Slices
Prepare
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3. Thank God for the ways in which you’ve experienced his compassionate comfort. Surrender to him those ways in which you need it today.
Bible passage
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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 receive 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.
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Explore
Paul begins by talking about how God brings effective comfort in the midst of difficulty. How can you testify to this? Such comfort also impacts others: as we receive from our Father, we’re then enabled to share what we’ve received with others. Paul insists that’s happened to the Corinthians: as Paul and his companions have been comforted by God, that has overflowed into the Corinthians being strengthened. A recent comfort had been Titus’ report on how they’d responded to his letter (see 2 Corinthians 7:5-7).
Their intense struggles in the province of Asia had shaken Paul and his team (v 8). A city-wide riot in Ephesus, provoked by the silversmiths, left them fearing for their lives (see Acts 19:23–41). Plots against Paul’s life were now emerging (see Acts 20:3). While in the midst of these threats, they’d been unable to see a way through, like a ship so weighed down it was about to sink, but seeing God’s deliverance taught them to rely on his resurrection power (v 9). Where are you seeing God’s resurrection power currently? God’s work and the Corinthians’ prayers had enabled Paul’s team to have greater confidence for the future.
Respond
Reflect on those known to you who are struggling or suffering at the moment. How might God want to empower you to bring his comfort and strength to them?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 33,34; Psalms 75,76
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Mission Partner LSET in Manchester who face a year of change, saying goodbye to trustees and welcoming new ones. Pray that they may walk faithfully as God leads them and will see God do new and exciting things in Newton Heath and beyond.
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