Question 1

What does it mean that God is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort?

Accepted Answer

Calling God the “Father of mercies” means that mercy begins with Him. Mercy is not something He has to be talked into, it is part of who He is. He gladly shows pity and kindness to weak and hurting people. Calling Him the “God of all comfort” means every real, lasting comfort comes from Him. He uses His Spirit, His promises, and His people to strengthen hearts in trouble. This title shows that when life hurts, we are not sent away from God, but invited to come closer to Him for help.

Question 2

What are the sufferings of Christ that Paul says abound in him?

Accepted Answer

When Paul speaks of “the sufferings of Christ” abounding in him, he is talking about the hardships he faces as Christ’s servant. He is not adding to Christ’s saving work, but sharing in the cost of following and serving Him. These sufferings include danger, pressure, fear, and being near death. Paul ties his pain to Christ because he suffers for Christ’s name and because Christ cares and shares in the pain of His people. As these sufferings increase, Paul says comfort from Christ also increases.

Question 3

How does God’s comfort help believers comfort others in trouble?

Accepted Answer

Paul explains that God comforts him “in all our tribulation” so that he will be able to comfort others in any trouble. The idea is simple: when God carries you through something hard, you do not just keep that experience to yourself. You can sit beside someone else who is hurting and speak from what you have lived, not just from ideas. You can point them to the same God, the same promises, and the same hope that held you up. In this way, comfort spreads from one believer to another.

Question 4

Why does Paul say his afflictions are for the Corinthians’ consolation and salvation?

Accepted Answer

Paul says that when he is afflicted, it is for the believers’ “consolation and salvation.” He means that his suffering is not wasted. As he goes through hardship and is kept by God, the church is strengthened. They see an example of endurance and learn that God truly sustains His servants. This helps them hold on through the same kind of sufferings. His comfort is also for them, because the encouragement he receives, he passes on to them. Both his troubles and his relief work for their spiritual good.

Question 5

What trouble in Asia is Paul talking about when he despaired of life?

Accepted Answer

Paul does not name the exact event, but he says that in Asia he was “pressed out of measure, above strength,” to the point that he despaired even of life. It could have been violent opposition or some other severe danger. What matters is how he reads it: he says they had “the sentence of death” in themselves so they would stop trusting in themselves and learn to trust in God who raises the dead. The experience took him beyond his own strength and pushed him to rest on God’s power alone.

Question 6

What does it mean that Paul had the sentence of death in himself?

Accepted Answer

Having “the sentence of death” in himself means Paul felt sure he was going to die. In his own mind and feelings, the situation was beyond escape. He saw no human way out. Instead of this destroying his faith, it drove him to a deeper trust. He understood that God allowed this so he “should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.” When all human hope was gone, he leaned on the God who can even bring life out of death. This changed how he faced future trials.

Question 7

How does Paul describe God’s deliverance in past, present, and future?

Accepted Answer

Paul speaks of God’s rescue in three time frames. He says God “delivered us from so great a death” looking back on a past rescue. Then he adds that God “doth deliver,” meaning God is still at work guarding and helping them in their current dangers. Finally he says, “in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us,” showing his hope for the future. Past help becomes a reason to keep trusting. This way of speaking teaches believers to remember what God has done and use it to strengthen hope for what is ahead.

Question 8

Why does Paul ask the Corinthians to help together by prayer for him?

Accepted Answer

Paul believes prayer is a real way believers share in each other’s burdens. He asks them to “help together by prayer for us,” meaning their prayers join with his own as part of God’s way of bringing deliverance. When God answers, many people will be able to give thanks, not just Paul and his team. This shows that trusting God does not mean being passive. God’s people still pray, and God uses those prayers. It also shows that suffering and rescue are meant to draw the church into deeper unity.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about how to face suffering today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that suffering is not random for a believer. It can push us away from trusting ourselves and toward trusting God who raises the dead. It reminds us that when suffering grows, God’s comfort can grow too. Our hard times are not just about us, because God can use them to help others through the comfort we receive. It also shows the value of praying for one another and thanking God together when He helps. So in trouble we can look up to God, look back at His help, and look around to support others.

2 Corinthians 1:3

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

The God of All Comfort

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2 Corinthians 1:3

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

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The God of All Comfort

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