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Blessed be The God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ1 – the Father of mercies and God of all comfort2
| 1 | The God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ: As in Ephesians 1:3, 17 and elsewhere. The Father is The God of Jesus Christ Glorified. Generally in 2 Corinthians, as in all his other letters, Paul uses the article before God [HO THEOS], “The God,” as does John in John 1:1. |
| 2 | Comfort: The word “comfort” is used here in 2 Corinthians chapter one more than anywhere else in the Bible. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Corinthians 1:3 as the theme verse of the chapter – With God’s Comfort Walk in Holiness. About six months has passed since Paul’s earlier epistle to the Corinthians. He has heard reports and so now he follows up with a weighty letter addressing these matters. He begins with warm words regarding God’s comfort. The word “comfort” occurs in this chapter more than any other place in the Bible. By comfort from God we can comfort others as all endure oppression and tribulation. [1-7]
Paul mentions his own persecutions and thought he was surely going to die. [8-11] But he was rescued and thankful for all their prayers. Stating that he and his companions have “behaved themselves in the world” he anticipates that the Corinthians will be a cause of boasting at the parousia-judgment. [12-14] Compare 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Paul uses language one can find in the Nazarene Sayings regarding one’s “Yes” and “No.” [15-22] Compare Matthew 5:37. He exhorts to trust in God’s promises stating that the disciples have been anointed and sealed in God’s Pneuma. Paul ends by saying that he is “not the master of what you believe, but rather co-workers.” [23, 24]
Some modern church leaders behave as though they were the “masters of our faith.” Like the Pharisees they put huge burdens on the shoulders of believers with rule upon rule and policy upon policy.
May Heaven bless all with comfort.
[12 June 2002]
