Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears 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 you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. (2 Cor. 7:5-7)
Last week, I read these passages above from 2 Corinthians. The more I thought about it, the more excited I was to find another example of what is called Immanuel labor, the biblical connection between God’s presence and human work.
I invite you to join me as I carefully unpack these verses. My intent is to help us see how God can work through us to provide comfort to those who are suffering so that they can in turn can provide that same comfort to others. Before I show how these verses support the idea of Immanuel labor, let me define the word.
What is comfort?
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia indicates that the Greek word used here is parakaleo. It means “call by the side.” Interestingly, it mentions that in this culture, “the consoler becomes involved empathetically in the sorrow or discomfort of the one needing comfort, and together they find release.”
I see comfort in many places: when my son or daughter snuggles one of their young children after they’ve gotten hurt or when I sit next to my beautiful wife after I’ve had a long, hard day at work. For others, it is a warm blanket after we’ve nearly drowned. It is a hug from a teammate after we’ve lost the big game. It is a word of encouragement when we face disappointment. It is something given in words or actions to provide the one who is suffering some measure of security, peace, and strength during a storm.
Comfort comes from God
Paul mentions one of God’s attributes as the source of His comfort. Paul identifies God as “the Father of compassion” (2 Cor. 1:3). The psalmist says that He knows “we are dust” (Ps. 103:14). He created us; He knows our weaknesses. Only God can provide His presence and remind us of His promises that meet our deepest needs.
In 2 Cor. 1:3, Paul also speaks of “the God of all comfort.” Paul does not intend to limit this activity to merely God the Father. Providing comfort is a trinitarian thing: God comforts us “in all our troubles,” as do Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
In Matt. 9:36, when Jesus saw the crowds that came to hear Him preach, He felt empathy for them because they were “like sheep without a shepherd.” His compassion led to acts of healing and deliverance. The Holy Spirit is described as a helper, comforter, or advocate, who will not only be with us but in us (John 14:16-17).
God’s comfort is meant to be shared
We’ve discussed the first part of this first passage – receiving God’s comfort. Now, let us take a look at what should come next – giving it.
The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary informs us that this passage highlights one attribute of God that Paul appreciated in a deeper way due to his circumstances. However, he understood its main purpose was to focus on others who needed God’s comfort. We read, “To experience God’s help, consolation, and encouragement in the midst of all one’s affliction is to become indebted and equipped to communicate the divine comfort to others in any kind of affliction or distress.” I appreciate the reminder that when we receive God’s comfort, it qualifies us to comfort those whom God brings in our midst.
Why do we need God’s comfort? Paul writes in 2 Cor. 1:6 that comfort “produces in you patient endurance.” We need it so that we can faithfully press on even when we have suffered a major loss. When we suffer, it is natural to doubt that God is with us. When we comfort others, we can reassure them that God is still present with them and that He is more than able to enable them to persevere through the trial.
In the past, I often pointed out that going through a particular trial would allow us to minister to those who are going through the same thing. My wife, who had a miscarriage years ago can certainly share how she got through it with a young woman who has suffered the same loss. However, this passage indicates that “we can comfort those in any trouble.” The reason Paul can boldly make this claim is that we are not to focus on teaching others what we did. We need to focus on what God can do.
I see these verses clearly linking God’s presence to our work. He was with us in an intimate way as He provided us with the comfort we needed. He will be with us as we make an effort to pass this same comfort on to others. The only way we can do this is by being a coworker with God as He does this important work through us.
The never-ending chain of comfort
Let’s focus now on 2 Cor. 7:5-7.
The key to understanding this chain of comfort is by observing all of the key players. Let me summarize what is happening in this passage.
Paul reminds us that God, “who comforts the downcast,” comforted him and his team through Titus. Notice that Titus received comfort from the church in Corinth. Where did they receive it? From God. What does Paul do with the comfort He received? He passes it on to us in this epistle, and we pass it on to others who need it. In response to Paul’s teaching in 2 Cor. 1:4, they pass it on to others, who pass it on to others, etc.
Here is what I see: God comforts the church in Corinth, who comforts Titus, who comforts Paul, who then comforts us, and we in turn comfort others. Here, as in the previous passage, you can see God’s presence linking up with human efforts to bring comfort. God works through His people.
Implications for all of us
There are a large number of people who get paid to provide comfort to those who need it: chaplains, counselors, day-care workers, mental health professionals, medical personnel, etc. God provides comfort to those who need it through your work. (I invite you to read an article I wrote about first responders on 9/11.)
However, the passages above have implications for all of us. If we have experienced God’s comfort when we’ve suffered, and that should be every single believer because we have all suffered in one way or another, we are called to provide comfort to others around us who suffer. This is non-negotiable.
The amazing truth I want to close with is that God does not need any of us to help Him in comforting His people. He graciously invites us to be His coworkers in this ministry that everyone who has suffered and received comfort can do by simply sharing how God brought them comfort and reminding them of His faithfulness. God placed you in families, workplaces, churches, and neighborhoods to be around people who suffer. Keep your eyes open for a chance for God to comfort others through you.
Written by Russell E. Gehrlein
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Grandfather Magazine
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