Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
—2 Cor. 1:3–5
The God of All Comfort
1. In the verses above, what “titles” are given to God? Underline them.
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Father of compassion
God of all comfort
It’s interesting that the first two are for Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of compassion — our Lord Jesus Christ IS compassion! God of all comfort — our Lord Jesus Christ IS ALL comfort!
God’s love is Jesus’s love, compassion, healing and need to protect us as He did when He died on the cross for us and our sins.
| Word StudyFrom Netbible 2 Cor 1:3
compassion – oiktirmos [3628]
1) compassion, pity, mercy
1a) bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion
1b) emotions, longings, manifestations of pity
*mercy/sympathy which manifests itself in actions
Wow! You can see God’s love, mercy and compassion here — manifested in giving Jesus His only Son for us! Jn 3:16; Ps 103:13; Ps 135:14; Lam 3:21-23
of all – pas [3956]
1) individually
1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things,
everything
2) collectively
The God of all Comfort is God of all comfort to each individual as well as to everyone collectively who believes in Jesus Christ our Lord!
1 Peter 1:3 NASB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
comfort – paraklesis [3874]
1) a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)
2) importation, supplication, entreaty
3) exhortation, admonition, encouragement
4) consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment
*from Greek parakaleo [3870]
1) to call to one’s side, call for, summon
2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in
the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to
comfort
John 14:15-18 AMP If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever–
17The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.
18I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.
From Netbible Jn 14:16
Comforter – parakletos [3875]
1) summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid
1a) one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader,
counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
1b) one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor
1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading
with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ
with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to
lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and
give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo
trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
Isaiah 9:6 AMP For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
|
Wow!
- The God of all comfort, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
- Jesus the Son of God, His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
- The Holy Spirit the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), the Spirit of Truth
ALL Comfort, LIVING hope that NEVER leaves His name is JESUS!
“I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU”
-Heb 13:5
2. Are you quick to think of God as a God of comfort and compassion? When Jesus came, He said that if we had seen Him, we had seen the Father. In the following verses, what rises up in Jesus as He displays the Father’s heart?
Mt. 14:14
Jesus was moved with compassion
His heart was stirred with tender mercies for the people
The result –> the sick were healed!
Let Your tender mercies{compassion} come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight. -Ps 119:77
From: NetBible Ps 119:77
live – chayah [02421]
1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health
| Without God’s tender mercies there is death.
Lord let Your compassion, Your tender mercies, the mercies of our Father in the person of Jesus Christ, come to each of us that we may live! |
Mt. 20:29–34
Jesus was moved with compassion
The result was that He touched the eyes of the two blind men; they immediately received sight and followed Him!
From: Two Blind Men – Matthew Henry Commentary
It is good for those under the same trial to join together to quicken and encourage each other.
Be earnest, sincere in calling on the mercy of the LORD.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. -Ps 145:18 AMP
Persevere in prayer.
Be joyful in hope, patient{hold fast to faith in Christ} in affliction, faithful{devoted. steadfast, persevere without fainting} in prayer. -Rom 12:12
None can follow Christ blindly. Each one needs the grace of open eyes to follow after Jesus daily.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me”. -Lk 9:23
May each of us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. -2 Pe 3:18
Mt. 23:37
the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings
The compassion, tender mercies of a mother that longs to gather and protect her children.
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! -Isa 49:15
3. Do you experience this “rising up” of God’s compassion in you when you encounter someone in need?
yes
sometimes, but not often
no
4. If you answered “yes” or “sometimes,” describe a specific experience.
When Jesus was on earth, people who encountered Him encountered God Himself. Today, because we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we live in the presence of God. God’s compassion can well up in us: We can feel His heart for the people around us, and we can bring His heart and presence into the lives of hurting people. Rather than being surprised when we encounter brokenness, we should expect it—in others’ lives and in our own.
What’s your trouble?
5. Read 2 Cor. 1:3–5 again. What seems to be a prerequisite for helping others?
Paul assumes that we will have troubles and that, rather than being left alone in them, we will receive comfort. We will give comfort after we have received it.
6. When you experience trouble, which of the following would you be most likely to do?
Collapse and throw a pity party
Shrug it off and tell yourself it’s no big deal
Turn to a friend who will make you feel better
Throw a scripture verse at it
Work harder
7. Often, we are kinder to other people who struggle than we are to ourselves. Jesus looked on people with compassion—are you able to join Him in having a compassionate look at your life? Right now, where do you need comfort?
8. Ask Jesus to reveal to you what rises up in Him when He sees you. (If the answer is condemnation or disgust, ask again.)
How do you receive comfort?
9. What are your favorite ways of comforting yourself?
10. Read Jer. 2:13. In what ways might some of our comforts be like these cisterns?
While our ways of comforting ourselves usually offer us some relief, rarely are they more than a stopgap until our cistern runs dry. That’s the problem with trying to comfort ourselves. We need someone else—we need comfort in the context of relationship.
11. God’s comfort is relational. In fact, the word translated “comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1 is parakaleo, which means “to call to one’s side.” Read Psalm 23. List the ways God comes near and gives comfort to His sheep.
12. Now look at Ezk. 34:15–16. What other ways does God shepherd His sheep?
13. What kinds of comfort have you received from God? List all you can remember.
14. Jesus promised that He was our shepherd, devoted to our care. In Jn. 14:25–27, what else did He promise us?
How can you give away comfort?
15. According to 2 Cor. 1:4, what will happen with the comfort that we receive? Why is there hope embedded in this?
16. Can you remember a time when you were facing trouble and received comfort through a person who had been in a similar situation? Describe it.
17. With so many needs facing us daily, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the number of people in our lives who need help. Read 2 Cor. 1:4 again. This verse encourages us to give away what we have received. Take a few minutes to consider the kinds of troubles you’ve faced and the comfort you’ve received. What patterns emerge?
Troubles:
Comfort:
18. What kind of comfort does that “qualify” you to give?
19. Can you think of a specific person who needs that comfort right now? What could you do this week to come alongside that person?
Person:
Practical Step:
The wonderful promise in 2 Corinthians 1 is that whether we need comfort or are faced with the needs of others, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Instead we can freely receive from God and then give to others out of the overflow.
“I, even I, am He who comforts you.” —Is. 51:12
___________________________________________________________________________
Related:
The God of All Comfort by Helen Crawford
Why does God permit you to suffer the pain of personal catastrophes? And what can you do during them?
