We Grow Best Together (9AM)

Following the custom of his time, Paul includes a thanksgiving after his opening greeting. This thanksgiving is focused not upon some praiseworthy characteristic of the readers, but rather upon the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who had comforted Paul in all his troubles. The comfort he received was sometimes deliverance from his afflictions or anxiety and at other times encouragement in the midst of them. Here Paul speaks of comfort as encouragement and strengthening grace in the midst of troubles. He says that we are comforted so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from our Father God.

Paul encourages others by pointing out that while his ministry may have been attended by many troubles it made it possible for them to share in God’s comfort.