Without further delay lets get into the meat of 2Corinthians, before heading to higher spiritual grounds as found in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. Herein Paul begins with the revelation of "GOD being the GOD of all Comfort," and then the "day of the LORD." Which is a far cry from the GOD of many a belief system in these dark days of literalized prophecy.
2Corinthians 1:1-2, 3-7 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
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. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation." (KJV)
2Corinthians 1:1-2, 3-7 "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort." (ESV)
2Corinthians 1:1-2, 3-7 "I, Paul, am overwhelmed with the sense of GOD's commission on my life; Jesus Christ is the compelling urgency of my ministry. My brother Timothy and I address this writing to the Ekklesia of GOD in Corinth, including all the Saints in the whole of Greece. (The meaning church (G1577 from G1537 and G2564); is from the preposition (G1537) ek, which always denotes origin, and kaleo, which means to identify by name; to surname, to call out.) The Lordship of Jesus the Hebrew Messiah endores the fact that you are the object of GOD's favor and friendship.
Well[1,G2127] done, GOD! You are the Father of our Master Jesus Christ; you are the Father of [2,G3874]compassion and the GOD in whom everyone is equally esteemed! (The word, [1,G2128 from G2127] eulogeo, is the well done announcement; [2, G3874 from G3870, from G3844 and G2546] parakaleo, comes from(G3844) para, a preposition indicating close proximity, a thing proceeding from a sphere of influence, with a suggestion of union of place of residence, to have sprung from its author and giver, originating from, denoting the point from which an action originates, intimate connection and (G2564) kaleo, meaning to surname.) There is no contradiction of any proportion that we can possibly face that has what it takes to exasperate us or distract us from GOD. Our consciousness of his inseparable nearness immediately reinforces us to extend the same tangible [1]closeness to you in your difficult times, and together we snuggle up in the [1]comfort of his intimate embrace! (Here we see the language used above repeated again by Paul's use of the word [1] parakaleo. This stressing its importance for all his hears and today his readers.) This bliss and closeness we now participate in was made possible through the enormous [1,G1519]consequence of the sufferings of Christ. The overwhelming extent of his sufferings brought about this equally overwhelming sense of inseparable oneness! (Paul uses [1,G1519] eis, which is a primary preposition indicating the point reached in conclusion. {This is we get Isaiah 53:5's healing from by overlooking Jeremiah 17:14's call.} The theme of Scripture is the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. "This is why no form of suffering can interfere with my joy. Every suffering on your behalf is just another opportunity to reinforce that which might still be lacking [in your understanding and acceptance of me] of the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body which is the hidden church." [1Peter 1:10 and Colossians 1:24]
The inconvenience that Paul might be suffering on behalf of believers is not to add to those of Christ---as though the sufferings of Christ on our behalf were insufficient, but are for further emphasizing and confirmation of the principle of unselfishness of lave that is to constrain all New testament ministries.) Our afflictions and testimony of his closeness in the midst of it all is to spark you with courage whenever you might be facing similar contradictions. We all participate in the same salvation and enjoy equal closeness! We are so confident about you, knowing that there is nothing you could possibly face or suffer that can separate you from his nearness." (The Mirror)
And this is just the beginning of 2Corinthians! Now until our next visit may our LORD as savior be within you all.
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