Introduction One of the reoccurring themes in Paul s second letter to the Corinthians is suffering. Why must the righteous suffer? Paul will offer several possible explanations; that we might comfort others (vv.1-7); that we might have our sole dependence and confidence in the Lord alone (vv.8-11) and that we might claim the promises of God (vv.12-24). Paul speaks of the purpose of consolation and comfort (vv.4-5); oddly Paul beings with fruit (v.4) but traces the root (v.5). The fruit--the more he comforts us--the more we can comfort others; the root--the more we suffer--the more God comforts us! We are not talking about a mere philosophical or theological handling of the subject; but the raw ruin of real pain and hardship. Paul is no stranger to hardship, pain, affliction, trauma. Paul will offer his own life and his own experiences as an example of this tremendous principle. We live in a world of debilitating disease; what appears random accident, trial, abuse, death. The Source Of Comfort (v.3) 2 Corinthians 1:3 7 (NKJV) 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Paul begins with an amazing revelation. Andrew Murray put it this way; In Christ the heart of the Father is revealed, and higher comfort there cannot be than to rest in the Father s heart. The word mercies (oiktirmon) means compassion, pity, mercy. The word means to look on people in need with compassion and mercy! The Lord God is described not as the God of mercies--but rather as the Father of mercies ; in a sense His very nature and character is to act towards us as Father. He is our Father full of mercy and compassion. Showering mercy and compassion. Note the word mercies as plural; our Father does not simply respond with compassion and mercy once--but over and over again. The verb comfort appears three times in (v.3) four times in verse (v.4); one time in verse (v.6) parakaleo-- 1
Paul is very fond of this word. The word appears some 103 times in the Greek New Testament; and 54 of those times are in Paul s writings. paraklesis is found 29 times, almost always in Paul s writings (20) times; John and James do not use the word at all. The word means called alongside to help ; or side by side with another; to relieve or support; it consoles and relieves another; But it means way more. It expresses the kind of divine aid, supernatural help, which is generously given to the suffering members of Christ s community. It means to give strength when one is weak. We see consolation, relief, support, strength. This is one of the titles of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus gives this title in John 14:15-18; If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Is God in fact this way? Can we be sure that the God Paul is describing is in fact in keeping with Paul s description? Paul is not describing a God that is different from the God Jesus describes! This is the God who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was God who so loved the world (John 3:16); it was God who demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). What father would give His only Son to save others? If God the Father is willing to give His Son to save you; won t He give you comfort in time of affliction? No wonder Paul says But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins (Eph. 2:4). Do you know someone grieving? Do you know someone who needs spiritual medicine? Comfort? 2 Corinthians chapter 1 is just what Dr. Jesus orders. The Lord Comforts Us That We Might Comfort Others (v.4) 4who 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. Why do Christians and especially ministers face great difficulty? Here is part of the answer. You can only give what you yourselves have received. Comfort is given in direct proportion to having received it! 2
How can you give testimony to something you have never experienced? Note Paul writes who comforts us and in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble. Paul is not simply speaking of his own trials, set-backs, circumstances. God comforts all believers. God does not play favorites; his mercies and comforts are for everyone. We do not have to bear a single trial or difficulty alone. Our Father--our sovereign Majesty is not off on some distant planet or living in some distant dimension that He is unable to provide His presence and strength. His Holy Spirit is present in our hearts; to comfort us and provide comfort. The word tribulation translates thlipsis-- pressure --; the pressures and stresses of life; those things that have great weight, sometimes crushing weight. This is why we need the grace of God. Both words translated tribulation and trouble are identical in the original language. those who are in any tribulation or position of pressure. Blaise Pascal wrote; Little things console us because little things afflict us. Could we also say gigantic grace consoles us because gigantic sin afflicts us? The Lord will use you as His advertisement. He will comfort you; and you will be a living testimony of His gracious comfort. God comforts us so that we can comfort others. God carries us through trials so that we can help carry others through trials. God strengthens us so that we can strengthen others. God helps us so that we can help others. God encourages us so that we can encourage others. 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Now we exhort you brothers, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. The Lord Comforts In Doses Equal To The Suffering (v.5) 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 3
