In my Bible reading this morning I ran across an encouraging verse on encouragement.
In 2 Corinthians 7 Paul writes,
6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
I share with you several observations that emerged as I reflected on this verse.
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1) Even Paul, the great apostle, was in need of comfort (ESV, NASV) and encouragement (NET). He was “downcast.” I can’t remember many Christian leaders telling their congregation they were “downcast” (ESV) or “depressed” (NASV). Shows his humility, doesn’t it, for Paul to say that. We can learn from this verse that even powerful, godly, successful Christian leaders can become discouraged.
In chapter one Paul explains that God’s comfort was connected with his “troubles” (a word that means squeezed or crushed). Earlier in this chapter Paul describes in more detail what these troubles actually were,
Our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn – fighting without and fear within” (verse 5).
2) Comfort comes from God. God took the initiative here. “God who comforts…” He is actively involved in the lives of those who serve him, taking care of them. In chapter 1 of this book he is referred to as the “God of all comfort“.
3) The word comfort in this verse is the well known word parakaleo. It refers to coming along side someone to help them in their need. In its noun form, Jesus uses the word to describe the Holy Spirit. He is the promised “Comforter”. The comfort or encouragement God provides is strong and exactly suited to our need at the time.
4) God’s comfort came to Paul through another person. Titus, although he probably didn’t even know it, was sent by God to Paul to comfort his mentor, the apostle Paul.
Think about the sequence here. God sent Titus to Paul to encourage him. That event reverberates down through history and encourages us as we read it 2000 years later. One of the reasons God comforts us is,
So that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Cor 1:4).
