2 Corinthians 1:3-4: the God of all comfort

c. 386–397 · John Chrysostom, Homilies on Second Corinthians 1.3

And thus to have mercy is the peculiar and excellent attribute of God, and the most inherent in His nature; whence he calleth Him the “God of mercies.” And observe, I pray you, herein also the lowly-mindedness of Paul. For though he were in peril because of the Gospel he preached; yet saith he not, he was saved for his merit, but for the mercies of God. But this he afterwards declareth more clearly, and now goes on to say, “Who comforteth us in all affliction.” (2 Cor. i. 4.) He saith not, “Who suffereth us not to come into affliction:” but, “Who comforteth in affliction.”

1548 · John Calvin, Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1.3

Blessed be God, says he. On what account? who comforteth us — the relative being used instead of the causal particle. He had endured his tribulations with fortitude and alacrity: this fortitude he ascribes to God, because it was owing to support derived from his consolation that he had not fainted. He calls him the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and not without good reason, where blessings are treated of; for where Christ is not, there the beneficence of God is not. On the other hand, where Christ intervenes, by whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15,) there are all mercies and all consolations of God — nay, more, there is fatherly love, the fountain from which everything else flows.

1605–1610 · Johann Arndt, True Christianity 2.48

The second argument is contained in this expression, the God of all comfort; that is, he overflows with eternal and infinite comforts. For as God is the eternal, infinite, and chief Good; and on the other hand, our crosses are finite and temporal; what can proceed from that eternal and chief Good, but perpetual comfort, not only equal, but superior to our greatest affliction? For as our miseries are finite, and the consolations of God are infinite, it clearly follows that the latter must be superior to the former.

1680–1681 · Thomas Manton, Works, vol. VII Several Sermons upon the CXIX. Psalm, Sermon LXXXIV. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to

For spiritual comfort, which ariseth either from the sense of his love, or the hope of glory, we cannot have one drop of it but from God. His Spirit is called ‘the comforter.’ All the world cannot give it if he doth not give it us: he hath an immediate and sovereign power over the hearts of men; if he frown, nothing can support us. When the sun is gone, all the candles in the world cannot make it day. We can procure our own sorrows quickly, but he only can comfort us. None but divine comforts are authentic.

1734–1742 · George Whitefield, Letters, 1-497 (Works, vol. 1) 107

I know not when to begin and when to leave off adoring the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for these and all other of his love-tokens: He is the father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; he hath comforted me in all my tribulation, and, I am assured, will still comfort me in whatsoever I am to do or suffer for his name’s sake. You, dear Mrs. D. can subscribe to this truth, that God is a God of all comfort. You have been comforted on every side; you have been filled as it were with new wine; you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and yet the best wine is and will be always reserved till the last. The Lord’s compassions fail not; they are, they will be renewed to you every morning; and though, through much tribulation, you, as well as others, must enter into glory, yet you will find God to be your comforter in all tribulation.

1820 · John Tillotson, Works, Volume 7 147

“The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” The Scripture represents God as very merciful, in comforting and supporting those that are afflicted and cast down: hence are those expressions of “putting his arms under us; bearing us up; speaking comfortably; visiting us with his loving-kindness:” which signify God’s merciful regard to those who are in misery and distress.

1834 · Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible: 2 Corinthians 1.24

Some seek consolation in their surviving friends, and look to them to comfort and sustain the sinking heart. But the arm of an earthly friend is feeble, when God lays His hand upon us. It is only the hand that smites that can heal; only the God that sends the affliction, that can bind up the broken spirit. He is the "Father of mercies," and He is "the God of all consolation;" and in affliction there is no true comfort except in Him.

