God of All Comfort

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 ESV

A year or so (or maybe less) after the writing of I Corinthians, Paul wrote this 2^nd epistle to the Corinthian saints. There had been a constant undercurrent of rebellion in that congregation, led by Judaizers (Jewish legalists, claiming to be Christian, but demanding ritual and works of the law as evidence of salvation). Religion hates grace and will sabotage it every way possible. Besides simply promoting false doctrine, these rebels rejected Paul’s apostolic authority and systematically undermined his teaching of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. Paul, himself had been working in Ephesus amid fierce opposition there, and was delayed in his intended visit to Corinth. He had sent Timothy to speak for him and to bring back a report from the Church. The news was not very good, because of this ongoing controversy, and the legalists were beginning to gain the upper hand. He had sent Titus then, to set things straight, and apparently the damage had been repaired with the majority of the saints, but there remained a pocket of discord among some in the congregation.

Paul stated his apostleship “by the will of God.” We’ve noted before that Paul didn’t seek this position. He had been intently trying to destroy the Church when he was way-laid by Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road and appointed an apostle to the Gentiles. From that point on, there was no question in his own mind about his commission. He knew, also, that this had been his destiny from eternity past. So, “grace to you,” Corinthians, “and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Timothy and I know exactly Whose we are and what our assignment is, regarding the Church. We greet you in the Name of God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 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. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.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. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Paul had been under extreme pressure in Ephesus, from the unbelieving opposition, we know, but he also seems to have become very ill, perhaps to the point of death. He thought he was dying, but God healed him and strengthened him again to do his work. Paul knew his affliction had humbled him and that God alone had delivered him, enabling him to move on with the ministry of the gospel.

Having experienced such suffering and such comfort in his suffering, Paul now was equipped to comfort others in similar adversities. It makes a difference when you have actually experienced the affliction you see someone else dealing with. It inspires empathy in you for them, and it inspires confidence in them that you really do understand their situation.

Those of us who have suffered rejection and ridicule from people we care about, because of our faith, can identify with those of all generations who have endured that same humiliation. People who have to try to defend the gospel of grace to those who think you must perform a certain way or you are not saved share the experience of these early Christians who had to contend with not only the pagans, but also the Judaizers for their faith. Paul had these circumstances to deal with and was also physically sick at the time the Corinthian saints were being led astray by the false teachers. It was God's mercy and comfort, not Paul's toughness, that pulled him through. He learned to depend on God's grace and God's perfect timing.

He knew he had experienced those things to better enable him to minister to the Churches in their afflictions. He knew what they were enduring, because he had endured it, and God had comforted him so that he could comfort the Church. It is a universal principle of Christianity. It strengthens our bond with the brethren. It confirms our faith in God’s provision. Christ is the believers’ comfort, extended through His Body, the Church.

“as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”

Everything has a purpose within the Royal Family of God.