God Comforts that We May Comfort Others 2 Corinthians 1:4

Paul the apostle wrote, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” to the church members in Corinth as he continued his introduction to this second letter, and He referred to Him as “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort”. In chapter one and verse four of Second Corinthians Paul added to the Father's attributes as He shared how God, “comforts us in all our tribulation”, where we read:

Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

The verse begins, “Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, ...” Paul began with the words, “who comforts us” which means “God calls us to His side, summons, admonishes, exhorts, begs, entreats and beseeches Paul, his companions and the church members” “in all” or “within each, every, the whole and everyone of” “our tribulation” which refers to “Paul, his companions and the church members' pressings, oppressions, afflictions, distresses and straits”, “that we may be able” or “so Paul, his companions and the church members might have the power whether by virtue of having the capacity, strength and power” “to comfort them” or “to summon, admonish, exhort, beg, entreat and beseech other people” “which are in any trouble” which refers to “who are experiencing pressings, oppressions, afflictions, distresses and straits” as well. Paul declared how God “comforts” us when we are experiencing “trials or tribulations”, and we in turn are able to “comfort” others who experience them as well.

The verse continues, “... by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Paul added the words, “by the comfort” which means “through the calling to one's side, summoning, admonishing, exhorting, begging, entreating and beseeching” “wherewith” or “which or that” “we ourselves” which refers to “Paul, his companions and the church members” “are comforted” or “are called to one's side, summoned, admonished, exhorted, begged, entreated and beseeched” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul shared how he, the church members and his companions are able to “comfort” others with the same measure of “comfort” they have received from God.

When we consider these words from Paul, we understand more of why we go through some difficulties and trials. Jesus said, “in the world, you shall have tribulation” (John 16:33a), and everyone who lives experiences them. God promises to provide His “comfort” to those who endure difficulties and troubles, and when He does, those who suffer “trials” are to “comfort” others who go through them as well. Jesus added, “but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b) which demonstrates His willingness to “comfort” us when bad times come, and that shall inspire us to help others in their times of testing.

Next time Paul shares how, “the sufferings of Christ abound in us” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.