1834 · Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible: 2 Corinthians 1.3

The Hebrews used the word "father" often to denote the author, or source of anything; and the idea in phraseology like this is, that mercy proceeds from God, that he is the source of it, and that it is his nature to impart mercy and compassion, as if he originated it; or was the source and fountain of it - sustaining a relation to all true consolation analogous to that which a father sustains to his offspring. God has the paternity of all true joy. It is one of his special and glorious attributes that he thus produces consolation and mercy. And the God of all comfort - The source of all consolation. Paul delighted, as all should do, to trace all his comforts to God; and Paul, as all Christians have, had sufficient reason to regard God as the source of true consolation. There is no other real source of happiness but God; and he is able abundantly, and willing to impart consolation to his people.

1834 · Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible: 2 Corinthians 1.3

The phrase "blessed be God," is equivalent to "praised be God;" or is an expression of thanksgiving. It is the usual formula of praise (compare Eph 1:3); and shows his entire confidence in God, and his joy in him, and his gratitude for his mercies. it is one of innumerable instances which show that it is possible and proper to bless God in view of the trials with which he visits his people, and of the consolations which he causes to abound. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ - God is mentioned here in the relation of the "Father of the Lord Jesus," doubtless because it was through the Lord Jesus, and him alone, that He had imparted the consolation which he had experienced, 2Co 1:5. Paul knew no other God than the "Father of the Lord Jesus;" he knew no other source of consolation than the gospel; he knew of no way in which God imparted comfort except through his Son. That is genuine Christian consolation which acknowledges the Lord Jesus as the medium by whom it is imparted; that is proper thanksgiving to God which is offered through the Redeemer; that only is the proper acknowledgment of God which recognizes him as the "Father of the Lord Jesus."

1871 · A. R. Fausset, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on 2 Corinthians 1.3

Father of mercies—that is, the SOURCE of all mercies (compare Jas 1:17; Ro 12:1). comfort—which flows from His "mercies" experienced. Like a true man of faith, he mentions "mercies" and "comfort," before he proceeds to speak of afflictions (2Co 1:4-6). The "tribulation" of believers is not inconsistent with God's mercy, and does not beget in them suspicion of it; nay, in the end they feel that He is "the God of ALL comfort," that is, who imparts the only true and perfect comfort in every instance (Ps 146:3, 5, 8; Jas 5:11).

1899 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 45 (1899) 2640

The first is the comforting occupation in which Paul was employing himself—he was blessing God. "Blessed be God." Then, secondly, we have the comforting titles which he gives to God—"The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." Truly, they who know the Lord's name do put their trust in Him. Paul knew the name of God right well and he used the most appropriate name for the time of sorrow.

1899 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 45 (1899) 2640

Now, thirdly, I am to speak of THE COMFORTING FACT which Paul here mentions. "The God of all comfort .. .comforts us in all our tribulation." This was Paul's declaration and I, also, may speak in the name of many here present and say, "That is not only true of Paul, and the Christians in his day, but it is also true of us." The God of all comfort has comforted us in our tribulation. Look back, now, on the pages of your diary that bear the record of your sorrow—do they not also bear the record of the Lord's help in the sorrow and His deliverance from the sorrow? If I cannot speak for all of you, I will speak for myself.

1899 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 45 (1899) 2640

God is the God of all comfort—not merely of some comfort, but of all comfort. If you need every kind of comfort that was ever given to men, God has it in reserve and He will give it to you! If there are any comforts to be found by God's people in sickness, in prison, in need, in depression—the God of all comfort will deal them out to you according as you have need of them!

1900 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 46 (1900) 2657

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Let me read those titles again. "The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father of mercies. The God of all comfort." Do not the second and third titles derive much of their significance from the first one? It is because God is "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" that He becomes "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." 4. Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

1930–1933 · A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 1.3

The father of mercies (ο πατηρ των οικτιρμων) and God of all comfort (και θεος πασης παρακλησεως). Paul adds an item to each word. He is the compassionate Father characterized by mercies (οικτιρμων, old word from οικτειρω, to pity, and here in plural, emotions and acts of pity). He is the God of all comfort (παρακλησεως, old word from παρακαλεω, to call to one's side, common with Paul). Paul has already used it of God who gave eternal comfort (2Th 2:16 ). The English word comfort is from the Latin confortis (brave together).

