“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.” (2 Corinthians 3-4)
This is glorious news, that we can be comforted by God in any and all circumstances. It truly is a powerful testimony of the God who cares for his children. But what struck me after reading this a couple dozen times over the past few years is Paul doesn’t actually explain what God did to comfort him here. Comfort is a substantial theme in this letter, compared to most letters, which makes me think that something is different here than in other letters so I probed the epistle for answers.
How does God comfort Paul?
Verse 5 says, “… through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” This is significant, but rather vague and needs further explaining. Possibly verse 10 answers this, “He delivered us from such as deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”
Hope in the God that delivers from affliction and peril is surely a comforting thing, not that I’ve endured much perils in my life especially compared to Paul. I still don’t think this is Paul’s comfort though. We really don’t believe we get a good answer until chapter 7:
For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn – fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
First, it states again, “God… comforted us…” God gets all the credit in this. But next comes the reason, “by the coming of Titus… as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me…” I believe the lengthy introduction to this epistle about comfort comes down to this: Titus returned from Corinth with news about the spiritual state of the church there. And Paul couldn’t be more thrilled.
1. God uses people to comfort us
Some observations I take from this is that God uses people to do everything. Even the great Paul who endured the worst of the worst needed people to comfort him. He was driven by the cross and the promise of an eternal inheritance for sure, but his source of encouragement, and consolation came from the people he was giving his life to minister to.
2. Repentance was his consolation
Paul was deeply concerned for the Corinthians. This is at least his third letter to them. The last one was harsh, but “I [Paul] rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting.” (7:9) To Paul, this was truly a breath of fresh air. In the midst of his own suffering, he receives news that made him leap for joy: They have seen the error of their ways and have turned their minds back to God! Nothing could be more encouraging to a burdened soul living on mission.
3. Comfort comes from seeing friends comforted
On top of this, Paul is comforted by the mere fact that Titus has been refreshed and filled with joy by his visit to Corinth (7:13). Paul is greatly encouraged to see his friend being encouraged. His heart for people close to him, to see them filled with joy is the goal of his life. As he says earlier, “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort…” (1 Cor 1:6) He would have taken on the weight of the world if he could for the sake of their fullness of joy. For this is what brings him an abundance of joy.
4. God is behind all this
And Paul gives God the credit and praise for being comforted by the Corinthians. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.” (7:9) The comfort from God through Christ is that God is responsible for repentant hearts. Jesus accomplished the saving work on the cross and God brought the saving work of repentance to this church that was struggling to get their lives in line with the gospel that they had come to believe (see 1 Corinthians).
May our deepest longing not be for physical comforts of a nice home, good friends, and a loving family. Anyone can find comfort in those. May it not even be in the knowledge that one day we will take hold of eternity with God in heaven with new, whole bodies. Instead, let it be found in the spiritual comforts of seeing the fruit of God at work in people’s lives.
When a person sees the glory of a Risen Saviour and turns to him, throwing off the old life of sin and rebellion, and leaping into the newness of an eternal life, let this fill us with joy. When people bow down to the King who gave his life for them and begin following him with joy-filled obedience, let this be our hearts desire for people, and a great source of comfort and encouragement as we see this happen.
Exhort and correct each other regular in the faith for the joy of seeing people turning their hearts, souls, minds, and lives back to Jesus.
Three Semi-Wisemen 