Ministry - 2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians is a deep and personal letter from Paul to the church in Corinth, a church that Paul started many years ago. Paul's first letter was a letter of correction and discipline because the church had drifted and lost its way. For what we read, it seems as if the letter was received well...but sometimes with discipline, there can come a bit of revolt or reaction. In 2 Corinthians, we learn there are some self-established leaders in the church now that are questions Paul's authority, and this second letter is addressing that, and Paul was defending his authority and his ministry. 

Why is this critical and important? Well, that's clear for me, I am a minister and pastor in a local church...but what if you are not a pastor? Well, the Biblical definition of “minister” is simply anyone who is a follower of Christ. So, if you are a Christian, you are a minister, God’s fellow worker. Therefore, that is you, and that is me. This book will be powerful to walk through and has so much to offer, here go. 

Right out of the gate, starting in verse 3 and continuing through 11, we see this powerful trio: Comfort, Hardship, Reliance. Comfort, Hardship, Reliance. 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Praise God, the one who is the Father of compassion and all comfort. We see and are guided to where all our comfort and compassion comes from. God is the author! But watch this:

“who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we receive from God.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul turns this on its head a bit and delivers the pay it forward message. God is the author of comfort, and He provides it to us, and He also then desires and requires us to be the messenger of comfort to others. If we rewind and think about all we read in 1 Corinthians, and even Romans the two previous books Paul authored, we see this theme that every gift we receive is to be used for others, not ourselves. So, even as we are comforted, this is to be used for others. 

“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 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. 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.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:5-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul here connects sufferings and comfort. The cycle of life, hardship, and sufferings is what is promised here on earth, and in ministry (following Jesus), there is nothing safe and comfortable about walking with God. We share in Christ sufferings, but we also are comforted by Christ. Get this; if we are distressed, it is for your comfort. Whoa, don’t miss that. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort! This comfort we read will produce patient endurance. Wow, so good. 

Now, this is the key and critical close to the thought; remember Comfort, Hardship, Reliance. 

In this life, we will suffer; we will walk through hardship! Christ will comfort, and use us as comforters as well, but why? Why this side of heaven do we have pain, suffering and challenges...have you ever asked that question or wondered? I have and deal with this a lot. 

“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.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The sentence of death! How does that compare to what you are walking through and asking why? Our suffering and challenges can be rough, but a sentence of death? That is what Paul felt and experienced, and we can feel that way sometimes as well. We walk through sufferings and challenges so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 

Comfort, Hardship, Reliance. I am walking away from today's reading with a fresh and renewed focus on my reliance not being self-reliant, but dependence on Christ. Lord, remind us when we are walking thought the suffering and hardship that you are our great comforter, and you are where our help, peace, and reliance comes from. Also, Lord, remind us that we are also a gift of comfort to others, use us to be a comfort blessing to those around us who need to be comforted.