Comfort Through Christ
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This passage challenges us to change our perspective on suffering and tribulation. There is a purpose for our pain and it isn’t only personal growth. We endure suffering that we might be better able to comfort one another. Paul reveals two realities about suffering in this passage of Scripture. The first is that…
When Suffering Abounds, So Does Comfort vv.3-5
In this chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul is saying good bye. He has given his admonitions, he has answered their questions, now he is giving some last few exhortations. He has talked about visiting them, about Timothy and Apollos. He is going to mention some other believers and give greetings. But right in the middle of this section Paul exhorts the believers in Corinth to five specific behaviors. This is a kind of summation for Paul. This is how he wraps everything he has told them into a neat package. They first need to…
Paul gives us a description of God in v. 3. This is how he begins his discussion of suffering. Who is God? He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to Scripture this makes Him the One who sent Jesus (), the One who planned the work of Christ (), as well as the One who raised Him from the dead (). Yet Scripture also reveals that They are One (). In His human incarnation Christ was subject to the Father and obedient to Him ().
Paul is offering praise to God the Father because of His mercy and comfort. They way Paul refers to the Lord here reveals that God the Father is the source of all mercy and comfort. “Mercy” is the idea of compassion or deep sympathy for another’s suffering. “Comfort” is the idea of encouragement or consolation. The act of giving relief or comfort in affliction. All true mercy and comfort that exists has its source in God. He has compassion and sympathy for us in our suffering and he brings encouragement, relief, and comfort in our affliction! Having stated that that is who God is in v. 3 Paul states that this is also what God does in v. 4.
God comforts us in all our tribulation. “Comforts” in v. 4 is a slightly different word than in v. 3. This word comfort literally means to urge, implore, or exhort with the idea being to alleviate sorrow or distress and give strength to. God doesn’t just pat our hand and say “poor dear”. He gives us the strength and help necessary to endure! Paul next gives a purpose statement. God does this so that we can do the same for others! God strengthens us in our distress and affliction and wants to use us to strengthen others! We are not to sit and pat a suffering persons hand. We are to strengthen and help them. Why? Look at v. 5.
The sufferings of Christ abound in us. If we are living as we have been called to live, we suffer affliction. Yet when that happens we are abundantly comforted through Jesus Christ! He gives relief and comfort in our affliction. Our suffering may be abundant, but so is God’s comfort. Since we are abundantly comforted, we have the great joy of comforting others! This completely transforms our view of suffering. We endure suffering through the power and grace of God that we might encourage and strengthen others who suffer! When suffering abounds, so does comfort. The second reality we are given here is that…
The second reality we are given here is that…
Those Who Face Suffering Will Receive Comfort 6-7
Watch
According to v. 6 the apostles were afflicted for the comfort and salvation of others. This helped them to endure the sufferings they faced. This knowledge that we who suffer will have comfort and opportunity to lead others to Christ is what enables us to endure suffering. If my affliction can bring lost ones to Christ, I will face and endure it gladly! I know that when I do, I will find comfort in Christ. The comfort the apostles then received from Christ also lead to the comfort and salvation of others. The bottom line here is that comfort in trials leads to salvation for others and affliction leads to salvation for others. There are no down sides! When we face suffering in the will of God the outcome is always positive!
“Watch” is the Greek word γρηγορέω (grēgoreō) meaning be awake; be on the alert. To beware, conceived of as staying awake. This is an active imperative. Paul is giving them something to be performed. In the context of 1 Corinthians, this is fascinating. The Corinthian church has been beset by sin. Pride, arrogance, sexual immorality, abuse of the Lord’s table, abuse of spiritual gifts, and more. These believers need to be on guard! They need to be watching and aware of how Satan will attack.
The comfort they then received from Christ also lead to the comfort and salvation of others.
Paul reflects this attitude in v. 7. “Hope” is a reasonable and confident expectation. The expectation of the apostles for the believers in Corinth is steadfast, it is firm and secure because of what they know. What do they know? Just as the church in Corinth partners in suffering with the apostles, so they will also of the comfort we have in Christ! As the expression goes, this is something we can take to the bank. We can take to the bank that whenever we suffer, we will receive comfort from the Lord. He will deliver us and will strengthen and help us to endure suffering as good soldiers of Jesus Christ! When we face suffering, we will receive comfort.
When suffering abounds, comfort abound, when we face suffering we will received comfort! These are indisputable and unchanging facts! This changes our view of suffering. Suffering can be endured because we will be given comfort and strength to endure. As this takes place we are enabled to comfort and strengthen others who face suffering. This passage gives us a beautiful picture of God’s activity in our suffering as well as a picture of how the body of Christ is to function when some of its members suffer. What glorious blessing is ours in Christ!
CHALLENGE: Receive comfort and give comfort to those who suffer.
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church he writes about the need to forgive “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (). Peter gives a similar exhortation when he writes “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (). It is just as important for us today to be aware of Satan’s devices. To be alert and on guard because he is seeking to devour us! Be on guard! Secondly, they need to…
V. 3
Stand Fast in the Faith
Blessed - εὐλογητός (eulogētos) blessed; praised. Praiseworthy ⇔ blessed adj. — being praiseworthy; conceived of as being verbally blessed. Predicate adjective, nominative, singular, masculine.
Though Paul has told believers to stand firm and stand fast in other portions of Scripture, he here exhorts us to “stand fast in the faith”. “Stand fast” is the Greek word στήκω (stēkō) meaning stand; stand firm. To hold one’s ground; maintain a position; be steadfast or upright. This too is an active imperative. What is interesting is that we are not able to stand firm on our own. Paul knows this, so his command here is to “stand fast in faith”.
