Paul’s Thanksgiving (1:1-7:)
SUFFERING AND COMFORT
2 CORINTHIANS 1,1-24
Reading: James 5:10-11 (Seventh Sunday in Epiphany)
Songs:
Theme: the positive place of suffering in our lives
INTRODUCTION
A. Driving through Texas, a New Yorker collided with a truck carrying a horse. A few months later when the New Yorker tried to collect damages for his injuries, the insurance company’s lawyer declared that the police report listed no injuries. The New Yorker explained that the reason was that while he was lying in the road in a lot of pain, he witnessed the sheriff shoot the horse because someone said the horse had a broken leg. When the sheriff turned to the him and asked him if he was OK, he quickly replied that there was nothing wrong with him. Sometimes in life we’re forced to just accept our difficulties and afflictions and do nothing about them.
B. Discouragement, depression, stress, anxiety, and loneliness are all common everyday afflictions. When it comes, some grumble, some groan, some grieve and some grow. Troubles never leave the afflicted the same. The experience will either leave them “bitter” or “better” depending on whether or not they receive comfort. When tragedy or other difficult circumstances afflict people they need comfort. With God fortunately, we don’t just need to put up with out afflictions. He does offer comfort to us in our afflictions.
C. This was a point the apostle Paul made in the opening remarks of his first letter to the saints at Corinth. He praised God for the comfort offered in the midst of tribulation.
D. Judaizers who had plagued Paul in Antioch (Acts 15) and Galatia (Galatians 1:6-7), had also caused sought to caused problems for the church at Corinth, by challenging Paul’s authority and motives. Though Paul found it distasteful to defend himself (11:21,23; 12:11), it was necessary for him to respond (11:17-28; 12:1-6) because the attack on him was really an attack on the gospel he preached.
E. Let’s examine what Paul remarked about the comfort God offers his saints who are going through difficult times.
Discussion
I. Salutation (1:1-2)
A. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God ... (1:1).
KJV
1 ¶ Paul <3972>, an apostle <652> of Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> by <1223> the will <2307> of God <2316>, and <2532> Timothy <5095> our brother <80>, unto the church <1577> of God <2316> which <3588> is <5607> (5752) at <1722> Corinth <2882>, with <4862> all <3956> the saints <40> which <3588> are <5607> (5752) in <1722> all <3650> Achaia <882>:
Textus Receptus
1 paulov <3972> {N-NSM} apostolov <652> {N-NSM} ihsou <2424> {N-GSM} cristou <5547> {N-GSM} dia <1223> {PREP} yelhmatov <2307> {N-GSN} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} kai <2532> {CONJ} timoyeov <5095> {N-NSM} o <3588> {T-NSM} adelfov <80> {N-NSM} th <3588> {T-DSF} ekklhsia <1577> {N-DSF} tou <3588> {T-GSM} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} th <3588> {T-DSF} oush <1510> (5752) {V-PXP-DSF} en <1722> {PREP} korinyw <2882> {N-DSF} sun <4862> {PREP} toiv <3588> {T-DPM} agioiv <40> {A-DPM} pasin <3956> {A-DPM} toiv <3588> {T-DPM} ousin <1510> (5752) {V-PXP-DPM} en <1722> {PREP} olh <3650> {A-DSF} th <3588> {T-DSF} acaia <882> {N-DSF}
1. Paul began his greeting by affirming his apostleship.
2. Affirming it established authority from God for what Paul taught.
B. Grace ... and peace from God our Father ... and from the Lord Jesus Christ .... (1:2).
2 Grace <5485> be to you <5213> and <2532> peace <1515> from <575> God <2316> our <2257> Father <3962>, and <2532> from the Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>.
