2026-10-13

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 ESV “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.”

  1. Paul first, affirms that God comforts the downcast. When we are downcast, depressed, and distressed, let us even then, especially then, take heart in knowing that God comforts the downcast. In the beginning of 2 Corinthians, Paul’s calls God the Father of Mercies and the God of all comfort (1:3).
  2. God comforted Paul by the coming of Titus. God does his work through the community of believers, though he sent angels to minister to Christ in his distress in the garden of Gethsemane, and though Angels are indeed sent as ministering spirits to serve those who are to inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14), God primarily works comfort through fellow believers. This is an exhortation both to those who are afflicted and to fellow brethren who ought to mourn with those who mourn. When afflicted, we should accept God’s comfort that he communicates to us through fellow believers, just as he comforted Paul through the coming of Titus. And when a fellow brother or sister is in distress because of various matters, we should make an effort to comfort them as God helps us. This is sometimes difficult and we are often at a loss of what to say, but we ought to offer comfort however we can, and trust that God can still use our imperfect words to comfort one who is troubled and afflicted. We should be willing to do poorly what we hope one day to be able to do well.
  3. Titus not only comforted Paul by his coming but with the comforts he himself had received from the Corinthians. In the first chapter of Corinthians, Paul says that we are comforted in our affliction so that we can be able to comfort those who are likewise afflicted, with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God (verse 4). We are comforted to the end that we comfort others, and when we comfort others, it makes them able to comfort others too. We should therefore not neglect the habit of comforting one another, because it serves our fellow believers, and it builds the Church.

Prayer: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, thank you for comforting us, and for giving us peace that surpasses all understanding. With the same comfort that we receive from you, whether through the Scriptures, through the ministry of angels, and through fellow brethren, may we learn to and comfort each other, for your glory, and for the building up of the body of Christ. Amen.