2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
Blessed be
The Greek word used here is "eulogētos," which means "praised" or "well spoken of." This term is often used in doxologies, expressions of praise to God. In the Jewish tradition, blessings were a common way to acknowledge God's sovereignty and goodness. Paul begins this letter with a doxology, setting a tone of reverence and gratitude. This phrase invites believers to join in the act of worship, recognizing God's supreme authority and benevolence.

the God and Father
This phrase emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and Jesus Christ, highlighting the Trinitarian belief central to Christian doctrine. The term "Father" (Greek: "patēr") signifies not only a familial relationship but also authority and origin. In the historical context, referring to God as "Father" was a radical affirmation of personal relationship and care, contrasting with the distant deities of Greco-Roman religions.

of our Lord Jesus Christ
The title "Lord" (Greek: "Kyrios") affirms the divinity and authority of Jesus, acknowledging Him as sovereign. "Jesus" (Greek: "Iēsous") is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh saves." "Christ" (Greek: "Christos") means "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah." This phrase encapsulates the core Christian belief in Jesus as the divine Savior and anointed King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.

the Father of compassion
The Greek word for "compassion" is "oiktirmos," which conveys a deep sense of mercy and pity. This description of God underscores His nature as one who is deeply moved by human suffering and who acts to alleviate it. In the historical context of a world filled with suffering and injustice, this portrayal of God as compassionate would have been profoundly comforting to early Christians facing persecution.

and the God of all comfort
The word "comfort" comes from the Greek "paraklēsis," which means "to come alongside and help." This term is related to the Holy Spirit, referred to as the "Paraclete" or "Comforter" in the Gospel of John. The phrase "God of all comfort" assures believers that God is the ultimate source of solace and strength in times of trouble. Historically, this assurance would have been vital for the Corinthian church, which faced internal strife and external pressures. This verse invites believers to rely on God's unfailing support and presence in every circumstance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. He is known for his missionary journeys and his letters to early Christian communities.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and diversity. The church in Corinth faced various challenges, including divisions and moral issues.

3. God the Father
Referred to as the "Father of compassion" and "God of all comfort," highlighting His nature and relationship with believers.

4. Jesus Christ
The Son of God, through whom believers have a relationship with God the Father. His life, death, and resurrection are central to Christian faith.

5. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a community of believers navigating their faith in a complex cultural environment.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Nature
God is described as the "Father of compassion" and "God of all comfort." This highlights His intrinsic nature to care for and comfort His children. Believers can find solace in knowing that God is inherently compassionate and comforting.

Experiencing God's Comfort
In times of distress, believers are encouraged to turn to God, who is the ultimate source of comfort. This comfort is not just emotional but also spiritual, providing strength and peace.

Reflecting God's Compassion
As recipients of God's compassion, Christians are called to reflect this attribute in their interactions with others. This involves showing empathy, kindness, and support to those in need.

The Role of Jesus Christ
The relationship with God as the Father of compassion is made possible through Jesus Christ. Understanding this connection is crucial for experiencing the fullness of God's comfort.

Community Support
The church community is a vital channel through which God's comfort is often experienced. Believers are encouraged to support one another, sharing in both joys and sorrows.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as the "Father of compassion" influence your personal relationship with Him?

2. In what ways can you seek God's comfort in your current life circumstances?

3. How can you reflect God's compassion in your daily interactions with others?

4. What role does Jesus Christ play in your understanding of God as a comforter?

5. How can your church community better embody the comfort and compassion of God to those within and outside the church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 51:12
This verse speaks of God as the one who comforts His people, reinforcing the idea of God as a source of comfort.

Psalm 103:13
Illustrates God's compassion, likening it to a father's compassion for his children, which aligns with the description of God in 2 Corinthians 1:3.

Matthew 5:4
Jesus' teaching on the blessedness of those who mourn, for they will be comforted, connects to the theme of God as the comforter.

Romans 15:5
Describes God as the God of endurance and encouragement, similar to the comfort mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:3.
ComfortJ. Parker, D. D.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Comforted and ComfortingC. H. Spurgeon.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Comforted to ComfortF. B. Meyer, B. A.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God the Father of MerciesH. W. Beecher.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Man Requiring, Enjoying, and Ministering Divine ComfortsD. Thomas, D. D.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Sacred ComfortsW. Birch.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Abundance of Divine ConsolationW. McCulloch.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Comfort of GodCanon Knox-Little.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Design of Paul's AfflictionsIsaac Taylor.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The God of ChristianityD. Thomas, D. D.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The God of ComfortH. W. Beecher.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Ministry of ConsolationA. Mackennal, D. D.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Purpose and Use of ComfortBishop Phillips Brooks.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Thankful Heart Discriminates MerciesO. W. Holmes.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Why We Should Bless GodR. Sibbes, D. D.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
True ComfortE. Hurndall 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Thanksgiving in the Midst of TribulationC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
People
Corinthians, Paul, Silas, Silvanus, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Judea, Macedonia
Topics
Blessed, Christ, Comfort, Compassion, Compassions, Consolation, Encouragement, Full, Gives, Heartfelt, Mercies, Praise, Thanks
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 1:3

