2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
Who
G3588
τοῦ
Who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρακαλούμεθα
are comforted
G3870
παρακαλούμεθα
are comforted
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
2 of 26
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
Who
G3588
τοῦ
Who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τοῦ
Who
G3588
τοῦ
Who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρακαλούμεθα
are comforted
G3870
παρακαλούμεθα
are comforted
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
13 of 26
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
τοῦ
Who
G3588
τοῦ
Who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
18 of 26
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
Who
G3588
τοῦ
Who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἧς
wherewith
G3739
ἧς
wherewith
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
21 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παρακαλούμεθα
are comforted
G3870
παρακαλούμεθα
are comforted
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
22 of 26
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
αὐτοὶ
ourselves
G846
αὐτοὶ
ourselves
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
24 of 26
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 5:11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.Isaiah 51:12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;Isaiah 40:1Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.Psalms 32:7Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.John 14:16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;Hebrews 12:12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;John 14:18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.Isaiah 12:1And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.Isaiah 52:9Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.Psalms 32:5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Historical Context
Written around AD 55-56 from Macedonia after Paul's 'painful visit' to Corinth (2:1). The Corinthian church faced challenges to Paul's apostolic authority from 'super-apostles' (11:5) who valued eloquence over cruciform ministry. Paul writes to defend his ministry, explain his changed travel plans, and restore relationship with this fractious congregation.
Questions for Reflection
- What affliction has God comforted me through that now qualifies me to comfort someone else?
- Am I hoarding God's comfort without channeling it outward to those suffering similarly?
- How can my community become 'wounded healers' rather than pretending to have it together?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation (ὁ παρακαλῶν ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ θλίψει)—Present participle parakalōn shows continuous action: God is always-comforting. Thlipsis (θλίψις, "pressure/crushing") evokes grapes in a winepress—intense suffering, not mere discomfort.
That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble—the teleology of suffering: hina dynametha parakalein (ἵνα δυνώμεθα παρακαλεῖν, "that we might be able to comfort"). God's comfort isn't terminal (ending with us) but instrumental (flowing through us). Same comfort, same source (God), new recipients.