The Father has many names & nicknames throughout the entirety of the Bible.  We’re going to take a look at two of them in this 4th look into 2 Corinthians 1. This page will pick up right where we left off in Peace – 2 Corinthians 1 Part 3.

Personally, I tend to identify the Lord God Almighty as “God the Father.” That’s the norm for me when it comes to writing different things. In prayer or in thought (sometimes in words also,) I find myself taking full advantage of the outstanding relationship that we’re all invited to partake in, and just simply call him “the Father.” You’ll catch me doing that all the time if you’ve been keeping up with the posts and pages here at Supernatural Truth in Christ. I do that for two reasons.

1. Jesus constantly called him Father
2. He tells us to call him Father also. When he was asked how we should pray, he said “Do this; Our Father…”Matthew 6: King James Bible

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

There’s my reasoning for why I say what I do when addressing the Creator of all the universe and all that is in it. If it’s good in the sight of the Lord for us to call him Father, I’m all in! But in many circumstances throughout the Bible, we find the Father being called by nicknames or (as in the case we’ll be covering here,) there will be a preceding or following attribute to his nature and character.  See below…

2 Corinthians 1: King James Bible

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 

This verse contains 21 words. Note that there are four different references to the Lord God Almighty. Each with a different description about him.

1. God
2. Father of Jesus
3. Father of mercies
4. God of all Comfort

I have a feeling that Paul is trying to get a few things straight with the Church at Corinth. Acts 18 describes some troubles that the Apostle Paul ran into during his time in Corinth. If anyone had reason to point us to the merciful and comforting aspects of the Lord, it would be Paul. Were it not for God’s mercy, he’d have been dead several times over. Were it not for the Lord’s comfort, he’d have snapped under the weight of the resistance, (or so I’d assume.)

Having read this verse, I think you may find it interesting to make another note, that the very first place you’ll find the specific phrase “Blessed be God,” is in the Psalms.

Psalm 66: King James Bible

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Every once and awhile, the Law of First Mention works out to have some significance. In this case, I find it interesting that the very first time that particular phrase “Blessed be God” was used in the Bible, it related to God’s Mercy. In the verse above from 2 Corinthians 1, he’s pointed out as the Father of Mercies. I don’t think this is by accident.

God the Father of Who?

In 2 Corinthians 1: 3 & 4, it’s important to recognize that the Apostle Paul is strictly referring to the Father, using the Lord Jesus Christ as part of his title (so to speak.) He uses this in a similar manner that the Jews would have referred to the Lord as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul instead cuts to God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are hundreds of gods out there, maybe thousands. But without a doubt, there is only one God. You may be able to discern between the two by reading whether or not I capitalize the “g,” and figure out who I’m talking about. But when we’re talking, that method isn’t visible. So when we speak of the Lord, wouldn’t it be best to place an identifying term or attribute, so there’s no mistake who’s being spoken of?

When we take into consideration the spiritual legalities that legislate what’s going to go on around us in the spirit, wouldn’t it be wise to be clear who we’re talking about? I would hope so. “God the Father” is very clear, as there isn’t any other being that can claim that title. But when you’re trying to communicate to anyone that isn’t saved (or isn’t the Lord himself,) it may behoove you to not just make it clear who you’re referring to, but to throw in a bit extra to make a statement. Just to allow people to know where you’re coming from.

“God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ,” is by far a more pinpointed expression of who you’d be talking about. So in my view, Paul is removing chance from the table by clearly identifying who he’s speaking about, as well as making a proclamation about the divinity of Christ Jesus.

There were occasions where someone would send an epistle, using the Apostle Paul’s name, with ill intentions. This may be a reason that Paul felt it necessary to declare clearly who it is he’s talking about. As we find in the scripture’s…

1 John 2: King James Bible

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1 John 4: King James Bible

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

God the Father of Mercies

It’s strange to think of mercy as a plural, isn’t it? Could it be that there’s more than one type of mercy? I often think of mercy as one item that I’m unworthy of, but am ever thankful for. But I never think on the idea that there’s several different types of mercies.

Genesis 32: King James Bible

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

The least of all the mercies? Is Jacob saying above, that there are degrees from greatest to least in the mercy department? Kind of an interesting thought. Speaking of mercy in terms of varying degrees seems to give more weight to this attribute of the Lord. Being more of a substance than a trait.

Food for Thought

Another interesting thought is the Lord being the Father of mercies. Just by itself, think on that for a moment… Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies… Could Mercy be more of a thing or a being, that the Lord sheds abroad to all who he deems fit? I think so, in a sense. But not of itself, but by way of the Holy Ghost in Christ Jesus. At least that’s how it works for us who are saved and washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

But the Father also sheds mercy on those who are not saved. They don’t know it, understand it, believe it, or appreciate it. And yet he stays merciful. Could mercy be an invisible substance that the Lord works toward us one way or the other like the wind? Could he have introduced mercy into the world after the fall, when he slew a lamb and clothed Adam & Eve, and has been around ever since?

