2 Corinthians 1:3

KJV

¶ Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {G2128} be God {G2316}, even {G2532} the Father {G3962} of our {G2257} Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, the Father {G3962} of mercies {G3628}, and {G2532} the God {G2316} of all {G3956} comfort {G3874};

Complete Jewish Bible

Praised be God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, compassionate Father, God of all encouragement and comfort;

Berean Standard Bible

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

American Standard Version

Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 1:3 opens Paul's second epistle to the church in Corinth with a profound doxology, immediately shifting the focus from the customary Greco-Roman greeting to an emphatic declaration of God's character and His redemptive work. This verse establishes the foundational truth that God, identified as the Father of Jesus Christ, is the ultimate and inexhaustible source of all compassion and solace, setting the theological stage for Paul's subsequent discussion of suffering, apostolic ministry, and divine comfort in affliction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the theological bedrock for the entire opening section of 2 Corinthians (chapters 1-7), particularly the immediate discussion of suffering and comfort in [2 Corinthians 1:3-11](/2_corinthians/1-3-11 "Paul's Thanksgiving for God's Comfort"). Following the standard Pauline salutation in [2 Corinthians 1:1-2](/2_corinthians/1-1-2 "Paul's Greeting to the Corinthian Church"), verse 3 launches directly into a blessing of God, a pattern seen in other Pauline epistles (e.g., [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "God's Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). This opening doxology is not merely a polite religious expression but a deliberate theological statement that frames Paul's ministry and the trials he has endured. It introduces the central theme of God's active presence and comfort in the midst of affliction, preparing the readers for Paul's deeply personal reflections on his sufferings and how God has used them for His glory and the church's benefit. The subsequent verses ([2 Corinthians 1:4-7](/2_corinthians/1-4-7 "Comfort to Comfort Others")) immediately expand on this theme, explaining how the comfort received from God enables believers to comfort others.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's second letter to the Corinthians was written during a tumultuous period in his relationship with the Corinthian church and his personal ministry. He had endured severe hardships, including physical suffering, opposition from false apostles, and deep emotional distress (cf. [2 Corinthians 1:8-10](/2_corinthians/1-8-10 "Paul's Deliverance from Affliction") and [2 Corinthians 11:23-28](/2_corinthians/11-23-28 "Paul's Sufferings for Christ")). The Corinthian church itself was grappling with internal divisions, moral issues, and challenges to Paul's apostolic authority. In a Greco-Roman world where patrons provided comfort and support, Paul presents God as the supreme and ultimate Patron, the true "Father of mercies" and "God of all comfort." This declaration would have resonated with a society familiar with the concept of divine or human benefactors, but it elevates the concept to an unparalleled level, pointing to God as the universal and inexhaustible source of compassion, contrasting sharply with the fickle or limited comfort offered by human systems or pagan deities.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes introduced in [2 Corinthians 1:3](/2_corinthians/1-3 "God, the Father of Mercies and God of All Comfort") are **Doxology and Praise**, emphasizing God's inherent worthiness of worship regardless of circumstances. It highlights **God's Character as a Source of Comfort and Mercy**, portraying Him as actively involved in the lives of His suffering people. This theme is foundational to understanding how God sustains His servants in ministry and how believers are equipped to face trials. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Trinitarian Identity**, identifying God as "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," underscoring the unique relationship within the Godhead and the centrality of Christ in God's redemptive plan. This Trinitarian emphasis ensures that the comfort offered is not generic but flows from the specific relationship between the Father and the Son, mediated through the Holy Spirit (often referred to as the "Comforter" or "Advocate" in [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit, the Advocate")). The verse thus sets the stage for a letter that will deeply explore the nature of Christian suffering, the authenticity of apostolic ministry, and the profound sufficiency of God's grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Greek, _eulogētós'_):** From the Greek word *eulogeō*, meaning "to speak well of" or "to praise." When applied to God, as it is here, it signifies that God is worthy of all praise and adoration, inherently good and deserving of blessing. It is not that humans *make* God blessed, but rather that they acknowledge and declare His blessedness, recognizing His supreme goodness and beneficent nature. This term is consistently used in the New Testament to describe praise directed towards the divine.
* **Mercies (Greek, _oiktirmós'_):** This term denotes deep compassion, pity, or tender mercy that is often moved to action. It conveys a profound emotional response of sympathy and sorrow for the distress of others, leading to a desire to alleviate their suffering. In the context of God, it speaks to His tenderheartedness and benevolent disposition towards humanity, particularly those in distress, reflecting His active compassion and willingness to provide relief and forgiveness. It is a quality intrinsically linked to His character as a loving Father.
* **Comfort (Greek, _paráklēsis'_):** This rich Greek word encompasses several meanings: "encouragement," "exhortation," "consolation," and "solace." It implies more than mere sympathy; it suggests an active presence and empowering support that strengthens one in times of difficulty. It is the same root word from which *Paraclete* (often translated "Comforter" or "Advocate") is derived, a title for the Holy Spirit. Thus, God's comfort is not passive but dynamic, involving divine intervention, strengthening, and encouragement that enables endurance and perseverance through trials.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed [be] God":** This opening phrase is a doxology, a declaration of praise and adoration directed towards God. It signifies that God is inherently worthy of all honor, glory, and worship. It is an acknowledgment of His supreme goodness and His benevolent character, setting a tone of thanksgiving and reverence even before the specific reasons for His blessedness are enumerated.
* **"even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ":** This clause identifies the specific God being blessed—the Father, uniquely defined by His relationship with Jesus Christ. This highlights the Trinitarian nature of God and the foundational truth of Christian theology: God is known and approached through His Son, Jesus Christ. It emphasizes His paternal relationship with Jesus, which in turn extends to believers who are adopted into His family through Christ.
* **"the Father of mercies":** This phrase further describes God's character, emphasizing His profound compassion and tenderheartedness. He is not just a source of mercy, but the very "Father" or origin of all mercies, indicating that mercy is an intrinsic and defining attribute of His being. This speaks to His active pity and benevolent disposition towards humanity, especially in their weakness and need.
* **"and the God of all comfort":** This final descriptor presents God as the ultimate and complete source of solace and strength. The word "all" (Greek, *pas*) signifies that His comfort is universal in scope, encompassing every conceivable form of distress, affliction, and sorrow. He is the one who provides encouragement, consolation, and active support in every trial, ensuring that no suffering is beyond the reach of His divine solace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Doxology** is immediately apparent in the opening "Blessed be God," establishing a tone of praise and worship. This is followed by **Apposition**, where God is further defined by a series of descriptive titles: "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," "the Father of mercies," and "the God of all comfort." These phrases are not merely redundant but build upon each other, progressively revealing deeper aspects of God's character. The use of **Parallelism** is also evident in the balanced structure "Father of mercies" and "God of all comfort," which emphasizes the interconnectedness of God's compassion and His ability to provide solace. The phrases also function as **Theological Epithets**, serving as concise, descriptive titles that encapsulate profound theological truths about God's nature and His relationship with humanity. The cumulative effect of these devices is to present a multifaceted and profoundly comforting portrait of God as the ultimate source of compassion and strength in every circumstance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on the character of God, establishing Him as the ultimate source of compassion and solace. It grounds all Christian experience, particularly suffering, in the unwavering nature of a benevolent God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people. The identification of God as "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" immediately places this understanding of God within a Christocentric framework, indicating that His mercies and comfort are revealed and mediated through His Son. This concept is vital for understanding how believers can endure trials, not through stoicism or self-reliance, but through a deep trust in God's active presence and His unfailing love. It sets the stage for the New Testament understanding that suffering, when experienced with God's comfort, can become a conduit for ministry to others.

