephesus (1Co 15:32), been arrested and imprisoned, been beaten severely, faced death time and again, been stoned, been shipwrecked, and been exposed to the open sea. He had been in danger from flooded rivers, bandits, the Jews, the Gentiles, and false brethren. He had gone without sleep and had been hungry, thirsty, cold, naked, and faced pressure from concern over the churches (2Co 11:23-28). If anyone knew how to go through troubles with Christ's strength, he did.

In 2Co 12:9, God revealed to Paul that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Paul, who had experienced God's comfort in a way that perhaps no other person has, here revealed how the Lord accomplished this. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit. True Christianity is not the absence of trials but the strength and comfort of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, bringing us through to the other side (Php 4:11-13).

Even a strong metal container, if it has a vacuum inside, will be crushed by just normal atmospheric pressure. However, that same container with an equal or greater pressure inside will be just fine. Likewise, an individual who is void of God's comfort inside will be crushed by the pressures of this life, but a believer who takes advantage of the comfort available through the Holy Spirit can withstand anything. Victory is not dependent on the pressures without but rather the comfort within.

Note 5 at 2 Cor. 1:4: Some people have used this verse to teach that we can't help others unless we have gone through the same thing they are experiencing. That is not true. You don't have to experience rape to help comfort someone who has. You do need to have experiential knowledge of God's comfort, but it doesn't necessarily have to be in that particular area.