2 Corinthians 1 - The Power of Compassion!

2 Corinthians 1 - NIV

Enduring Word Commentary

Background on Paul's Letter

Written by the Apostle Paul around A.D. 55-57, 2 Corinthians is an intensely personal letter where Paul reconciles with the church in Corinth, defends his apostolic authority against false teachers, and encourages the congregation to complete their promised financial gift for the impoverished church in Jerusalem. - Bible Hub

Praise to the God of All Comfort

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Paul gives us some wisdom as it relates to how we offer compassion to others who are suffering. The word for "compassion" is also translated "comfort".  Importantly this word is more than "soothing sympathy" but the idea is strengthening and literally "making brave". The key thing is that we are we offering something we have been given ourselves. We can't "transmit what we don't have". And because what we have is from Christ, it is of inestimable value. 

Paul has certainly enduring a ton of suffering such as: 

Paul had a life filled with suffering. He described some of these sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: stripes… prisons… beatings… stonings… shipwrecked… perils of waters… robbers… in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Yet, Paul knew that all his sufferings were really the sufferings of Christ. - Guzik

Because there have been issues and misunderstandings between Paul and the Corinthian church, Paul shows his concern for their sufferings, which were mainly through persecution. He shows that he has the heart of a pastor. This reminds us of the saying, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

Sometimes we offer "empty platitudes" or "trite cliches" when people are going through difficult times. Most people don't usually want answers to problem but to know there are people who are there for them and going through it with them. Paul says it in another way to the Galatians, 

"Bear each others burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

Who are people how need to offer the comfort, consolation, and compassion of Christ? Don't try to fix them, solve their problem, but be present in the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you. The fellowship the Holy Spirit gives two believers is called "koinonia", which is a supernatural connection between two human beings orchestrated by God. 

Jesus, thank you for the consolation you have provided for us by dying for our sin on the cross and sending us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, you suffered more than any human being who has ever lived, yet you remained faithful to the Father. Help us to remain faithful to you and to endure suffering through Your help. Amen. 

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