     1030   God, compassion
     1040   God, fatherhood
     1205   God, titles of
     1210   God, human descriptions
     2015   Christ, compassion
     5013   heart, divine
     5566   suffering, encouragements in
     5762   attitudes, God to people
     6688   mercy, demonstration of God's
     8203   character

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

     5398   loss
     5567   suffering, emotional
     5569   suffering, hardship
     5582   tiredness
     5797   bereavement, comfort in
     5853   experience, of life
     5946   sensitivity
     8416   encouragement, promises

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

     5565   suffering, of believers
     5809   compassion, human

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

     4019   life, believers' experience
     6705   peace, experience
     8298   love, for one another

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

     5805   comfort
     5963   sympathy

Library
June the Eighteenth the Benefitted as Benefactors
"Who comforteth us ... that we may be able to comfort." --2 CORINTHIANS i. 3-7. And how does the Lord comfort us? He has a thousand different ways, and no one can ever tell by what way the comfort will come to his soul. Sometimes it comes by the door of memory, and sometimes by the door of hope. Sometimes it is borne to us through the ministry of nature, and at other times through the ministry of human speech and kindness. But always, I think, it brings us the sense of a Presence, as though we
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Corinthians. God's Yea; Man's Amen
'For how many soever be the promises of God, in Him is the yea: wherefore also through Him is the Amen.'--2 COR. i. 20 (R.V.). This is one of the many passages the force and beauty of which are, for the first time, brought within the reach of an English reader by the alterations in the Revised Version. These are partly dependent upon the reading of the text and partly upon the translation. As the words stand in the Authorised Version, 'yea' and 'amen' seem to be very nearly synonymous expressions,
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Anointed and Stablished
'Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.'--2 COR. i. 21. The connection in which these words occur is a remarkable illustration of the Apostle's habit of looking at the most trivial things in the light of the highest truths. He had been obliged, as the context informs us, to abandon an intended visit to Corinth. The miserable crew of antagonists, who yelped at his heels all his life, seized this change of purpose as the occasion for a double-barrelled charge.
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Seal and Earnest
'Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.'--2 COR. i. 23. There are three strong metaphors in this and the preceding verse--'anointing,' 'sealing,' and 'giving the earnest'--all of which find their reality in the same divine act. These three metaphors all refer to the same subject, and what that subject is is sufficiently explained in the last of them. The 'earnest' consists of 'the Spirit in our hearts,' and the same explanation might have been appended to both
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
There are four things in my text to which I invite your attention: the first is the sufferings to be expected--"The sufferings of Christ abound in us;" secondly, the distinction to be noticed--they are the sufferings of Christ; thirdly, a proportion to be experienced--as the sufferings of Christ abound, so our consolations abound; and fourthly, the person to be honored--"So our consolation aboundeth by CHRIST." I. Our first division then is, THE SUFFERINGS TO BE EXCPECTED. Our holy Apostle says "The
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

The Tenses
"Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us."--2 Corinthians 1:10. WHEN children are learning their grammar, they have to pay particular attention to the tenses of the verbs; and it is important for Christians also to remember their tenses,--to recollect the past, the present, and the future. Our text brings all three very vividly before us, and reminds us that God hath delivered, doth deliver, and will yet deliver. First, let us think for
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 47: 1901

Eighth Day for the Spirit on all Christian Workers
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit on all Christian Workers "Ye also helping together on our behalf; that for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many on our behalf."--2 COR. i. 11. What multitudes of workers in connection with our churches and missions, our railways and postmen, our soldiers and sailors, our young men and young women, our fallen men and women, our poor and sick. God be praised for this! What could they accomplish if each were living in the fulness of
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of the Wonderful Power of the Divine Love
I bless Thee, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, for that Thou hast vouchsafed to think of me, poor that I am. O, Father of Mercies and God of all comfort,(1) I give thanks unto Thee, who refreshest me sometimes with thine own comfort, when I am unworthy of any comfort. I bless and glorify Thee continually, with thine only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, for ever and ever. O Lord God, Holy lover of my soul, when Thou shalt come into my heart, all my inward parts
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

