MERCIES AND COMFORT
2 Corinthians 1:1-4 NKJV
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Paul had some real challenges with the Corinthian church. They received his first letter, and it was quite helpful in correcting some of their doctrinal and behavioral issues. But since his last visit, a group rose up and was spreading the news that Paul was a fake apostle, that he was not the real deal. In this letter, Paul defends his position as a sent one, an apostle of the Lord. This is probably why he introduces himself in the first verse as an apostle of Jesus Christ. And he was an apostle by the will of God. It is God who calls and equips to do the work of an apostle, and Paul certainly qualified. Paul was the one who founded the church at Corinth.
And Paul once again calls the believers saints. Saint means holy, set apart, sanctified, and consecrated one. Paul calls all of those who have put their faith in Christ saints regardless of whether they are living up to that calling. But Paul placed great value in what had been accomplished in the spiritual new birth of an individual. Paul knew who they really were, spiritually speaking.
Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Pretty standard opening in Paul’s letters. He knew that it is God who gives grace to the humble and God who is the God of peace. Grace was a huge theme of Paul’s. He was a former enemy of the church. But because of God's grace, he became the church’s greatest advocate and representative.
Then Paul referred to God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. The word mercies is a word that describes the compassion one has for the sufferings of another. And God is the originator of these mercies. What a great picture of our Heavenly Father. Our Father is the standard of compassion for mankind. We are quick to attribute these qualities to people, but our Father is the source. If we stop and consider it all, the good qualities we appreciate in others are sourced in God. Remember, we didn’t evolve. We are created, and the love, compassion, and kindness we see in others are attributes of our Father in Heaven. It’s good to think that way. Our Father is the father of mercies and comfort.
To comfort means to encourage and strengthen. Our Father does not ignore us when things are difficult; instead, he comforts us in all our troubles so we are able to comfort others when they are going through difficult times. Knowing that our Father will comfort us in tribulation or trouble means that He is not the one sending the trouble our way. He is helping us and strengthening us so we can come through and then help others come through.
APPLICATION
If you have ever received comfort from God in a situation, then you are in a position to offer comfort to others. Many times, Joy and I have been comforted by the Lord in areas and have had to turn around and offer the same comfort to others. Comfort can come in a Scripture or an encouraging word from the Holy Spirit. Comfort can come through someone sharing insight as to how God helped them. The key is to look for God’s mercy and comfort in a time of trouble and then, look for others you can help through their problems. God comforts us and wants us to pass it on.
PRAYER
Thank You, Father, for Your mercies and Your comfort. Show me who I can offer Your comfort to in my life.