God's Comfort and Deliverance in Affliction
2 Corinthians 1:1-11
2Cor.1.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αποστολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- θεληματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Τιμοθεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εκκλησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ουση: VERB,pres,ptc,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Κορινθω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αγιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ουσιν: PART,pres,act,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ολη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- Αχαια·: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Colossians 1:1 (verbal): Shares almost identical opening wording: 'Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,'—same co-author formula and divine will language.
- Ephesians 1:1 (verbal): Uses the same apostolic self-designation 'Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God' and a comparable salutatory address to the saints.
- 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 (structural): Also addresses 'the church of God that is in Corinth' and follows the Pauline greeting pattern to a Corinthian congregation (continuity of addressee and ecclesial language).
- Philippians 1:1 (structural): Begins with a paired authorship 'Paul and Timothy' and a church-address greeting—parallels the joint-sender formula and epistolary salutation structure.
- Romans 1:1 (thematic): Paul's claim to apostolic authority grounded in God's will/calling echoes the theological basis for his commission found in 2 Cor 1:1 (apostle by the will of God).
Alternative generated candidates
- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God at Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.
2Cor.1.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 1:7 (verbal): Uses the identical benediction 'grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,' the same Pauline greeting formula.
- 1 Corinthians 1:3 (verbal): Repeats the exact opening blessing 'grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,' paralleling 2 Cor 1:2 word for word.
- Galatians 1:3 (verbal): Contains the same pair 'grace and peace' granted 'from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,' reflecting the standardized Pauline salutation.
- Ephesians 1:2 (verbal): Begins with the familiar greeting 'grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,' a consistent opening across Paul's epistles.
- Philippians 1:2 (verbal): Employs the same benedictory formula 'grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,' confirming the common Pauline liturgical greeting.
Alternative generated candidates
- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Cor.1.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ευλογητος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- οικτιρμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Peter 1:3 (verbal): Nearly identical opening doxology—'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ'—and the following reference to God's mercy echoes 2 Cor 1:3's characterization of God as merciful.
- Romans 15:5 (verbal): Uses the same key noun παρακλήσεως/παρακλήσεως ('consolation/encouragement')—'the God of patience and consolation'—paralleling 2 Cor's 'God of all comfort.'
- Ephesians 2:4 (verbal): Describes God as 'rich in mercy' (πλούσιος ἐν οἰκτιρμοῖς), echoing 2 Cor's title 'Father of mercies' (πατήρ τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν) and the emphasis on divine compassion.
- Lamentations 3:22–23 (thematic): Affirms the persistent mercy of God—'the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end'—providing Old Testament background for calling God 'Father of mercies.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,
2Cor.1.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παρακαλων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- επι: PREP
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- θλιψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δυνασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- παρακαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- θλιψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- παρακαλουμεθα: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- υπο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 1:3 (structural): Immediate context — introduces God as 'Father of mercies and God of all comfort,' providing the foundation for v.4's claim that God comforts us.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 (verbal): Same ministry pattern: God comforts Paul, and through that comfort Paul is able to comfort others; language of comfort and encouragement is parallel.
- Romans 15:5 (thematic): Invokes God's gift of endurance and encouragement so believers may 'live in harmony' and 'accept one another,' echoing the idea of God enabling mutual consolation.
- Isaiah 40:1 (allusion): Prophetic summons 'Comfort, comfort my people' provides the Old Testament background for the motif of divine consolation that Paul applies to believers' suffering.
Alternative generated candidates
- who comforts us in every affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- who comforts us in every affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2Cor.1.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- καθως: CONJ
- περισσευει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- παθηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- ουτως: ADV
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- περισσευει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- παρακλησις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Philippians 3:10 (thematic): Paul desires to know Christ and the 'fellowship of his sufferings' — the idea of sharing in Christ's sufferings parallels 'the sufferings of Christ abounding in us.'
- Colossians 1:24 (verbal): Paul speaks of rejoicing in his sufferings and 'filling up what is lacking' of Christ's afflictions for the church, closely paralleling the notion of Christ's sufferings continuing in believers.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 (structural): Same epistolary argument: Paul describes affliction and 'always carrying in the body the death of Jesus' so that Christ's life may be manifested — echoing sufferings of Christ in us and corresponding consolation/life through him.
