BEN F. VICK, JR.

Second Corinthians is the most personal of Paul’s epistles. His mindset is seen more in this letter than in any of his other writings. Luke records his journeys, but Paul expresses his own thoughts especially during his third missionary journey while at Ephesus, Troas, Macedonia and Corinth. Paul defended his apostleship in this second letter to the Corinthians. He was compelled to do so because the Judaizing teachers were accusing him of not being a genuine apostle. If anyone needed support, it was Paul. The attacks on him were unfounded and unwarranted. Thus, after his address and salutation, he wrote:

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.

“Comfort” or “consolation” is used ten times in these five verses. Both of these words were translated from the same root word (παράκλησις) which is defined as 1) a calling near, summons, (especially for help); 2) importation, supplication, entreaty; 3) exhortation, admonition, encouragement; 4) consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment….” (Thayer.)

Paul by inspiration praises God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, referring to him as “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” True comfort or solace is given by God in Christ Jesus. Who does not need relief or cheer in times of grief, trouble, or calamity? Who does not seek to have his grief alleviated, his troubles mitigated or his sorrows assuaged? Only in Christ can one truly be comforted.

If anyone had experienced troubles, it was Paul. If anyone knew true comfort, it was Paul. God had comforted him in all of his tribulations. The Apostle to the Gentiles had experienced pressure, oppression, and distress for he wrote, “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.” (2 Cor. 1:8.)

Paul was alluding to the rioting in the city of Ephesus while he was there. Demetrius, a silversmith, had stirred up the people against Paul. Demetrius had called together those who were of like occupation, and said: “Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.”

This speech incited a riot of the whole city. Two of Paul’s companions in travel, Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, were seized and taken into the theatre. Paul wanted to go into the theatre as well; however, the disciples and “certain of the chief of Asia,” who were his friends, persuaded him not to go into the theatre. “Chief of Asia” ( τῶν Ἀσιαρχῶν) or Asiarachs “…were persons who presided over sacred things and over the public games. It was their business to see that the proper services of religion were observed, and that proper honor was rendered to the Roman emperor in the public festivals, at the games, etc. They were annually elected, and their election was confirmed at Rome before it was valid. They held a common council at the principal city with their province, as at Ephesus, Smyrna, Sardis, etc., to consult and deliberate about the interests committed to their charge in their various provinces….”(Barnes.)

Paul described his time at Ephesus as having been “pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.” He was burdened, weighed down, depressed beyond measure and above what he was able to bear. And to what degree was he depressed? He despaired even of life. He had fought with beasts at Ephesus. I do not think that refers to literal beasts, but he was under great pressure because his friends were suffering. Demetrius placed all the blame on Paul. Thus, the mental pressure was extreme. Later in Paul’s enumeration of trials he refers to “in deaths oft.” This must have been one of those occasions. He knew that death was always imminent. Barnes quotes Baxter who expressed a sentiment which guided Paul’s ministry: “He preach’d as though he ne’er would preach again, as a dying man to dying men.”

Though Paul’s troubles and tribulations were great, so was the comfort and consolation with which God had blessed him. He said that the God of all comfort “comforteth us in all our tribulations.” When our troubles seem to weigh us down, God’s comfort can lift us up.

When storms around are sweeping,

When lone my watch I’m keeping,

Mid fires of evil falling,

Mid tempters’ voices calling,

Remember me, O Mighty One!

When walking on life’s ocean,

Control its raging motion;

When from its dangers shrinking,

When in its dread deep sinking,

Remember me, O Mighty One!

When weight of sin oppresses,

When dark despair distresses;

All through the life’s that’s mortal,

And when I pass death’s portal,

Remember me, O Mighty One!

— Joanna Kinkel