1655–1662 · William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour Part 18. Direction Seventh. The Several Pieces of the Whole Armour of God. Third

We are prone then to be suspicious our best friends forget us, and to think every stay a delay and neglect of us. Therefore God chooseth to show himself most kind at such a time: ‘As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ,’ II Cor. 1:5. As man laid on trouble, so Christ laid on consolation. Both tides rose and fell together. When it was spring-tide with him in affliction, it was so with him in his joy. We relieve the poor as their charge increaseth; so Christ comforts his people as their troubles multiply. And now, Christian, tell me, doth not thy dear Lord deserve a ready spirit in thee to meet any suffering with, for, or from him, who gives his sweetest comforts when his people use to expect their saddest sorrows? Well may the servant do his work cheerfully, when his master is so careful of him as with his own hands to bring him his breakfast into the fields. The Christian stays not till he come to heaven for all his comfort. There indeed shall be the full supper; but there is a breakfast, Christian, of previous joys, more or less, which Christ brings to thee in the field, and shall be eaten on the place where thou endurest thy hardship.

1679 · Thomas Manton, Works, vol. III Eighteen Sermons on the Second Chapter of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians,, Sermon XVII. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work

That there is a special allowance of comfort for God’s children in their afflictions. The Lord is more tender of his people then, when they want comfort, than at another time; they have a more plentiful measure of the supporting operations of his Spirit then: as 1 Peter iv. 14, ‘If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.’ As the mother keepeth most with the sick child, so God looketh to the afflicted. This is the difference between God and the world: the world ever runneth most after those that are prosperous, and flourish and rejoice, as rivers into the sea, where there is water enough; but forsaketh those that are in poverty, disgrace, and want; but God is most mindful of his afflicted people, visiteth them most, vouchsafeth most of his comfortable presence to those that holily and meekly bear the afflictions he layeth upon them: ‘He comforteth us in all our tribulations,’ 2 Cor. i. 4. The soul is then more capable of spiritual comforts, because their taste is more purged and refined from the dregs of sense, and grace is more lively and exercised now; the more grace, the more comfort. And prayers are more frequent; and prayers are seldom in vain. (3.) That our comforts carry proportion with our sorrows: 2 Cor. i. 5, ‘As our afflictions abound, so do our consolations.’ This cometh from the wisdom of God, that the evil may not be greater than our support; and from the faithfulness of God, ‘who will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear,’ 1 Cor. x. 13. And therefore, if he bring on heavy troubles, he puts a suitable measure of comfort and cheerfulness into our hearts.

1871 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 17 (1871) 997

In the deeper waters you shall find him nearer, for he has said, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.” He will be with you always, but he has promised to come to you specially and peculiarly, and, as it were, by appointment, when you are driven out into the wilderness, or harassed by the foe. He comforteth those that are cast down. Rejoice, therefore, in your afflictions, if so be you have faith to believe that they shall be blessed for your good.

1883 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 29 (1883) 1741

Has not the Holy Spirit especially undertaken the work of comfort in order that it may be effectually done? Trials depress the hearts of God's children, for which the most tender ministry fails to afford consolation—and then it is most sweet for the failing comforter to remember the unfailing Comforter—and to commit the case of the sorrowful spirit into Divine hands. Seeing that one Person of the blessed Trinity has undertaken to be the Comforter, we see how important it is that our hearts should be filled with consolation.

1889 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 35 (1889) 2099

If suffering is a fire, the consolations of God assure us that it is a refining fire, which only consumes our dross. Do you not think that the comfortable fruits of righteousness, which are brought forth in those Believers who are exercised by trial, are the source of great comfort to the afflicted of the Lord?— "Since all that I meet shall work for my good, The bitter is sweet, the medicine is food." Another reflection sweetly cheers the heart of the tried one during his tribulation, namely, that he has a Comrade in it.