Mercies - οἰκτιρμός (oiktirmos) mercy; compassion; pity. Compassion n. — a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering. Noun, genitive of source, plural, masculine.
“The faith” is the idea of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Interestingly enough, Paul declared that they stood in the gospel in 15:1. Our ability to be firm and steadfast is centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Because He paid the penalty for sin and I am declared righteous in Him, I am able to stand. People are falling, unable to stand firm, because they do not know the gospel of Jesus Christ. To stand fast in faith we must be consumed with the gospel. And when trials and hard times come, be unwavering in your commitment to what God has revealed. As with watching, this is something that we do. The next two commands are different. Thirdly we find the need to…
Comfort - παράκλησις (paraklēsis) comfort; encouragement. consolation n. — the act of giving relief or comfort in affliction. Noun, genitive of source, singular, feminine.
Be Brave
While still an imperative, the command to be brave is either passive or middle. We are not entirely sure because this is the only place this particular word appears. “Brave” is the Greek word ἀνδρίζομαι (andrizomai) meaning to act courageously. To be courageous; to be manly – to be courageous, conceived of as possessing qualities befitting a man. We are going to learn in a minute that the next word “strong” is passive. This leads me to believe that “brave” is also passive. This means that we are not brave in and of ourselves. Someone has to give us the courage we need.
V. 4
In Joshua ch. 1 Moses has died. The man who led the nation of Israel for 2 generations is gone! Furthermore, the nation is about to enter the promised land which is inhabited by giants! Yet God commands Joshua to be strong, not because Joshua is so mighty, but because God will be with Him. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (). The source of our courage and bravery is the presence of the Lord! That is why this is passive. It is a command to be brave because God is with us! Bravery is needed because there is and will be opposition, but God is with us, so stand firm and be brave. Fourthly…
Comforts - παρακαλέω (parakaleō) urge; implore; exhort. to comfort v. — to alleviate sorrow or distress; give emotional strength to. Verb, present, active, attributive participle, singular, nominative.
Tribulation - θλῖψις (thlipsis) distress; affliction. distress (state) n. — an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity. Noun (prepositional object), dative, singular, feminine.
Be Strong
The third comfort is the same as v. 3.
This word is exactly what we would think it is. It is talking about power or ability. However, once again we find a word that is passive. Our strength is insufficient to do what needs to be done. We need strength from an outside source to enable us to be faithful, to keep serving, to press on when times are hard.
The rest of the repeated terms are the same words.
Immediately before Paul talks about the armor of God, He exhorts the Ephesians to be strong in the Lord. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (). Notice how specific Paul is. We are only strong “in the Lord” and “in the power of His might”. This is where strength comes from! It doesn’t come from within. Strength is born out of a dependence and trust in the Lord. If we are in need of strength, we must turn to Christ! When there is opposition from without and conflict within, the body of Christ needs the strength of Christ to carry on! The final behavior Paul exhorts them to is…
V. 5
Love
Sufferings - πάθημα (pathēma) suffering. affliction (state) n. — a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity. Noun (subject), nominative, plural, neuter.
Abound - περισσεύω (perisseuō) abound. to abound v. — to be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities. Finite verb, present, active, indicative, third person, singular.
Consolation - same word translated “comfort” in v. 3.
After just giving them a series of things to do, he commands them to do everything with love. This is, of course, agape love. All means all. Every single thing we do is to be done with love. Not in love but with love. Love is to color our actions and words. Love is to be the motivation, the life-blood of all we do.
says “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Love is to be genuine and it is to be part of all we do. We take out the trash with love, we speak with love, we demonstrate love with every fiber of our being! This was the problem in the Corinthian church. There was no love! The problems they experienced could have been eliminated with love.
V. 6
This means that as we watch, as we stand firm, as we are brave and strong we do these things with love. Though we are on guard, we remember who the enemy is. Though we are standing firm, we remember the need to pull some out of the fire! Though brave we show love. Though strong we are also gentle. Love must be woven through everything in the life of a believer. Remember that we love because He first loved us.
Afflicted - θλίβω (thlibō) afflict; oppress. to be caused to be distressed v. — to be brought into difficulties or distress or suffering. Finite verb, present, passive, indicative, first person, plural.
Consolation - same word translated “comfort” in v. 3.
Challenge: Submit to God and He will enable you to do everything with love.
Salvation - σωτηρία (sōtēria) deliverance; salvation. salvation n. — the state of being delivered or preserved from harm (of judgment); especially as what that state entails, a safe haven in heaven. Noun (prepositional object), genitive, singular, feminine.
Effective - ἐνεργέω (energeō) work; be at work. to function v. — to do what something is used for; perform as expected when operating. Verb, present, middle, attributive participle, singular, genitive, feminine.
Enduring - ὑπομονή (hypomonē) steadfastness. steadfast endurance n. — the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary. Noun (prepositional object), dative, singular, feminine.
Sufferings - same word as in v. 5.
Suffer - πάσχω (paschō) suffer. to suffer (pain) v. — to experience harm or emotional pain. Finite verb, present, active, indicative, first person, plural.
Comforted - same word translated “comforts” in v. 4.
V. 7
Hope - ἐλπίς (elpis) hope; expectation. hope n. — a reasonable and confident expectation of a future event. Noun (subject), nominative, singular, feminine.
Steadfast - (bebaios) firm; in force; valid. secure (established) adj. — not likely to fail or give way. Predicate adjective, nominative, singular, feminine.
Partakers - κοινωνός (koinōnos) partner; sharer. collaborator n. — an associate in an activity or endeavor or sphere of common interest; especially one in which the associates both participate in the profits or benefits. Adjective, predicate nominative, plural, masculine.
Sufferings - same word as in v. 5.
Consolation - same word translated “comfort” in v. 3.