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1. We are not here to understand a participation in those He endured as the substitute for sinners, although in a certain sense we do share them, and that not only in the sense of enjoying their advantages. They are ours because Christ suffered in our room and stead. But here Paul refers to Christ's sufferings in general.

2. Nor are we to understand them as metaphorical; that as Christ died, so are we to die to sin; as Christ was nailed to the cross, so are we to crucify our corrupt passions. This is an important truth, and Paul emphasizes it elsewhere. But here it is a real fellowship in positive pain to which he adverts.

3. This was a strange desire, one which few of us would entertain. We wish to have fellowship in joy, and seek how we can pass through life with the least inconvenience. It would not have been surprising had the apostle denied fellowship with Christ in His glory. Yet he did not desire suffering for its own sake, but for its benefit. He knew well that God's order was first the cross, then the crown; fellowship with Christ, first in suffering, then in glory.

I. IN WHAT SUFFERINGS CAN WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST?

1. Negatively.

(1) Not in His atoning sufferings. These He bore alone, and we cannot partake in them. No man can make atonement for his own or others' sins.

(2) Not in sufferings which arise out of guilt. As we cannot be partakers in Christ's atoning, He cannot partake of our sinful sufferings. In. the accusation of conscience, sense of guilt, fear of wrath, loss of character, evil effects in self and others, He can have no share. He "was holy, harmless," etc.

(3) Not in certain forms of bodily affliction. Christ never was sick or unwell. Of course there is an important sense in which He was a partaker of this class of sufferings. His deep sympathy, sensitive tenderness, made Him feel the afflictions of others keenly.

2. Positively. We are partakers in those which arise —

(1) Front persecution for righteousness' sake. Such constituted a large portion of our Lord's. His whole life was one of persecution, beginning with His birth, closing only with His death. In this respect the apostles were conformed to their Master. It is true, thank God, that we are not now liable to sufferings of the same nature; but a man who maintains a high standard of religion, and condemns the world by his conduct, will meet with persecution in the way of petty annoyances, designed misconceptions, and coldness.

(2) From sympathy with the distressed. Every distress Christ witnessed was photographed on His soul. "We have not a High Priest who cannot be touched," etc. In this sense believers must be conformed to Christ. The same loving, sympathizing spirit that was in Him must be in them.

(3) From grief for sin. Much of Christ's sorrow arose from unavoidable intercourse with the wicked. When infinite purity comes in contact with impurity, sorrow and moral indignation must be the result. And so it is with true believers. The state of the world around them, drunkenness, Sabbath profanation, etc., must be peculiarly afflictive.

(4) From spiritual distress. This Christ knew well in Gethsemane and on the cross, when He complained of spiritual desertion, and similar sufferings are experienced by believers when the light of God's countenance is obscured.

II. THE BENEFITS ARISING FROM THIS FELLOWSHIP. "Sorrow is better than laughter." Uninterrupted prosperity has a prejudicial influence over our spiritual nature, and tempts us to forget God. Suffering —

1. Purifies the soul. In the furnace of affliction the dross of earth is removed, passions are mortified; pride is humbled, and so our graces are confirmed and strengthened.

2. Draws forth the better qualities of a man. The seeds of virtue germinate in the hotbed of affliction.

3. Enables us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4, etc.).

4. Prepares for heaven. "Our light afflictions," etc. Conclusion: Suffering by itself will not produce these benefits; only when accompanied by the operation of the Holy Ghost. The fire which melts some substances hardens others: so some are improved by affliction, while others by reason of their own perverseness are made worse.

(P. J. Gloag, D. D.)

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KJV: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

WEB: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;