2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 1
Address, Thanksgiving, and Consolation. 2 Corinthians 1, 1–11.
Thanksgiving and comfort: V.3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, v.4. who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
The dominant note in a Christian’s life at all times should be that of thankfulness to the Lord for His loving-kindness and tender mercies. This was true in an unusual measure in the case of Paul, who begins all but two of his letters with an expression of his deep thankfulness to God.
So in this instance: Praised be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blessing which the believer gives to God includes glory, praise, and honor. As God, the one true God, we praise Him, as the Lord of the entire universe, and especially as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom He has entered upon the relation of true fatherhood to us, that of a gracious, loving Father.
As the God of mercies we praise Him, the Source whence all tender mercy upon us flows, in time and in eternity, compassion being the characteristic of our heavenly Father’s providence.
As the God of all comfort we praise Him, the Fountain whence all consolation, happiness, and bliss flows down upon us abundantly, and in every form of trouble and affliction.
The last name applied to God is now explained at length: Who is comforting us in all our affliction. No matter what trouble may come upon a Christian, no matter what trials may be besetting him, he is sure of finding the proper and adequate consolation, as Paul and his companions experienced it repeatedly and continually. Although sorrows and dangers of body and soul were surrounding him, yet he was able to enjoy the consolations of God in His Word and thus to conquer all his afflictions.
And God’s final purpose in leading the apostle and his companions, as well as all Christians, in such a peculiar way was that they also might be able to comfort them that were in any affliction through the comfort wherewith they themselves were being comforted of God.
That is always the final aim of God when He permits trials to come upon His children, that the consolation which He then imparts from the Word of His grace may be a blessing not only to the afflicted, but through him also to others that may not yet have reached the calm trust in God which should characterize a Christian at all times.
Those that have been tried in God’s crucible and have learned to rely upon His promises in unwavering faith are in a position in which they can pass on the benefits which have been conferred upon them. It is the golden chain of the merciful consolations of the Lord that unites His believers here on earth.