2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Here I begin Second Corinthians. This is another letter to those at the Corinthian church. It begins with customary greetings and moves into the idea of comfort.

God is the "father of mercies and God of all comfort" (v3, ESV). Clearly we have received mercy because we are still alive right now. If we had not received mercy, each and everyone one of us would have been struck down by lightning already.

who comforts us all in 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.

(v4, ESV)

There are many ways in which God comforts us. It's comforting to know that our God is bigger than us. I think I quoted this a while back, but I'll do it again anyway.

My God is so big,

So strong and so mighty,

There's nothing my God cannot do.

(My God is so big, Song)

God is so powerful and mighty and wise and all knowing. I take comfort in the fact that God looking out for me. Even when it doesn't look like it, I know in the end I'll just look back and laugh. This is because God's got it under control.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

(Romans 8:28-30, NIV)

Through God who comforts us, we can comfort others. It is because of his comfort towards us that we even have the ability to comfort others. That must mean that the methods or the ways in which we are comforted by God are the way to comfort others. When I am comforted through beautiful scripture from the Word of God, maybe I should show that to others to comfort them.

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

(v5, NIV)

Though we do receive comfort through God and how awesome he is, this is not specifically what the passage is referring to. This comfort is the one we receive through Christ's sufferings. Jesus suffered and died for our sins. Because of him and his sacrifice we are saved and can come into a loving relationship with our Lord. We have been redeemed and have hope beyond the grave.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16, NIV)

How comforting is it to know that God loved us so much that he gave his only son for us? How comforting is it to know that Jesus paid the price for us?

It's interesting how sufferings leads to comfort. Not only Jesus, but Paul is referring to their own sufferings leading to comfort and salvation. In addition, Paul's comfort leads to their comfort.

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

(v9-10, NIV)

In this case, they were near to death. However, these trials make me think of James and Romans.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

(James 1:2-3, NIV)

Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.

(Romans 5:3-4, NIV)

Through these experiences, they learn to rely on God. These trials and sufferings continue to build us up and mould us. Our hope remains in God.

as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

(v11, NIV)

Let us not forget to pray and pray for one another. In all things let us comfort one another. We know we receive comfort from God and through this we are able to comfort others.