* [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "God's Spiritual Blessings in Christ")
* [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "The Lord, Merciful and Gracious")
* [Isaiah 51:12](/isaiah/51-12 "God as the One Who Comforts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often characterized by pain, uncertainty, and personal hardship, 2 Corinthians 1:3 offers a powerful and enduring anchor for the soul. It redirects our gaze from the immediate circumstances of our suffering to the unchanging character of God. This verse reminds us that our God is not distant or indifferent; He is intimately acquainted with our sorrows, being the very "Father of mercies" and "God of all comfort." This means that no trial is too great, no grief too deep, and no anxiety too overwhelming for His comforting presence. When we face affliction, our first impulse should be to turn to Him, not just for deliverance, but for the profound solace that only He can provide. His comfort is not a fleeting emotion but an active, empowering presence that sustains us through the darkest valleys. Furthermore, the comfort we receive is not meant to be hoarded but is given so that we, in turn, can extend that same divine comfort to others who are hurting, transforming our personal suffering into a ministry of compassion, as Paul himself articulates in the very next verse.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does identifying God as "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" deepen your understanding of His character as the "Father of mercies" and "God of all comfort"?**
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God's comfort during times of personal suffering or distress?**
* **How might recognizing God as the "God of *all* comfort" change your approach to anxieties or challenges that seem overwhelming?**
* **Considering that God comforts us to comfort others (as implied by the subsequent verses), how can your own experiences of receiving comfort from God equip you to minister to those around you?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul begin this letter with a doxology of praise to God, especially given the difficulties he and the Corinthians faced?**

Answer: Paul's opening doxology is a deliberate theological statement that sets the tone and theme for the entire letter. Instead of immediately addressing the complex issues and personal attacks he faced, Paul first establishes God's unchanging character as the ultimate source of comfort and mercy. This serves several purposes: it grounds the subsequent discussion of suffering and ministry in God's faithfulness, models a posture of worship even in adversity, and reminds both Paul and the Corinthians that their hope and strength come solely from God. It emphasizes that God's comfort is not dependent on circumstances but is an inherent attribute of His being, available even amidst intense affliction. This strategic opening immediately directs the reader's attention to divine sufficiency rather than human problems.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The declaration of God as "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While God's compassion and solace are eternal attributes, they are most perfectly revealed and made accessible to humanity through His Son. Jesus, as the incarnate Word, fully embodies the Father's mercy, demonstrating it through His healing ministry, His forgiveness of sins, and His boundless compassion for the lost and suffering (e.g., [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). He is the one who invites all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him, promising comfort for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Come to Me, All Who Labor")). Furthermore, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross is the supreme act of God's mercy, providing the means for reconciliation and the ultimate comfort of salvation ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love")). Through His resurrection and ascension, Christ sends the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" or "Paraclete" ([John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), who indwells believers, actively applying God's comfort and strengthening them in every trial. Thus, the mercies and comfort of God are not abstract concepts but are concretely experienced in the life, death, resurrection, and ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ, making Him the very embodiment of God's compassionate presence in a suffering world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 1:3

¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Ephesians 1:3

¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Romans 15:5

¶ Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Romans 15:6

That ye may with one mind [and] one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalms 86:5

For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Micah 7:18

Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

Ephesians 1:17

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: