The difference in tone from the first epistle is immediately seen in these words. Paul is full of comfort. That is apparent from the many appearances of the word within these 4 verses. It is the topic uppermost in his mind as he begins his letter.
Two words appear in the Greek which are related to comfort.
The words are paraklesis {par-ak’-lay-sis} and parakaleo {par-ak-al-eh’-o}. They are translated by the English words, comfort, comforteth, comforted and consolation. These words are closely related to the Greek word parakletos {par-ak’-lay-tos}. It is the word which is translated Comforter in John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7, and refers to the Holy Ghost.
Paul’s opening subject is his receiving of comfort and how that in turn enabled him to give out comfort.
I. THE BELIEVER’S NEED OF COMFORT
Note the abundance of words all linked with trouble and distress in these verses.
Tribulation and trouble, verse 4, are from the same Greek word which means pressing or pressure. It denotes oppression and distress. Afflicted in verse 6, is a closely related word and refers to the pressing of grapes. Sufferings in verses 5 and 6, have to do with afflictions borne for Christ. Although Paul does not give details here of the distresses to which he is referring, it is clear that the child of God can expect difficulties in this world.
These words suggest to us:—
1. The nature of the troubles we are called upon to endure. While all are not called to suffer to the same degree, all must suffer if they are truly Christ’s. Acts 14:22, 2 Timothy 3:12.
The nature of the difficulties that we are called upon to endure are liken unto the pressing of the grape. It is an inescapable crushing. We are hemmed in and must endure the pressure and the weight.
2. The cause of our troubles. Why is the child of God singled out as a particular target for trouble?
The weight of the world’s opposition. We live in a world which despises us as enemies. What we stand for threatens to disrupt their scheme of things. These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also, Acts 17:6. The gospel unsettles the lifestyle of the sinner. He does not wish to have the influence of the Christian doing that to him and his life.
The weight of the devil’s hatred. What the devil would like to do but is restrained from doing is revealed to us in Revelation 12:12. One day this world will for a short time see that rage at work.
The weight of our own corruptions. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 7:24. The imagery used is that of a man pressed under the weight of a dead corpse.
II. THE SOURCE OF ALL COMFORT
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, verse 3. What a glorious title. The mercies that we enjoy are His children ministering unto us. The comforts that we experience are His creations, made for our consoling. The word comfort has to do with one called alongside to help. Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Song of Solomon 8:5. Here is the position of the comforted saint. Often we are unconscious of the divine arms bearing us up. Often we are resentful of the divine arms upholding us.
1. There is no comfort outside of God. Look not for it in ourself, our friends, the world with its activities and pleasures. God is the fountain of blessing and comfort and mercy.
2. It is through our Lord Jesus that these comforts flow. He came bearing comforts. He is our Joseph in the midst of this starving world. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do, Genesis 41:55.
3. The Holy Spirit is our guide to Christ. He comes alongside us and points us to Christ. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me, John 15:26.
III. THE FRUIT OF COMFORT
That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God, verse 4.
1. One of the purposes of us being comforted is that we might comfort others. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, verse 6. Let this truth prove to be a comfort even as we endure affliction. It will yield a harvest that will prove beneficial to others. Job has ministered to countless generations out of his sufferings.
2. Only those who have enjoyed comfort have the power to comfort others. The word able means power or ability.
3. The measure of the comfort we have enjoyed is the measure of comfort that we should provide for others. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ, verse 5.