2 cariv <5485> {N-NSF} umin <5213> {P-2DP} kai <2532> {CONJ} eirhnh <1515> {N-NSF} apo <575> {PREP} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} patrov <3962> {N-GSM} hmwn <2257> {P-1GP} kai <2532> {CONJ} kuriou <2962> {N-GSM} ihsou <2424> {N-GSM} cristou <5547> {N-GSM}
1. Grace and peace are what God offers to the faithful.
2. Grace and peace leave us little reason not to give thanks to God regardless of the circumstances under which we might have to live.
Transition: Paul gave thanks to God for comfort in suffering. Paul was thankful for both the comfort though himself God was able to give others people and for deliverance from sufferings.
II. THANKSGIVING (1:3-11).
Comfort In Suffering
A. Blessed be God ... the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort ... (1:3-7)
3 ¶ Blessed <2128> be God <2316>, even <2532> the Father <3962> of our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, the Father <3962> of mercies <3628>, and <2532> the God <2316> of all <3956> comfort <3874>;
3 euloghtov <2128> {A-NSM} o <3588> {T-NSM} yeov <2316> {N-NSM} kai <2532> {CONJ} pathr <3962> {N-NSM} tou <3588> {T-GSM} kuriou <2962> {N-GSM} hmwn <2257> {P-1GP} ihsou <2424> {N-GSM} cristou <5547> {N-GSM} o <3588> {T-NSM} pathr <3962> {N-NSM} twn <3588> {T-GPM} oiktirmwn <3628> {N-GPM} kai <2532> {CONJ} yeov <2316> {N-NSM} pashv <3956> {A-GSF} paraklhsewv <3874> {N-GSF}
1. Clearly the scriptures want us to understand that God cares for us (Psa 23:4; Lam 3:22-24; 1Pe 5:7).
a. He is “the Father of mercies” (1Ti 1:15; Eph 2:4; 1Jo 2:1;1Pe1:3).
b. He is the “God of all comfort” ().
(1) comfort, Strong’s - 3874. paraklhsiv PARAKLESIS par-ak’-lay-sis; from 3870; imploration, hortation, solace:— comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.
AV-consolation 14, exhortation 8, comfort 6, intreaty 1; 29 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 4a) thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter) 5) persuasive discourse, stirring address 5a) instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse
(2) A comforter is one who is called alongside at a time of need.
(3) The word refers to one who is summoned to the side of another to help him in a court of justice by defending him, to plead his cause (Heb 4:15-16).
(4) There is a story told of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, when he was eighty-five years old and living in Africa. One very hot day, he and a group of people were walking up a hill. Without notice he left the group he to go across the slope of the hill to an African woman who was struggling to carry a large armload of wood up the hill. He took the entire load of wood and carried it on up the hill for the relieved woman. Later when one of the others of the group with whom he had been walking up the hill, asked him why he did things like that, Schweitzer replied that the woman couldn’t have carried the burden.
4 Who <3588> comforteth <3870> (5723) us <2248> in <1909> all <3956> our <2257> tribulation <2347>, that <1519> we <2248> may be able <1410> (5738) to comfort <3870> (5721) them which are in <1722> any <3956> trouble <2347>, by <1223> the comfort <3874> wherewith <3739> we <3870> <0> ourselves <846> are comforted <3870> (5743) of <5259> God <2316>.
4 o <3588> {T-NSM} parakalwn <3870> (5723) {V-PAP-NSM} hmav <2248> {P-1AP} epi <1909> {PREP} pash <3956> {A-DSF} th <3588> {T-DSF} yliqei <2347> {N-DSF} hmwn <2257> {P-1GP} eiv <1519> {PREP} to <3588> {T-ASN} dunasyai <1410> (5738) {V-PNN} hmav <2248> {P-1AP} parakalein <3870> (5721) {V-PAN} touv <3588> {T-APM} en <1722> {PREP} pash <3956> {A-DSF} yliqei <2347> {N-DSF} dia <1223> {PREP} thv <3588> {T-GSF} paraklhsewv <3874> {N-GSF} hv <3739> {R-GSF} parakaloumeya <3870> (5743) {V-PPI-1P} autoi <846> {P-NPM} upo <5259> {PREP} tou <3588> {T-GSM} yeou <2316> {N-GSM}
