Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Repetitive words in scripture should grab our attention. So, when I came across this passage in 2 Corinthians, which repeats the word “comfort” no fewer than five times in these two verses, it felt like I was being bombarded. 

The repeated Greek word parakaleo, used here, originates from two root words: para (meaning nearby or alongside) and kaleo (meaning to call). Its literal meaning, “to call someone to your side,” is often used to mean “to encourage, comfort, console, or urge.” 

In the broader Greek world, this word carried a deeper meaning than our English word “comfort.” It could mean both comforting someone in their grief and empowering them to face what’s ahead. The key is that this isn’t distant sympathy but close, personal support. 

We all want to be comforted during tough times, don’t we? Merriam-Webster describes comfort as “easing grief or trouble and giving strength and hope to.” Naturally, the specific ways we find comfort differ from person to person. My daughter, who had her fourth ACL reconstruction on the same knee last week, was comforted by a steady stream of college friends visiting our Airbnb, where she was staying for recovery. The social interaction was like medicine for her soul, boosting her spirits hour after hour. Conversely, if I were recovering from surgery, social interactions would feel stressful. For me, comfort would come from a dropped-off meal and some solitude. 

This verse starts with a promise of supernatural comfort. One of the most common words I hear from people of faith in unthinkable situations is “supernatural peace.” There is still heartache, grief, and anxious thoughts, but surrounding those feelings is a peace and comfort given by the God of compassion. 

Notice this verse doesn’t say, “God comforts us by taking away our troubles.” Instead, He comforts us in our troubles.  There is a reason for this: it’s so we can, in turn, comfort others. 

There is something uniquely healing when someone who has experienced our specific pain offers encouragement, presence, empathy, and wisdom. The subtle acknowledgment that they truly understand what we are going through creates a connection of comfort and camaraderie, reminding us we’re not alone. 

We are soothed because we are seen. Remarkably, in our healing, we become those who can comfort others. The trials and tribulations are not erased but are used to help others. Thus, a large chain reaction is formed. I wanted the image I created to reflect this redeeming truth offered in this verse. God comforts us, so we in turn comfort another, who in turn comforts another… and it continues endlessly. 

Finally, it is no coincidence that this same word is closely related to the name Jesus later gives the Holy Spirit, Paraklētos, meaning “the one called alongside.” The Holy Spirit, who fills us, teaches us, encourages us, and guides us, is the great comforter! Be comforted today, knowing you are held in his mighty goodness and love.