• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Nov. 30 focuses on 2 Corinthians 1:2-7.
On the night before his arrest, Jesus said to his disciples: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “Trouble” is a character trait of this world. As a consequence, one common issue believers face is struggling to remain faithful to God when facing trouble, especially when difficulties extend for a lengthy time with no apparent answer from above.
The Apostle Paul and his churches faced a variety of troubles. The Corinthian church seemed to face far more troubles than usual. With a fatherly and pastoral heart, the driven apostle, slowed his pace to minister delicately to a reeling congregation with words of assurance and comfort—the Lord’s comfort in the midst of affliction.
Comfort from the Lord
Thus Paul spends the first seven chapters in 2 Corinthians discussing the Lord’s comfort, a matter vital to Christian spiritual, mental and emotional wellbeing. The first main paragraph of the epistle delivers Paul’s great overture on God’s comfort. This paragraph, coupled with the Paul’s salutation, provides the material for this week’s lesson.
In Verse 2, Paul blended the standard greetings of the day, the Roman “grace” and the Hebrew “peace,” into his signature greeting: “grace and peace.” The salutation itself is a mini-reference to the gospel message: God offers salvation by grace and his peace comes to those who receive him. This message is basis for all words of comfort, assurance and strength.
Verse 3 opens the first paragraph of the epistle’s body with praise to God. Through the praise, Paul introduces the theme of the first seven chapters of the epistle. The first paragraph functions like the overture of a symphony, melodically sounding out the grand theme of divine comfort.
Notice the three descriptive names of God in verse 3. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though our Lord Jesus Christ, who walked with us and suffered for our sins has won our allegiance, Jesus points all glory to his Father (John 17:1-5). The second name, “Father of compassion,” emphasizes God’s astounding fatherly compassion for his children. Paul also refers to Our Father as the God of all comfort. His exercise of compassion finds him extending comfort to his people in God-sized proportions.
Verse 4 uses a scheme found elsewhere in the New Testament: (1) God comforts us, (2) we are to comfort others, (3) just as we have been comforted. The practices of love (John 15:12), forgiveness (Matthew 6:12, 14), and mercy (Matthew 5:7), are taught similarly.
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Exhortation as comfort
The noun “comfort” in verse 4 suggests the verb “exhort” in verse 5. Both words derive from the same Greek root word that means “to call beside or alongside.” It is remarkable that the verb “exhort,” which also can be rendered “urge, implore, appeal, plead and beg,” has a noun form that is rendered as “comfort.” Thus the one “exhorting” has “comfort” at the basis of their urgings. Here, God encourages his people in their troubles by calling them into his presence. There they receive their comfort. God is the believer’s comfort.
A remarkable revelation arrives in verse 5. Jesus’ suffering on the cross always should be on the believer’s mind. Through Jesus’ sufferings, our sins were atoned, and we enjoy a personal relationship with God that will continue throughout eternity. Jesus’ suffering also provides comfort for his followers.
With verse 6, we give attention to the word for “trouble” though it has occurred in twice in verse 4. In English, the word “trouble” has a euphemistic application in many situations. “Affliction” or “distress” provide better renderings in this passage because the emotional state (distressed, disturbed, distraught) of the afflicted is emphasized.
Guidance through times of trouble
Observation of the passage leads us to understand that one common way God guides his people through trouble involves suffering. Thus Jesus, who was beset with afflictions, suffered on the cross. Paul had troubles (v. 8) and endured them through suffering (vv. 6-7).
In fact, later in the epistle, when Paul describes praying for relief from his affliction (“the thorn in the flesh”), the Lord denied the request and indicated his strengthening during suffering was sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:1-10, especially v. 9). The message is God does not often remove the troubles, but strengthens his people to endure the troubles by suffering until the troubles exhaust themselves.
Verse 7 shows Paul was living by the scheme in verse 4, encouraging his readers to be strong in their sufferings so they could share in the comfort that comes from above. Psalm 102 is one of many psalms that plead for relief from troubles. Comfort arrives in verse 12, which says the Lord is enthroned forever (thus worldly troubles will pass away) and God’s servants and their children will live in his presence forever (v. 28).
No trouble exists that can thwart God’s plan to have his followers live with him forever. This is the message of Romans 8:31-39. Romans 8:36 provides the believer’s perspective on afflictions: They will endure affliction as long while it lasts because they are confident the Lord will deliver them. Such confidence is comfort in itself.
To this confidence God’s adds the comforting ministry of his presence. Thus, despite their worldly circumstances, God’s people are truly blessed and well-provisioned to face anything this world may bring.
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