COMFORT IN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

2 Corinthians, Expository, Letters of Paul, New Testament

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…  5 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. 7 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.