1906 · Hannah Whitall Smith, The God of All Comfort 3

But strangely enough, while it is easy for us when we are happy and do not need comforting, to believe that our God is the “God of all comfort,” but as soon as we are in trouble and need it, it seems impossible to believe that there can be any comfort for us anywhere. It would almost seem as if, in our reading of the Bible, we had reversed its meaning, and made it say, not “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” but “Blessed are they that rejoice, for they, and they only, shall be comforted.” It is very strange how often in our secret hearts we almost unconsciously alter the Bible words a little, and so make the meaning exactly opposite to what it actually is; or else we put in so many “ifs” and “buts” as to take the whole point out of what is said. Take for instance, those beautiful words, “God that comforteth those that are cast down,” and ask ourselves whether we have never been tempted to make it read in our secret hearts, “God who forsaketh those who are cast down,” or, “God who overlooks those who are cast down,” or, “God who will comfort those who are cast down if they show themselves worthy of comfort”; and whether, consequently, instead of being comforted, we have not been plunged into misery and despair. The psalmist tells us that God will “comfort us on every side,” and what an all-embracing bit of comfort this is. “On every side,” no aching spot to be left uncomforted.

1906 · Hannah Whitall Smith, The God of All Comfort 3

We none of us care for pious phrases, we want realities; and the reality of being comforted and comfortable seems to me almost more delightful than any other thing in life. We all know what it is. When as little children we have cuddled up into our mother’s lap after a fall or a misfortune, and have felt her dear arms around us, and her soft kisses on our hair, we have had comfort. When, as grown-up people, after a hard day’s work, we have put on our slippers and seated ourselves by the fire, in an easy chair with a book, we have had comfort. When, after a painful illness, we have begun to recover, and have been able to stretch our limbs and open our eyes without pain, we have had comfort. When someone whom we dearly love has been ill almost unto death, and has been restored to us in health again, we have had comfort. A thousand times in our lives probably, have we said, with a sigh of relief, as a toil over or burdens laid down, “Well, this is comfortable,” and in that word comfortable there has been comprised more a rest, and relief, and satisfaction, and pleasure, than any other word in the English language could possibly be made to express. We cannot fail, therefore, to understand the meaning of this name of God, the “God of all comfort.”

1906 · Hannah Whitall Smith, The God of All Comfort 3

We must feel the need of comfort before we can listen to the words of comfort. And God knows that it is infinitely better and happier for us to need His comforts and receive them, than ever it could be not to need them and so be without them. The consolations of God mean the substituting of a far higher and better thing for what we lose to get them. The things we lose are earthly things, those He substitutes are heavenly.

1906 · Hannah Whitall Smith, The God of All Comfort 3

If any troubled doubting heart, any heart that is fearing continually every day some form or other of evil should read these lines, let me tell you again in trumpet tones that this is just what the Lord Jesus Christ is for—to care for and comfort all who mourn. “All,” remember, every single one, even you yourself, for it would not be “all” if you were left out. You may be so cast down that you can hardly lift up your head, but the apostle tells us that He is the “God that comforteth those that are cast down”; the comforting of Christ. All who mourn, all who are cast down—I love to think of such a mission of comfort in a world of mourning like ours; and I long to see every cast down and sorrowing heart comforted with this comforting of God. And our Comforter is not far off in Heaven where we cannot find Him.

1910 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 56 (1910) 3189

When God speaks about His pity, He compares Himself to the father. "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him." But when He speaks about comfort, He selects the mother. When I have seen the little ones sick, I have felt all the pity in the world for them, but I did not know how to set to work to comfort them—but a mother knows by instinct how to do it! There is placed in the mother's tender heart a power of sympathy and very soon she finds the word or gives the touch that will meet her darling's case and cheer its troubled soul.

c. 1714 · Daniel Mayo, Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1.3-6

The advantage which others might receive; for God intended that they should be able to comfort others in trouble (v. 4), by communicating to them their experiences of the divine goodness and mercy; and the sufferings of good men have a tendency to this good end (v. 6) when they are endued with faith and patience. Note, (1.) What favours God bestows on us are intended not only to make us cheerful ourselves, but also that we may be useful to others.