I’m not going to pretend to know the answers to any of those questions. At least I don’t have them at this point. I merely bring up these questions to cause for us to give a deeper look into the Word of God, and to explore with the idea that God the Father, and his attributes, may work much differently than we’ve been thinking. He is the Author of life!! Would it be strange to find that his attributes have life in themselves in some way shape or form; doing his will, as they are still virtues of himself?

Yeah I know it’s weird. But I find that thinking inside the box makes me feel boxed in.

The God of All Comfort

Below are some scriptures extracted from both the New and Old Testaments regarding comfort. Not simple comforts, that are fleshly. For example, many places in the Old Testament, comfort is brought up along with eating or resting from a journey. Comfort that comes by way of the Father happens much differently.

Psalm 23: King James Bible

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 71: King James Bible

20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

Psalm 86: King James Bible

17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Psalm 94: King James Bible

19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 119: King James Bible

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Isaiah 51: King James Bible

12 I, 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;

Matthew 5: King James Bible

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

John 14: King James Bible

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14: King James Bible

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15: King James Bible

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16: King James Bible

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Now, above were a few different kinds of comfort that come directly from the Father. First, would be a comfort that comes from the removal from tribulation of some kind. Second, is from the inhabitance of the Comforter Himself.

The former is impossible to have without trouble first, the second is different as it comes inside of you and is as active as you allow it to be. You may have heard in the past… The Holy Ghost is a gentleman, and will only be as active as you allow him to be in your life. If you want the Comforter himself to comfort you, well, you’ll need to let God be God, learn of him and stay filled with the Word. All this assuming that you’ve invited the Holy Ghost to come in and reside inside you.

The Father is the God of ALL comfort. All of it, no matter what kind of comfort or where it comes from. This is a testament to his mercy. How many people, who couldn’t care less about the Lord in any way, enjoy all kinds of comforts? I believe that the Father is so merciful, that he understands that even though his creation may not care about him, he still cares about them. And if they reject him in this life, he knows where they will be spending all of eternity.

It’s their choice to reject the Lord, not his choice. But yet he is still merciful, giving comfort to those who even hate him, at least while they are living out their lives. Jesus explains this in the book of Matthew.

Matthew 6: King James Bible

6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

The glory of men is the reward that Jesus was talking about in this particular situation, but is not limited to worldly glory. And how valuable is achieving the glory of men, when you’ve not been given the glory from the Father? Glory from men is just a puff of smoke; here for a moment then gone the next.

Creature Comforts

plural noun – Courtesy of Dictionary.com
1. material things or luxuries that help to provide for one’s bodily comfort

Understanding that all comfort comes from the Father of Mercies, the God of all Comforts, there is something that we might need to recognize. This world has turned into garbage, being a system that Satan has built up over the past 4,000 years or so, since the great flood.

 

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The comforts that this world has to offer tend to lean toward gratifying the flesh, instead of edifying the spirit. There’s a huge difference between the two. Worldly comforts comes by way of stuff, money, status, etc.. Comforts from the Father (which are the real comforts) lift you up from the inside out, not the other way around. It comes to us from he who dwells within, not from he who dwells from without.

So to call “worldly comforts” or “creature comforts” comparable to comforts that come from the God of all comforts, is like saying a photo of a sports car is comparable to the car itself. One holds the appearance of the real thing, the other is the real thing. There is no comparison.

Satan, who is known as the great counterfeiter, has created a set of standard comforts that are only attainable through getting along with the world and it’s system. In other words, you need to do things his way, not God’s way. As the Bible says,

Romans 8: King James Bible

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

James 4: King James Bible

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Conclusion

In the next section of this Bible Study, which will be 2 Corinthians 1 Part 5, we are going to dig deeper into God’s comforts. I have a feeling that we’ll be covering verses 4-7 (at least.)

We’ll discuss why we’re so fortunate to enjoy the Lord’s comforts, when we attain them, and how we’re to handle the comforts of the Lord. He does all things for a reason, and I believe that this up and coming addition to the study will really bless you, and open your eyes to why bad things happen to us, particularly the bad things that happen outside of our control.

I hope that this look into 2 Corinthians 1 has been a blessing to you! If it has in any way, please consider sharing it with your friends on Facebook, G+, Twitter, etc., via the share button below or the social media tabs to the left of the screen. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve turned on every picture to be individually shareable. So if you see one that you’d like to share with your friends, it’s that much easier to do so.

I’d like to leave you with a question, and look forward to reading your answers below in the comments section. The question is…

When you are talking directly to, or about the Lord, how do you address him?

Thanks for reading “2 Corinthians 1 Part 4 – The Father!”

 

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