St. Malachy's Apostolic Labours, Praises and Miracles.
[Sidenote: 1140, October] 42. (23). Malachy embarked in a ship, and after a prosperous voyage landed at his monastery of Bangor,[576] so that his first sons might receive the first benefit.[577] In what state of mind do you suppose they were when they received their father--and such a father--in good health from so long a journey? No wonder if their whole heart gave itself over to joy at his return, when swift rumour soon brought incredible gladness even to the tribes[578] outside round about them.
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Seventh Day for the Power of the Holy Spirit on Ministers
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Power of the Holy Spirit on Ministers "I beseech you that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."--ROM. xv. 30. "He will deliver us; ye also helping together by your supplication on our behalf."--2 COR. i. 10, 11. What a great host of ministers there are in Christ's Church. What need they have of prayer. What a power they might be, if they were all clothed with the power of the Holy Ghost. Pray definitely for this; long for it. Think of your own minister,
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Twenty-Sixth Day for the Holy Spirit on Young Converts
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Young Converts "Peter and John prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus."--ACTS viii. 15, 16. "Now He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."--2 COR. i. 21, 22. How many new converts who remain feeble; how many who fall into sin; how many who backslide
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Fifteenth Lesson. If Two Agree
If two agree;' Or, The Power of United Prayer Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.--Matt. xviii. 19, 20. ONE of the first lessons of our Lord in His school of prayer was: Not to be seen of men. Enter thy inner chamber; be alone with the Father. When He has thus taught us that the
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Sanctification.
PAUL ENTIRELY SANCTIFIED. I might urge a great many other considerations, and as I have said, fill a book with scriptures, and arguments, and demonstrations, of the attainability of entire sanctification in this life. But I forbear, and will present only one more consideration--a consideration which has great weight in some minds. It is a question of great importance, whether any actually ever did attain this state. Some who believe it attainable, do not consider it of much importance to show that
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Concerning Baptism.
Concerning Baptism. [967] As there is one Lord, and one faith, so there is one baptism; which is not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience before God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And this baptism is a pure and spiritual thing, to wit, the baptism of the Spirit and Fire, by which we are buried with him, that being washed and purged from our sins, we may walk in newness of life: of which the baptism of John was a figure, which was commanded for a time,
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Vanity of Human Glory.
"The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."--1 John iii. 1 Of St. Simon and St. Jude, the Saints whom we this day commemorate, little is known[1]. St. Jude, indeed, still lives in the Church in his Catholic epistle; but of his history we only know that he was brother to St. James the Less, and nearly related to our Lord and that, like St. Peter, he had been a married man. Besides his name of Jude or Judas, he is also called Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus in the Gospels. Of St. Simon we only
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Christ all and in All.
(Colossians iii. 11.) Christ is all to us that we make Him to be. I want to emphasize that word "all." Some men make Him to be "a root out of a dry ground," "without form or comeliness." He is nothing to them; they do not want Him. Some Christians have a very small Saviour, for they are not willing to receive Him fully, and let Him do great and mighty things for them. Others have a mighty Saviour, because they make Him to be great and mighty. If we would know what Christ wants to be to us, we
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Epistle vii. To Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius.
To Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius. Gregory to Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius, Bishops [1688] . I rejoice exceedingly that you welcomed with great joy the ordination of the most holy Cyriacus, my brother and fellow-priest. And since we have learnt from the preaching of Paul the apostle that If one member rejoice, all the members rejoice with it (1 Cor. xii. 26), you must needs consider with how great exultation I rejoice with you in this thing, wherein not one member, but many members of Christ have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle xxxix. To Anastasius, Bishop .
To Anastasius, Bishop [1602] . Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14), because that great river which once had left the rocks of Antioch dry has returned at length to its proper channel, and waters the subject valleys that are near, so as also to bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some an hundred-fold. For now there is no doubt that many flowers of souls are growing up in its valleys, and that
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
To Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Bernard declares to him how little he loves praise; that the yoke of Christ is light; that he declines the name of father, and is content with that of brother. 1. In the first place, do not wonder if titles of honour affright me, when I feel myself so unworthy of the honours themselves; and if it is fitting that you should give them to me, it is not expedient for me to accept them. For if you think that you ought to observe that saying, In honour preferring one another
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

How the Obstinate and the Fickle are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 19.) Differently to be admonished are the obstinate and the fickle. The former are to be told that they think more of themselves than they are, and therefore do not acquiesce in the counsels of others: but the latter are to be given to understand that they undervalue and disregard themselves too much, and so are turned aside from their own judgment in successive moments of time. Those are to be told that, unless they esteemed themselves better than the rest of men, they would by no
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

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