In chapter 7, Paul recounts a specific incident in which God Himself comforted him. God used the means of Titus's arrival (2Cor. 7:5-7) to comfort Paul. Titus's safe arrival and the report of the Corinthians served to comfort Paul. Titus was safe and the Corinthians were finally doing the right thing. This encouraged him. Listen to these verses: 5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn— fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 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. [NOTICE, he uses the word "comfort" four times in these three verses!!!!]
Paul recognized this of God. He is the "God of all comfort" (1:3) and one "who comforts the downcast." He interpreted these events in his life theologically. He knew that he was called to suffer and he also knew that God had granted him comfort in the midst of his affliction. One, he praises God because He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. Two, Paul declares that God is the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction. Three, Paul tells us the purpose of that comfort, namely, to comfort others. How does God comfort? 1. Sometimes He comforts us immediately (without means). 2. Sometimes God uses means (events, persons, words, the Word). 3. Sometimes He comforts us by delivering us out of afflictions (v. 10). 4. Sometimes He comforts us in our afflictions.
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Dr. Mark Herzer has been the pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church (P.C.A.) in Warminster, PA since 1997. Before this, he was ordained to labor as an Assistant Pastor of Korean United Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (1992-1995). He received his M.A.R. and Ph. D....