1834 · Albert Barnes, Notes on the Bible: 2 Corinthians 1.24

One great design of the consolation which is imparted to Christians in the time of affliction is, that they may be able to impart consolation also to others; 2Co 1:4, 2Co 1:6-7. God designs that we should thus be mutual aids. And He comforts a minister in his trials, that he may, by his own experience, be able to minister consolation to the people of his charge; he comforts a parent, that he may administer consolation to his children; a friend, that he may comfort a friend. He who attempts to administer consolation should be able to speak from experience: and God, therefore, afflicts and comforts all His people, that they may know how to administer consolation to those with whom they are connected.

1871 · A. R. Fausset, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on 2 Corinthians 1.4

The apostle lived, not to himself, but to the Church; so, whatever graces God conferred on him, he considered granted not for himself alone, but that he might have the greater ability to help others [Calvin]. So participation in all the afflictions of man peculiarly qualified Jesus to be man's comforter in all his various afflictions (Isa 50:4-6; Heb 4:15).

1893 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 39 (1893) 2322

I can truly say that while this is our duty, when we succeed in it, it is also our delight. To take the burden from the heavy heart is a great joy. Whenever I have comforted any mourners, I think that I have had even more comfort than the comforted ones! You cannot impart consolation to others without, at the same time, enjoying it, yourself, in some measure, at any rate. You put out your hands to open the door into the King's banqueting house for another and, lo, your own fingers drip with sweet-smelling myrrh, from the handle of the door! Try to cheer another heart and you will go the nearest way to cheer your own.

1894 · James Denney, The Expositor's Bible: The Second Epistle to the Corinthians I. Suffering and Consolation

We must ourselves have needed and have found comfort, before we know what it is; we must ourselves have learned the art of consoling in the school of suffering, before we can practise it for the benefit of others. The most painfully tried, the most proved in suffering, the souls that are best acquainted with grief, provided their consolation has abounded through Christ, are specially called to this ministry. Their experience is their preparation for it. Nature is something, and age is something; but far more than nature and age is that discipline of God to which they have been submitted, that initiation into the sufferings of Christ which has made them acquainted with His consolations also, and has taught them to know the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Are they not among His best gifts to the Church, those whom He has qualified to console, by consoling them in the fire?

1899 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 45 (1899) 2640

"Prayer, meditation, and affliction," says Melanchthon, "are the three things that make the minister of God." There must be prayer. There must be meditation and there must be affliction. You cannot pronounce the promise correctly in the ears of the afflicted unless you, yourself, have known its preciousness in your own hour of trial. It is God's will that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, should often work by men according to that ancient word of His, "Comfort you, comfort you My people, says your God. Speak you comfortably to Jerusalem." These comforting men are to be made—they are not born so—and they have to be made by passing through the furnace, themselves. They cannot comfort others unless they have had trouble and have been comforted in it. More than this, the intent of God is to make us able comforters—"that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble."

1909 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 55 (1909) 3145

Do not reply that you are unable to act as a comforter. Learn the art. If you cannot speak well, there is a better way than speech. A little child once said to her mother, "Mother, I stopped with Widow Brown, for she said that I comforted her so." "Well, I daresay you did, my Dear," the mother replied. "But, Mother, I do not see that I am of any use to her, for I cannot tell her anything—but I put my cheek against hers and when she cries, I cry too—and she says that it comforts her."

1909 · Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons, Volume 55 (1909) 3145

"Weep with them that weep." You cannot more effectually console them. Comfort others with the comfort with which you yourself are comforted of God, for Paul said, "Be of good cheer. I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." He had been comforted of the Lord and with this consolation he could cheer others.