Consolation and explanation of Paul’s condition: (chap.1):
Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about the consolation in the midst of suffering and also explains his recent experiences. Apostle Paul was preparing to come to Corinth for his 3rd visit from Macedonia. Just before his visit, he sends this letter.
Greetings and Salutations: (1:1-2)
Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus in the face of some of Corinthian false teachers looking down Paul. The apostle was given to him by God only (Acts. 22:14). Paul had a great respect for Timothy and loved him with fatherly love. He greets the Corinthians along with Timothy. Further he calls the believers of Corinth as saints which is a special title given to them. We can say saints are those who overcome the day to day persecutions without yielding and they are set apart by God for service to Him.
In (1:2) he speaks of grace and peace. Grace refers to the love of God in action with peace its result. They both are displayed in Jesus’ ministry.
Consolation in the midst of persecutions: (1:3-11):
- Christ comfort flows through us: (1:3-5): Paul opens this letter by praising the God who has shown so much mercy and comfort to Paul. The word all comfort in this passage is the Greek word ‘paraklesis.’ The idea behind this word for comfort in the New Testament is always more than soothing sympathy. It has the idea of strengthening, of helping, of making strong. One great purpose of God in comforting us is so that we can bring comfort to others. God’s comfort can be given and received through others. Being comforted means receiving strength, encouragement and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us. If we are feeling overwhelmed by suffering, allow God to comfort. Every trial and persecution will make us strong and mould us to comfort other people who are going through similar situations.
Often, we never receive the comfort God wants to give us, because He wants to give it to us through another person. Pride often keeps us from revealing our needs to others, so we never receive the comfort God would give us through them.
Ex: John Knox just before his death, rose out of his bed; and being asked wherefore, being so sick, he would offer to rise? He answered, that he had sweet meditations of the resurrection of Jesus Christ that night, and now he would go into the pulpit, and impart to others the comforts that he felt in his soul.” (Trapp)
- Paul’s sufferings brought God’s comfort: (1:6-7): Paul, Silas, Timothy and other companions suffered greatly for the sake of the Gospel, but in every aspect they received God’s comfort. The comfort they received in the midst of the sufferings have actually encouraged the Corinthian believers. Just as God comforted Paul and his companions, God would also comfort Corinthian believers when they suffer for the faith. This has come as an open promise to God’s soldiers.
- Paul’s sufferings have brought glory to God.: (1:8-11):
Paul had a life filled with suffering. In his 3-missionary journeys he had undergone much suffering. In (11:23-28) we can see: stripes, prisons, beaten, shipwrecked, perils robbers, perils of his own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Many times he felt that he was going to die and he could do nothing except just to rely on God. This is a perfect lesson for all the believers. When we depend upon God, we drive away all our problems to God. Jesus said: “Cast all your burden upon Jesus because He cares for you.”