3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of mercies and God of all comfort , 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in [1]any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God . 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are [2]ours in abundance , so also our comfort is abundant through Christ . 6 But if we are afflicted , it is for your comfort and salvation ; or if we are comforted , it is for your comfort , which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer ;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded , knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings , so also you are sharers of our comfort . 8 For we do not want you to be unaware , brethren , of our affliction which came to us in [3] Asia , that we were burdened excessively e , beyond our strength , so that we despaired even of life ; 9 [4]indeed , we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves , but in God who raises the dead ; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death , and will deliver us, [5]He on whom we have set our hope . And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers , so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many .
12 For our [6]proud confidence is this : the testimony of our conscience , that in holiness and godly sincerity , not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God , we have conducted ourselves in the world , and especially toward you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:3-12
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
(Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-11)
We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Saviour who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others. He sends comforts enough to support such as simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God, who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were not in vain; nor shall any be ashamed who trust in the Lord. Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under obligation to trust in God for time to come. And it is our duty, not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received. Thus both trials and mercies will end in good to ourselves and others.
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:12-14
(Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-14)
Though, as a sinner, the apostle could only rejoice and glory in Christ Jesus, yet, as a believer, he might rejoice and glory in being really what he professed. Conscience witnesses concerning the steady course and tenor of the life. Thereby we may judge ourselves, and not by this or by that single act. Our conversation will be well ordered, when we live and act under such a gracious principle in the heart. Having this, we may leave our characters in the Lord's hands, but using proper means to clear them, when the credit of the gospel, or our usefulness, calls for it.