2. The implication of comfort in this passage is to bear the burdens of the afflicted (Rom 8:28).
a. tribulation, Strong’s - 2347. yliqiv THLIPSIS thlip’-sis; from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):— afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
AV-tribulation 21, affliction 17, trouble 3, anguish 1, persecution 1, burdened 1, to be afflicted + 1519 1; 45 1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure 2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
For Synonyms see entry 5907
b. The passage declares the power that a godly life can have on another person in distress.
c. The passage therefore, also declares the improper influence we will have on another person when our commitment to worldly friends is greater than our commitment to the cause of Christ; the way of truth.
d. In order to have a powerfully, good influence with our lives on other people that our example may bring confident comfort to them we need to remove those things from our attitudes and behavior which are offensive to the gospel.
e. It is one of the reasons it is so important for us to make right our grievances with others while there is time to make them right (cp. Mat 18:7-9).
f. The idea expressed in the passage here in 2 Corinthians is one comforting another through an understanding of that person’s affliction from a similar personal experience.
g. Once during Queen Victoria’s reign (the long ago former queen of England) she heard that the baby of the wife of a common laborer had died. Having experienced deep sorrow herself, the queen felt moved to express her sympathy. So she called on the bereaved woman one day and spent some time with her. After the queen left, neighbors asked what the queen had said. The grieving mother explained that the queen simply joined their hands together as they silently wept.
h. Paul declared that the comfort he had mentioned came indirectly from God:
(1) through his word (Rom 15:4) or
(2) through the exhortations of others (cp. 1Th 4:18).
5 For <3754> as <2531> the sufferings <3804> of Christ <5547> abound <4052> (5719) in <1519> us <2248>, so <3779> our <2257> consolation <3874> also <2532> aboundeth <4052> (5719) by <1223> Christ <5547>.
5 oti <3754> {CONJ} kaywv <2531> {ADV} perisseuei <4052> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} ta <3588> {T-NPN} payhmata <3804> {N-NPN} tou <3588> {T-GSM} cristou <5547> {N-GSM} eiv <1519> {PREP} hmav <2248> {P-1AP} outwv <3779> {ADV} dia <1223> {PREP} cristou <5547> {N-GSM} perisseuei <4052> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} kai <2532> {CONJ} h <3588> {T-NSF} paraklhsiv <3874> {N-NSF} hmwn <2257> {P-1GP}
3. Paul pointed out that he suffered greatly for the cause of Christ (2Co 11:23ff).
a. When afflictions become too much people seek comfort from them.
(1) Sometimes, people seek comfort talking to family or friends about the matter.
(2) Sometimes people seek comfort from complete strangers, particularly in improper behavior.
(3) Sometimes people seek comfort in substances.
b. However, rather then only crying, Paul found comfort in God (Heb 4:15).
6 And <1161> whether <1535> we be afflicted <2346> (5743), it is for <5228> your <5216> consolation <3874> and <2532> salvation <4991>, which <3588> is effectual <1754> (5734) in <1722> the enduring <5281> of the same <846> sufferings <3804> which <3739> we <2249> also <2532> suffer <3958> (5719): or whether <1535> we be comforted <3870> (5743), it is for <5228> your <5216> consolation <3874> and <2532> salvation <4991>. {is effectual: or, is wrought}
6 eite <1535> {CONJ} de <1161> {CONJ} ylibomeya <2346> (5743) {V-PPI-1P} uper <5228> {PREP} thv <3588> {T-GSF} umwn <5216> {P-2GP} paraklhsewv <3874> {N-GSF} kai <2532> {CONJ} swthriav <4991> {N-GSF} thv <3588> {T-GSF} energoumenhv <1754> <