Robertson Word Pictures - 2 Corinthians 1:3 - 1:3

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Robertson Word Pictures - 2 Corinthians 1:3 - 1:3


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Blessed (eulogētos). From old verb eulogeō, to speak well of, but late verbal in lxx and Philo. Used of men in Gen 24:31, but only of God in N.T. as in Luk 1:68 and chiefly in Paul (2Co 11:31; Rom 1:25). Paul has no thanksgiving or prayer as in 1Co 1:4-9, but he finds his basis for gratitude in God, not in them.

The God and Father (ho theos kai patēr). So rightly, only one article with both substantives as in 2Pe 1:1. Paul gives the deity of Jesus Christ as our Lord (Kuriou), but he does not hesitate to use the language here as it occurs. See 1Pe 1:3; Eph 1:3 where the language is identical with that here.

The father of mercies (ho patēr tōn oiktirmōn) and God of all comfort (kai theos pasēs paraklēseōs). Paul adds an item to each word. He is the compassionate Father characterized by mercies (oiktirmōn, old word from oikteirō, to pity, and here in plural, emotions and acts of pity). He is the God of all comfort (paraklēseōs, old word from parakaleō, to call to one’s side, common with Paul). Paul has already used it of God who gave eternal comfort (2Th 2:16). The English word comfort is from the Latin confortis (brave together). The word used by Jesus of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter or Paraklete is this very word (Joh 14:16; Joh 16:7). Paul makes rich use of the verb parakaleō and the substantive paraklēsis in this passage (2Co 1:3-7). He urges all sorrowing and troubled hearts to find strength in God.