- 1 Peter 4:13 (thematic): Believers are urged to rejoice insofar as they share Christ's sufferings, that they may also rejoice at his revelation — linking present suffering with future consolation/glory.
- Romans 8:17-18 (thematic): Sufferings are presented as participation in Christ leading to shared glory; present sufferings are contrasted with future consolation/glory, paralleling the connection between Christ's sufferings and believers' consolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ does our comfort overflow.
- For as the sufferings of Christ overflow for us, so also through Christ does our consolation overflow.
2Cor.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειτε: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- θλιβομεθα: VERB,pres,pass,ind,1,pl
- υπερ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- σωτηριας·ειτε: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- παρακαλουμεθα: VERB,pres,pass,ind,1,pl
- υπερ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ενεργουμενης: PART,pres,mid-pass,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- υπομονη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- παθηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- πασχομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 (verbal): Uses the same idea and language of divine comfort (paraklēsis): God comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others—directly parallels the purpose of suffering and consolation.
- 2 Corinthians 1:7 (structural): Closely linked immediate context: affliction and consolation are shared reciprocally—'as you share in our sufferings, so also in our consolation' mirrors 1:6's mutuality of suffering and comfort.
- Philippians 1:12-14 (thematic): Paul's sufferings (imprisonment) produce advance of the gospel and encourage others to speak boldly—similar theme that the apostle's affliction brings benefit/encouragement and salvation for others.
- Romans 15:4 (thematic): Speaks of endurance and the encouragement (paraklēsis) provided by Scripture leading to hope—connects the formula of endurance, encouragement/comfort, and resultant hope/salvation present in 2 Cor 1:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement and salvation. This consolation works in the patient enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer.
- And if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you endurance of the same sufferings that we also endure.
2Cor.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ελπις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- βεβαια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- υπερ: PREP
- υμων·ειδοτες: PRON,gen,pl,2 + PART,perf,act,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- κοινωνοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- παθηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ουτως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Cor 1:5 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language: as we share in Christ's sufferings, so we share abundantly in consolation—direct verbal and conceptual parallel within the same context.
- 2 Cor 1:4 (verbal): Speaks of God comforting us in all our affliction so that we may comfort others with the same comfort—connects the idea of received consolation being passed on to fellow sufferers.
- Philippians 3:10 (verbal): Paul speaks of the 'fellowship (κοινωνία) of his sufferings,' using the same imagery of participation in Christ's sufferings that underlies 2 Cor 1:7.
- Romans 8:17 (thematic): Affirms that believers are heirs with Christ and share in his sufferings and thus in his future glory—thematises shared suffering and shared resulting vindication/comfort.
- 1 Peter 4:13 (thematic): Calls believers to rejoice insofar as they share Christ's sufferings, with the expectation of future joy—parallels the link between present suffering and promised consolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Our hope for you remains firm, because we know that as you are sharers in the sufferings, so also you are sharers in the consolation.
- For our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you are sharers in the sufferings, so also you are sharers in the comfort.
2Cor.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- θελομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- αγνοειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- υπερ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- θλιψεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γενομενης: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- Ασια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- καθ᾽υπερβολην: ADV
- υπερ: PREP
- δυναμιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εβαρηθημεν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,pl
- ωστε: CONJ
- εξαπορηθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ζην·: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Acts 20:19 (thematic): Paul recalls serving with tears and facing trials in Ephesus/Asia; connects to 2 Cor 1:8's report of severe affliction experienced in Asia.
- 2 Corinthians 1:9 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same account—explains that they had received a sentence of death, which explains the despair of life mentioned in v.8.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (verbal): Uses similar language about being pressed, persecuted, and despairing yet not destroyed—echoes the theme of overwhelming affliction and God's sustaining presence.
- Philippians 1:29-30 (thematic): Frames Christian life as participation in suffering and struggle on behalf of the gospel, paralleling Paul’s description of burdens endured for Christ.
- Romans 8:35-39 (thematic): Speaks of tribulation and suffering in the believer’s life and the ultimate assurance that nothing can separate from Christ’s love—theological parallel to interpreting affliction within God’s purposes.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction that came upon us in Asia: we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.
- For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction that came upon us in Asia: we were excessively burdened, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.
