Redeeming Comfort - 12/17/2022

2 Corinthians was written in a vulnerable time in Paul’s life (56 AD). This particular writing often speaks of his afflictions, tribulations, and struggles. Paul shares from a place of vulnerability of his own affliction and comfort found in God. He starts 2 Corinthians by praising God. He calls Him, “the God of mercy and all comfort”, and he tells us that we can comfort others just as we have found comfort in our afflictions. Jesus can and will redeem our past through comfort, and He will invite us to do the same for others. Not so they can find comfort in us, but so they can find mercy and comfort from the God of all comfort. What is comfort, and how do we get it? The words "all comfort" in this passage come from the Greek word paraklesis.

This word for comfort in the New Testament is always more than soothing sympathy. It is the idea of strengthening, helping, and making strong. Paul says the Father is a comforter, a Paraclete (paraklesis). Paraclete is also used to represent both the Holy Spirit (Jn14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7) and Jesus (1 Jn 2:1, Heb. 2:18, Luke 2:25). The word Paraklesis is a compound of para and kaleo which means literally “to call near.” God, in every aspect of His being, is full of comfort, strength, and help for us. One of God's purposes in comforting us is to enable us to bring comfort to others. God's comfort can be given and received through others.