2 Corinthians 1:3-11

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

[3] Blessed  be God,  even  the Father  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the Father  of mercies,  and  the God  of all  comfort;  [4] Who  comforteth  in  all  tribulation,  that  may be able  to comfort  them which are in  any  trouble,  by  the comfort  wherewith  ourselves  are comforted  of  God.  [5] For  as  the sufferings  of Christ  abound  in  so  consolation  also  aboundeth  by  Christ.  [6] And  whether  we be afflicted,  it is for  consolation  and  salvation,  which  is effectual  in  the enduring  of the same  sufferings  which  also  suffer:  or whether  we be comforted,  it is for  consolation  and  salvation.  [7] And  hope  of  is stedfast,  knowing,  that  partakers  of the sufferings,  so  shall ye be also  of the consolation.  [8] For  we would  not,  brethren,  ignorant  of  trouble  which  came  in  Asia,  that  we were pressed  out  of measure,  above  strength,  insomuch  despaired  even  of life:  [9] But  we had  the sentence  of death  in  ourselves,  trust  in  ourselves,  but  in  God  which  raiseth  the dead:  [10] Who  delivered  from  so great  a death,  and  doth deliver:  in  whom  we trust  that  yet  deliver  [11] also  helping together  by prayer  for  that  for the gift  bestowed upon  by  the means of many  persons  thanks may be  given  by  many 

What does 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In this pericope Paul gave thanks to God for the comfort ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-7) and deliverance ( 2 Corinthians 1:8-11) that he had experienced recently. He wanted to enable his readers to appreciate what he as an apostle had endured for Christ and the super-abounding comfort God supplies to compensate for all afflictions suffered for His sake.
"It [1] is no mere amiable preamble intended only to cushion the sterner matters which the Apostle is shortly to broach. On the contrary, it is very much of a piece with the major theme of the opening portion of this epistle, namely, Paul"s vindication of his own integrity." [2]
Paul"s main concern in this section was that his readers learn the values of his experiences, not just the facts concerning what had happened to him. Consequently he dealt with these first. He shared the effects of his experiences ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-7), and then told them of one experience ( 2 Corinthians 1:8-11).
Paul"s almost invariable practice of following salutation with thanksgiving in his epistles was a common feature of secular letters in his day. [3] Compared with his other epistles, however, there is some difference in this thanksgiving.
"St. Paul usually thanks God for some grace bestowed on those whom he addresses, and hence his omission of the Thanksgiving in the stern letter to the Galatians; here and in 1 Timothy 1:12 he gives thanks for benefits bestowed on himself. But his readers are not forgotten ( 2 Corinthians 1:6-7); it is largely on their account that he is so thankful." [2]