Receive Comfort, Give Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:1-11
In 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Paul praises God for his constant encouragement during times of great distress. He also acknowledges that the purpose of God’s encouragement is to equip him to strengthen others during their times of distress in verses 3-7. Paul, then, understands that he received comfort in order to give comfort. Second Corinthians 1:1-11 is a profound passage because it provides the proper perspective regarding the comfort God gives, as well as the unique manner in which receiving such comfort equips us to strengthen others.
To appreciate Paul’s comments about the comfort he received and later gave to others, one must explore his tribulations in greater detail and the specific nature of the comfort God provided to the apostle. In 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, Paul references afflictions he endured while in Asia, a Roman province in what is now modern-day Turkey. As Paul testifies, at one point the pressure from his trials was beyond what he as a human could withstand, leading him to despair of his life (1:8-9). To be sure, his tribulations thoroughly devastated him. In speaking of his afflictions (1:8-9) Paul may refer to the “thorn in [his] flesh” (12:7), which was possibly a death-threatening, reoccurring physical problem. Biblical scholars who believe that Paul’s “thorn in [his] flesh” was some type of physical malady have suggested various difficulties, such as fever or defective vision. If indeed it was a physical infirmity, it is impossible to identify the specific problem.
Paul goes on to say that God gave comfort to him in the midst of his afflictions (1:4-5, 10). As Murray J. Harris explains, the apostle’s specific use of the term “comfort” in this passage and throughout 2 Corinthians refers to “a consolatory strengthening in the face of adversity that affords spiritual refreshment. It is much more than verbal solace or an expression of sympathy” (“The Second Epistle to the Corinthians,” page 143). Thus “comfort,” as Paul uses the word in his writing, refers to God the Father intervening in a real way in the lives of his people during their trials, which results in their spiritual renewal. In giving his encouragement, God does more than show pity toward his people. He meets them personally in their afflictions and edifies them.
What hardships are you facing at this moment? Whatever the affliction, remember that just as God intervened in Paul’s life during his trials, so will he intervene in yours. He may not remove the affliction completely or give you precisely what you request in prayer. Nevertheless, he will grant his divine comfort which will result in your spiritual refreshment. In turn, you will be uniquely equipped to offer comfort to other believers who suffer.
Bryant– Lessons by Michael Bryant, assistant professor of religion at Charleston Southern University. Bryant has a B.S. in history from Charleston Southern and a Ph.D. in New Testament from Southeastern Seminary.