The God of All Comfort
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies,
and THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by
the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so
our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation,
which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted,
it is for your consolation and salvation.
2 Corinthians 1:3ff (Spoke 3, Cycle 3)
If great mortal authors distinguish themselves by establishing their key themes in the open-ing words of their works,
should we expect anything less in the Book given by the one and only Immortal Author? And so it is that in the
opening passage of 2 Corinthians on Spoke 3 God placed the greatest density of the word comfort to be
found anywhere in the Bible. Every highlighted word in the passage above is based on the Greek root parakaleo (to comfort).
It is the root of the Title of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, as revealed by Jesus Christ Himself (John 14:25ff):
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the
Comforter (Parakletos), which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Most people are familiar with this name in its anglicized form, Paraklete.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul wrote of the comfort God gives "in all our tribulation" which also links to the theme
of sorrow discussed above (see Zion hath No Comforter!).
This is the great gift of God, given to all who turn to Him in faith. But those who reject God,
typified in Scripture by the disobedience of Israel while they yet had God present with them in the
Temple in Jerusalem, will have no comforter, as shown by God in Lamentations (Spoke 3, Cycle 2).
Again, the pattern of the Books exemplifies the character and ministry of the corresponding Persons of the Trinity.
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The God of All Comfort
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