Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians: God of All Comfort, 1:3-7

God of All Comfort

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in

our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

Paul’s approach is to urge and persuade, not command the Corinthians into more godly behavior. Here he stresses that he has received comfort, but goes on to urge his listeners to be givers of comfort. This letter is full of evidence that Paul underwent considerable physical suffering and spiritual anxiety over his converts. Paul believes there are significant benefits that go with suffering for Christ’s sake, namely the joy and encouragement one gets from seeing others come to and grow in Christ. In this beginning section, Paul stresses for the sake of reconciliation both his fellowship with them and its mutual nature.

He that is down needs fear no fall,

He that is low, no pride:

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.

I am content with what I have,

Little be it or much:

And, Lord, contentment still I crave;

Because thou savest such.

John Bunyan, 1628-1688