2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:1–3 (KJV 1900)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Pauls typical greeting with the opening of where his authority comes from. Paul an apostle or chosen teacher of Jesus Christ, along with Timothy are addressing the church in Corinth along with all the saints in Achaia which covers most of the greek world in those days.

in verse 2 Paul repeats a common statement at the start of his letters. This is yet an important part. Paul is not writing to tear down or discourage. Although his letters contain an element of correction, the purpose is to grow the believers into a stronger relationship with God.

Verse 3 starts to give us an introduction of the first order of business in his letter. blessed be God, in this context simply means praise to God. Why is he praising God right now? Because He is the Father or our Savior, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.

This is the opening topic and the discussion of todays message. God is the Father of mercies and the God of all Comfort.

This is a significant saying! when we need Merci (compassion, undeserved assistance) who do we run to? Parents? Pastor? Neighbor? or God?

When we need comfort through a hard time, who do we run to? Parents? Neighbor? Chocolate? Video Games? or God?

2 Corinthians 1:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Who comforteth 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. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Paul tells us God is the father and BEST source of comfort! God will comfort us in ALL our tribulation! Paul tells us that the comfort we receive from God is to help teach us to comfort those who don’t know where to turn yet!

The suffering that Christ endured are going to pour over onto us. I think of collateral damage in a war zone when I think of this. When a bomb is dropped in a war zone, if the bomb hits its mark, destruction comes, but the blast does not stay contained to that small area, many times the buildings or people down the road also take damage. The world hates us because it hates Christ.

John 15:18 KJV 1900

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

What Paul is saying in verse 5 is just like the suffering of Christ has overflowed onto us, also the comfort of God will overflow onto us! We are not alone and we are not left without comfort if we keep our eyes on Jesus, keep our focus on Him and the promises he has given us!

2 Corinthians 1:6 KJV 1900

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Consolation from the greek Paraklesis = Comfort

Paul is sharing and important mindset that many believers do not get! Pauls eyes were not on himself and his suffering and his problems! Pauls focus was on others and ultimately knowing that God had a plan and that plan was for the ultimate good even if that means difficulty now. This truth alone gives strength to endure because my suffering is not pointless. I live for the Glory of God not for my own happiness.

2 Corinthians 1:7 (KJV 1900)

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Stedfast = certain

Pauls hope is a certain hope. He knows for 100% sure that we are all joining together and going through suffering and in the same way we all have the same comfort! its important to note that their suffering that Paul is talking about came because they were serving God! Our internet or electricity going out is not suffering for Christ! God still has a plan for that but we must keep the context, the very act of standing up and sharing the gospel and living for God will bring its own suffering and God will be their to comfort us in that suffering!

2 Corinthians 1:8–10 (MEV)

8 For we would not, brothers, have you ignorant of our troubles which came to us in Asia. We were pressured beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 We had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from so great a death and does deliver us. In Him we trust that He will still deliver us,

Paul wants them to be aware of how bad their suffering got! They felt as if they were going to die. This was not something they said to get pity, people were literally out to kill them and they had been beaten and left for dead more than once.

But God had a purpose, to show them they are weak and need God! and they must trust the God who raises the dead! even if they did die (which in the end most were murdered as they preached) they knew they would be with God. Their own life was not what they were worried about, their concern was on preaching the truth and living for God. How different would our society be if that was the mindset of all Christians?

2 Corinthians 1:11 (KJV 1900)

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

In the end they recognize the help they recieved from the church in Corinth. How did the church help, they were miles away? They prayed for them! Prayer is effective and prayer carries power! Why did the prayer have such power? because the objective of the prayer was to see God’s will accomplished by the preaching of the Gospel!

In this letter and others Paul and the other Apostles, even Christ was open and honest about what he needs prayer for. Christians today try to hide their struggles and keep them to themselves. they don’t want others to know they are human and have needs. This leads to christians being isolated and alone instead of being a united family that help, prays and comforts each other. We should seek our comfort from God and desire to give that comfort and accept that comfort from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Matthew 12:22 tells us a house divided can not stand. If we as a church are divided and not functioning as a unified family, we will fall to the destructive plans of the devil.