2 Corinthians 1:7

Our hope of you. That is, for you, or concerning you. Paul’s confidence concerning them was based on his own experience. As he had obtained comfort from God in times of trial, he knows that others can also under similar circumstances. Such is the privilege of all who share the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings.

As ye are partakers. In vs. 4-6 Paul has referred to his own experience. The comfort of which he speaks can be realized only by experiencing affliction. Evidently the Corinthians had been subjected to trials similar, in some respects, to those Paul had endured. Such trials were common to the early churches, and served to unite all true believers in a fellowship of suffering — and consolation. Christians expected to endure persecution for Christ’s sake (cf. John 16:33).

Christian steadfastness is no merely emotional state into which men work themselves. It is the product of divine love and grace operating in the lives of consecrated men and women. It is a hope based upon past evidences of God’s saving power and “comfort” in times of trial. The experience of relying on God at such times provides a firm foundation for steadfastness on later occasions (cf. 1 Peter 5:10).