Comfort – 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Joni Eareckson Tada! After being paralyzed from a diving accident at age of 16 in 1967, she went through anger, depression, suicidal thoughts and doubts about her faith in Christ, but finally found her relationship to Christ and his vision for how she could make a difference in the world her ultimate comfort. Her trial has become her testimony and her path to helping others, especially the disabled. She has written over 40 books, starred in a movie about her own life, recorded several albums, and is the founder of Joni and Friends, an organization to “accelerate Christian ministry in the disability community” around the world.

Paul opens his second letter to the Corinthians with a message about comfort from God in the severest of trials. Is there really comfort available when we are hurting so much?

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:1-11 ESV)

Since the writing of 1 Corinthians Paul has visited Corinth and experienced a wicked rebuff by some in the congregation and one in particular.  He has left and talked about return plans but the plans have fallen through and the Corinthian opposition has used that to accuse Paul of being wishy-washy and weak.  Paul is writing to deal now with this more entrenched opposition, fighting for the health of this church he loves.

Instead of a report of his prayers for the church with which he normally opens his letters, he begins with a blessing from God the Father for the comfort He gives in affliction.  God comforts us in affliction, doesn’t always take it away, in order that we might share that comfort with others so afflicted.  God makes our trials our testimony for the sake of others.  Paul is making sure that the Corinthians also know that his own trials and afflictions are for their benefit, even their salvation, as he shows them the truth of the gospel for which he is willing to suffer.

In fact, he has recently suffered to the point of death, despairing of life and greatly burdened, before God brought his deliverance.  Such suffering, Paul teaches, makes us less reliant on ourselves and more reliant on God.  It also gives others a chance to participate in our suffering and deliverance by their prayers on our behalf.  All can share in the thanksgiving when God answers those prayers. 

Paul is indirectly appealing for a restoration of the love they once had for him and giving explanation, in part, as to why he was unable to come when he thought he would. Would the Corinthians pray for him? Would they seek God’s comfort on his behalf? Is there someone for whom you should be asking God’s comfort, perhaps someone from whom you have been alienated?

Discussion Questions for Small Groups

1. At a meal, your friends start belittling a common friend. What do you do?
2. Paul was being belittled by the Corinthians, or at least some among them, leaders among them, for his failure to come visit them when he said he would. What seems to be Paul’s excuse for not going to Corinth?
3. When you suffer where do you find comfort?
4. Where was Paul finding comfort?
5. Why might suffering cause us to rely less on ourselves and more on God?
6. How have you experienced your trials leading to your testimony, that is, what you have suffered becoming your platform for ministering to others?