2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

Bible Commentary

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 are Bible verses from the New Testament that praise God for revealing the purpose behind our suffering and affliction, which is to comfort others with the same comfort we receive from God the Father.

Most of us have heard the term, “paying it forward.” There is something grand about giving to someone in need or serving in some capacity.

Even so, our fulfillment is elevated to a whole new level when we are able to minister to someone who is experiencing a very similar hardship we ourselves have been through. We feel a personal connection.

Maybe that is the secret to uniting a people who are very divided.

I remember the aftermath of the tragic events of 9/11, the painful loss of life—instant and massive. The United States was in shock. We watched what seemed like a horror movie in slow motion…pain, death and destruction.

No matter what your political or religious views, this was a time we were united…united in sorrow because of those who had lost their lives, united with those who had lost their loved ones, and with those who were frantically searching for the missing.

That day, we were all Americans under the tattered flag that had witnessed this horrible event. Suddenly, we remembered our commonality as we all stood together. Like the true symbol it is, the American flag began to show up in amazing places all over the country–a true representation of a light shining through the sorrow and pain.

One nation under God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ 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.”

How unfortunate that it takes a tragedy for us to put our bickering and differences aside and pull together as a nation. It is the underlying compassion and inherent goodness in mankind that comes to the surface when tragedy hits–the light of Jesus Christ.

Unlocking the Truth – Tragedy to Truth

The God Who created us wove the very fabric of His nature into us—love. But it gets buried by distractions and our sensitivity about our insecurities, and we become easily offended, which only highlights the differences between us.

It has been our practice to focus on the things that divide us, instead of focusing on our common qualities. This is a dangerous and perpetual motion that is not easily stopped, and the devil, the father of lies, keeps the fire of animosity burning.

But then, affliction hits.

Maybe it’s an illness, the loss of a relationship, or a financial hardship. This is when we look up to God and reach out to each other for support. This is when we recognize what is really important. We see value in each other, and we feel compassion and a desire to help, to give.

The word “comforted” in 1 Corinthians 1:4 in the Greek means: call near, invite, call for, intreat, pray.

The very definition of the word brings us together. Where we would not humble ourselves before to ask something from someone we are at odds with, an affliction will do the humbling for us and compel us to reach out for help.

The affliction breaks down pride and brings humility, which destroys the dividing line of hostility.

We are comforted by God in all our affliction. And then when affliction hits someone we know, we can comfort them with that same comfort, paying it forward.

Study the Bible verses of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 to know the comfort of your loving Heavenly Father and to be at peace with others.