Once again Jesus is our example. The sufferings of Christ become the standard, the measure, to view our own sufferings. What kind of sufferings did Jesus experience? Jesus experiences unimaginable horrors so that He is the one who is the perfect sympathizer or Savior. Born to an unwed mother. Born in abject poverty; in a cave placed in a feeding trough. Parents poor. Life threatened as a baby. In the witness protection program in Egypt. Grew up in a poor village under an oppressive foreign occupier. It would seem that his step-father and provider died young. Raised by a single parent. Having little support from family during his ministry. No real place to call home; or to lay down His head (Matt. 8:20; Luke 9:58). Hated, opposed by the religious establishment. Accused of mental illness and insanity (Mark 3:21). Accused of being possessed by demons (Mark 3:22). Rejected, hated, opposed by listeners (Matt. 13:53-58) Betrayed by a close friend, Rejected, abandoned, forsaken by all of His friends, falsely charged, falsely accused, falsely imprisoned, beaten, tortured, and killed, but not just any death, the worst death possible. Each of these experiences reaches the depth of humiliation. Jesus reaches lower so that he can become God s sympathizer. He really can identify with the way we feel. Some might say--he never knew guilt, or shame, but that s not true. Jesus was made sin--he never sinned--but was allowed to experience the pain, the shame and the estrangement--the dark results of sin. And of course death. The writer of Hebrews says that he did not take on the nature of angels, but took on him the seed of Abraham; wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people (Heb.2:16-17). C.H. Spurgeon; We ourselves know by experience that there is no place for comfort like the cross. It is a tree stripped of all foliage, and apparently dead; yet we sit under its shadow with great delight, and its fruit is sweet unto our taste. Spurgeon also said, It will greatly comfort you if you can see God s hand in both your losses and your crosses. 4
The Lord Uses Suffering To Motivate And Provoke Believers (vv.6-7) 6Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. Paul argues that his affliction is for their benefit. What happens when you suffer? Do you become selfish and self-centered? Do you feel sorry for yourself? Do you feel self-pity, or apathy and desire the full attention of everyone around you? Do you become bitter? Will Rogers used to say; People that pay for things don t complain; it s the guy you give something to that you can t please. Do you complain because your wife doesn t cook like your mother? Does she complain that you don t make money like your father? Behind every successful man is a woman complaining that she doesn t have something to wear. Some men complain about everything--even the noise that comes when opportunity knocks. As a believer--these are not options and choices available to you. Note what Paul says; affliction and comfort are for the same purposes; God will use both suffering and comfort to accomplish several things. What are those things? They include; 1. God uses suffering to stir consolation or comfort in others who suffer. 2. God uses suffering to stir salvation; a person who trusts God today must also trust God tomorrow, and the next day, until there are no more days. The Bible wants us to bless the Lord at all times, that our praise and blessing are continual. We are not to bless God and curse God with the same mouth. The person who knows God and trusts God will know Him and trust in good times and bad, in difficult circumstances and tragic circumstances. Whether in suffering or health, whether in acceptance or rejection, in persecution or favor. What is the point? The believer sees the believer being comforted through some suffering; and we are motivated to continue in our faith! We will continue in the way of salvation despite the circumstances or trial or suffering we bear. No wonder Jesus says; But he that shall endure to the end shall be saved (Matt.24:13). Does that mean that we are saved by endurance? No we are saved by grace--and endurance is simply the evidence of saving faith. God uses suffering to stir endurance. Let me be as simple as possible. When we suffer--and when we allow God to comfort us; others are encouraged to endure their suffering. 5
The Lord will sometimes use suffering so that we will divide the sorrow and share the joy. Believers who are bitter, discouraged, apathetic, complaining--are to allow God and the Saints to comfort them. Our hope and expectation from every believer is comfort in trial. How can a person share the comfort of God if they have never experienced it themselves? God expects us to bear suffering and receive God s comfort. Why? Because we are to be a source of ministry, comfort and help to others! What if I don t want that job? Then you really aren t a Christian. I am not talking about some kind of sado-masochist desire to endure trial, punishment and suffering; we live in a fallen world and will not escape the consequences of sin. It is true that some suffer more than others. It is also true that some are more useful than others in God s kingdom. God expects us to bear suffering and receive His comfort. Other believers expect us to bear suffering and receive God s comfort. We are to busy ourselves with comfort and support and sharing. This is a reasonable hope and expectation. In Philippians 2:1-2 Paul writes; If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies (heart-felt expressions of affection not stomach flu); fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 7And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. William McDonald; The apostle now expresses his confidence that just as the Corinthians had known what it was to suffer on behalf of Christ, so they would experience the comforting help of Christ. Sufferings never come alone for the Christian. They are always followed by the consolation of Christ. We, too, can be confident of this, as the apostle Paul was (p.12). Annie Johnson Flint wrote in her poem; Hands and Feet for Him! We are the only Bible The careless world will read, We are the sinner s gospel, We are the scoffer s creed; We are our Lord s last message, 6
Written in deed and word; What if the type be crooked? What if the print be blurred? Conclusion J. H. Jowett; God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters. Abraham Lincoln; To ease another s heartache is to forget one s own. In verses 8-10 Paul point out that God uses suffering to teach trust. Is it possible to learn trust apart from suffering? 7