2 Corinthians 1:3-7

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of being praised – the Father of mercies and a God of all encouragement, the one who encourages us upon all of our persecution in order that we are powerful enough to encourage the ones in all persecution through the encouragement that we ourselves are being encouraged by God.  Because just as the sufferings of Christ exist in abundance in us, in this same way through Christ even our encouragement exists in abundance.  And if we are being afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation.  If we are being encouraged, it is for your comfort that is at work in the patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer.  And our hope for you all is reliable, having known that as you all are partners of the suffering in the same you all are partners of encouragement.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul speaks at the beginning of this letter of encouragement.  However, notice Paul’s focus.  Paul doesn’t want encouragement for his own sake.  God’s blessings upon him are not for his own benefit.  Paul is encouraged by God so that he can encourage other people.  Paul is inherently outwardly focused.  Not that Paul doesn’t appreciate and value the encouragement that God gives to him.  Rather, Paul welcomes God’s encouragement and his default position is to reflect that encouragement into the world.

Where is your focus?  Why is it easy to focus on ourselves?  Why is it important to focus on others?  What role does encouragement play in your life?

Second Thought:

In the middle of this passage we turn once more to a common theme in the New Testament.  As Christ suffered, we should expect to suffer.  It’s just a part of being a follower of Christ.  If the world hated Jesus Christ, they will hate us, too.  However, we need not focus on the suffering.  Christ was encouraged in the midst of suffering.  So will we be encouraged!  Christ was raised after death, so will we be raised!  Now there is reason to be encouraged!

Do you embrace suffering for the sake of Christ?  How does embracing suffering actually help us feel hope to our future resurrection as Christ was raised?  How does this demonstrate that hope wins out over suffering?

Third Thought:

Paul comes back to the idea of assurance.  He is assured because his disciples encounter suffering.  This is such an awesome perspective, because the world thinks that if we suffer something is wrong.  Paul knows that suffering is normal.  So if his disciples are suffering, then it actually means all is well!  Of course, Paul is not being masochistic here.  He’s not encouraging us to put ourselves in positions of suffering.  Suffering will come whether we invite it or not.  When suffering comes, we should instead focus on being encouraged.

Which is it easier for you to focus upon, suffering or encouragement?  Are there times in your life where one is easier than the other?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11