SUMMARY
In a blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More that introduces the letter’s central themes, PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More invokes God’s comforting presence amid suffering—a presence that not only consoles him, but at the same time consoles others through him with the same comfort.
ANALYSIS
After greeting his readers, Paul usually begins his letters with a thanksgiving that shows his gratitude for them (see, e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:4). He begins 2 Corinthians, however, with the form of a Jewish blessing that summons God’s deliverance from danger precisely as one is praising God.
As he blesses “the God and Father of our Lord JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More Christ,” Paul names two attributes of God that have biblical allusions that will play an important role in the letter (2 Corinthians 1:3). The first, “compassion” (or “mercies” as the Greek word is often translated), alludes to God’s responses to MosesProphet who led Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land and received the law at Sinai. More as he intercedes for the people after they have constructed the golden calf as an idolIdolatry is the worship of something other than the true God. An idol may be a cult image, an idea, or an object made of wood or stone. Ome of the Ten Commandments specifically prohibits the worship of graven images or idols; this concern is... More to worship (Exodus 33:19 and Exodus 34:6). The second, “consolation,” evokes God’s comforting response and call to an oppressed and suffering people, especially in IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century BCE (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. More (e.g., Isaiah 40:1), but also in the psalms and wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... More literature.
By way of this blessing, Paul enacts for his readers the way God’s presence might be invoked and, through that invocation, embodied in our interactions with one another. Indeed, Paul’s various appeals to the Corinthians throughout the letter will all be grounded in the very divine presence invoked in this introductory blessing—from his self-defense and plea for reconciliation (chapters 1-7) to his request for gifts for Jerusalem (chapter 8 and 9) and his final critique of his opponents and call for changed behavior among the Corinthians (chapters 10-13).
RELATED PASSAGES
Exodus 33:12-23 — Moses’ Intercession
Exodus 34:1-9 — God’s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy
Deuteronomy 32:36-38 — The Song of Moses
2 Samuel 24:10-17 — Judgment on David’s Sin
1 Kings 8:22-53 – Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
Isaiah 40:1-5 – God’s People Are Comforted
Isaiah 61:1-4 – The Good News of Deliverance
Isaiah 66:10-13 – As a Mother Comforts Her Child
NehemiahThe governor of Jerusalem who rebuilt the city walls after the exile. More 9:1-37 – A National Confession
Proverbs 8:1-11 – The Gifts of Wisdom
PsalmA psalm is a song of praise. In the Old Testament 150 psalms comprise the psalter, although some of the psalms are laments and thanksgivings. In the New Testament early Christians gathered to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. More 86:1-17 – Prayer for Help Against Enemies
Psalm 103:1-22 – Thanksgiving for God’s Steadfast LoveThe steadfast love (hesed) of God is the assurance of God's loving kindness, faithfulness, and mercy. This assurance rings throughout the Old Testament, and is affirmed more than 120 times in the Psalms. In some hymns of praise the response of the people was likely... More and Compassion
Sirach 2:6-18 – God’s Compassion and MercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God's mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. More, and the Fear of the Lord