2 Corinthians 1--"God of all comfort"

{Background--                                                                                                                                         The Corinthian church was founded by Paul in Acts 18.  Paul started preaching to the Jews there and worked as a tent maker.  The Jewish Corinthians opposed him, so Paul left them to their own intentional ignorance, and vowed to minister to the Gentiles (non-Jews).  Jesus Himself spoke to Paul, encouraging him to continue preaching with confidence.  Paul stayed 18 months in Corinth, teaching the Word of God.  The Jewish Corinthians rose up against Paul and his teachings, accusing him of teaching against the law.}

Comprehension--                                                                                                                                          Paul is writing what was probably not just his second letter to the Corinthian believers.   Timothy, who Paul often refers to as a "son in the faith", is Paul's companion and ministry partner.  He is likely writing the letter as Paul dictates.  Paul identifies himself as an apostle (messenger) called and sent by Jesus. The word "blessed" means well spoken of, where we get the word "eulogy". The word for comfort here is widely used to speak of the Holy Spirit.   Paul references the many trials he has suffered as he travels and shares the gospel.   He asks the Corinthian church for prayer, then gives them an update on his plans.  He wants to stop in Corinth twice, once on his way to Macedonia and again on his way back, making sure the plans are according to God's will, not his own desire to see them.  

Interpretation--                                                                                                                                              Paul has had a lot of hardships during his 10 years of ministry.  He feels empathy toward the believers in Corinth and the surrounding areas.  They are being afflicted, and Paul speaks the goodness of God back into their minds and hearts.  They are in  ministry together, and have a great need to encourage and lift each other up.  This comfort and encouragement is only possible through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter with a capital C!!! The only way they make it through any of this is by the power of God.  Although Paul's suffering for the gospel is arguably harsh, he doesn't intend to hold it over their heads for pride or sympathy.  He only wants them to keep their eyes on their mutual goal, which is to stand before Christ Jesus on His day and know that they completed the race.  Paul is thinking out loud--wanting to visit, wondering if he should.  He doesn't want to put them in harm's way or make their situation worse.  Whether Paul says yes or no, God has the final say.  The Good News will go forward because every promise of God is confirmed in Jesus. Followers of Him can say "so be it",  knowing everything (everything) is for our good and God's glory.  Their purpose--and ours-- is created by God, anchored and airtight in the power of Christ Jesus, and validated by the Holy Spirit.  

Application--                                                                                                                                                  I don't want to overstate the turmoil of our world, but none of us are blind to it.   As I think through all I know about Paul's sufferings (which he will list later in this book), any affliction I face or have faced is minimal.  But I do feel burdened, distressed, grieved by the weight of life.  I would say we all do at some point. The world, our friends, our family, our community, our homes, our minds may be as changeable as the daily news--yes one day and no the next.   I waver back and forth, just as Paul did, wondering what is the right thing to do.  Is this God's will, or is that?  Should I say Yes or No? Are both right, or neither? 😕 We are all struggling and we all need comfort. Some days I don't have the mental strength to pull myself out of the pit of despair, let alone help you.  But--good news!!  You don't need MY mental strength and I don't need yours. We rely on The God of all comfort, the same God who raises the dead, the same God who delivers us.  We may not feel very “rescued” on any given day, but verse 10 changes me.  God delivered us from such a deadly peril--eternity separated from Him in hell.  He delivers us daily from the power of sin that so easily tangles us.  And we can pin every last bit of expectation on the fact that He will deliver us again, one last time, to eternity with Him!  Jesus signed His Name to the contract that bought us back, and He put a generous down payment on our hearts as proof— His Spirit, Our Comforter. I pray that will lead us to behave not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.