2Cor.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- εν: PREP
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αποκριμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εσχηκαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- πεποιθοτες: PART,perf,act,nom,pl,m
- ωμεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- εφ᾽εαυτοις: PREP+PRON,dat,pl,m
- αλλ᾽επι: CONJ+PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- εγειροντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- νεκρους·: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 4:17 (verbal): Uses the same language of God as one who gives life to the dead (’who quickeneth the dead’), echoing the claim that trust is placed in God who raises the dead.
- Romans 8:11 (thematic): Speaks of the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and will give life to believers’ mortal bodies, paralleling trust in God’s power to raise the dead rather than in ourselves.
- John 11:25 (thematic): Jesus’ declaration 'I am the resurrection and the life' undergirds the same confidence in God’s power to overcome death implied in 2 Corinthians 1:9.
- Hebrews 11:19 (allusion): Describes Abraham’s faith that God could raise Isaac from the dead — an example of trusting God’s power over death, analogous to Paul’s appeal to trust in God who raises the dead.
Alternative generated candidates
- Indeed we felt that the sentence of death had been passed upon us, that we would no longer rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
- Indeed, we felt within ourselves the sentence of death, that we would not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead,
2Cor.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- τηλικουτου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ερρυσατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- ρυσεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ηλπικαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ετι: ADV
- ρυσεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 116:8 (verbal): Explicit language of being delivered from death—'Thou hast delivered my soul from death' closely parallels Paul's 'delivered us from so great a death.'
- Psalm 18:2 (verbal): God as rescuer/deliverer ('my rock... my deliverer') echoes Paul's trust in God's past and future deliverance.
- Psalm 34:19 (thematic): Theme of the righteous experiencing many afflictions but God delivering them ('the LORD delivereth him out of them all') parallels Paul's experience of rescue from deadly peril.
- 2 Timothy 4:18 (verbal): Paul's later confidence that 'the Lord will deliver me from every evil work' uses similar assurance-language about God's present and future rescuing action.
- Acts 27:23-24 (structural): An angelic promise to Paul that he and those with him will be preserved from shipwreck/death parallels the situational background and God's promise of deliverance in 2 Cor 1:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- He delivered us from so great a peril of death, and he will deliver; on him we have set our hope that he will still deliver us,
- who delivered us and continues to deliver us; in whom we have set our hope that he will still deliver us,
2Cor.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συνυπουργουντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- υπερ: PREP
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δεησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- εκ: PREP
- πολλων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- προσωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- χαρισμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- δια: PREP
- πολλων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ευχαριστηθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Philippians 1:19 (verbal): Paul attributes his deliverance/benefit to the prayers of the recipients (’through your prayer and the help of the Spirit’), paralleling 2 Cor 1:11’s emphasis on the Corinthians’ prayers producing God’s gracious outcome for him.
- Romans 15:30-32 (verbal): Paul urges believers to ‘strive together with me in your prayers’ for his mission and safety, echoing the cooperative intercession language of 2 Cor 1:11.
- Acts 12:5 (thematic): The church’s earnest prayer for Peter while he was imprisoned and the subsequent deliverance illustrate the theme that communal prayer on someone’s behalf can bring about God’s rescue/blessing, as 2 Cor 1:11 implies.
- Colossians 4:3-4 (thematic): Paul requests prayer that God would open a door for the word and for boldness—another instance of the apostles asking for communal intercession to secure God’s favor for their ministry, similar to 2 Cor 1:11.
- Ephesians 6:19-20 (thematic): Paul asks others to pray for him to speak boldly and make known the gospel; like 2 Cor 1:11, this passage highlights intercessory support from fellow believers as essential to God’s work on the apostle’s behalf.
Alternative generated candidates
- and you are assisting us by means of your prayers. Many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many.
- you also joining with us in prayer—so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in every affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces endurance in the same sufferings that we also suffer. And our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, so also you share in the comfort.
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction that befell us in Asia—to such a degree that we were utterly weighed down beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.
Indeed, we felt within ourselves the sentence of death, that we would not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead,
who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and does deliver; in him we have set our hope that he will yet deliver us,
and you also are helping us by prayer. Many persons have, by their prayers on our behalf, contributed to the gift granted to us through the favor shown us by many.