2 Corinthians 1:3
What does 2 Corinthians 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 1:3 means
Paul bursts into praise, blessing “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” whom he calls the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He anchors Christian consolation in God’s character, not in changing circumstances. Calling God the Father of Jesus ties comfort to the gospel: the same God who sent his Son is tender and compassionate toward his people. “Mercies” highlights God’s heart toward the miserable and needy; “comfort” stresses his active help to strengthen and encourage. This is not vague cheerfulness; it is relational. Paul directs suffering believers to worship, because adoration refocuses the lens from self and pain to the faithful, merciful God revealed in Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Blessed <FI>is<Fi> God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the mercies, and God of all comfort,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blessed [be] theGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions, andGod of all encouragement;
Context
The grace-and-peace blessing leads naturally into a doxology. Having faced severe trials, Paul begins with worship rather than complaint, modeling a Christ-centered response to hardship. This verse introduces the key theme that will dominate the next several verses: God’s comfort in affliction. The immediate flow will explain how divine comfort equips believers to comfort others, and how Paul himself experienced suffering and consolation. By framing the whole section with praise, Paul teaches the Corinthians to interpret trials through the character of God, before he details his personal story and the communal implications.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, andPethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Jehovah your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
- 2 John 1:9
Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
- Philippians 2:11
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Micah 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.
- John 10:30
I and the Father are one.
- Genesis 14:20
and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore 2 Corinthians 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 2 Corinthians 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Sadness
Sadness is a universal human experience, often leading us to seek comfort and understanding in God's Word.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Promises of God
God’s promises are a source of comfort and assurance, revealing His unchanging character and faithfulness to His people
Topic
Bible Verses About Atonement
Atonement, a central doctrine of Christianity, describes how humanity is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Fear of Failure
When the fear of failing is louder than the dream — verses to keep moving.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.