2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7 – COMFORT IN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS

  • When we find ourselves in difficult situations, what kinds of people are the best comforters?
  • How helpful is “Been there, done that” when we are seeking comfort?
  • The Apostle Paul had faced all sorts of trials in his lifetime. 2 Corinthians 11:23-29
  • As he begins his epistle, Paul is giving praise to God for the comfort he received that he could use to comfort others. He addresses 3 issues. 

WHO GOD IS- 2 Corinthians 1:3

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

  • In the Old Testament, God is referred to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • In the New Testament, Jesus left Heaven where He is God in all His glory and came to earth as a human being. It is through this relationship that God is His Father.
  • It is because of what Jesus has done for us, that we can become children of God. John 1:12-13, 1 John 3:1-2
  • Notice that Jesus is our Lord (Deity), Jesus (Humanity), Christ (God’s anointed!)
  • “Father of mercies”. Lamentations 3:22, Psalm 145:8-9
  • “God of all Comfort”. The word “comfort” is the same word used to describe the Holy Spirit. Another word we could use for comforter is “helper”.

WHAT GOD DOES – 2 Corinthians 1:4a, 5

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation…  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 

  • The more Paul suffered for Christ, the greater the comfort He received.
  • I think of three sources of comfort for Christians: The Word of God, The Spirit of God, and the Children of God. 

WHY GOD DOES IT – 2 Corinthians 1:4b, 6-7

… that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. …

And whether we be afflicted, mit is for your consolation and salvation, which nis effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, pso shall ye be also of the consolation.

  • Paul was comforted so he could comfort others.
  • We are comforted so we can comfort others.