In this lesson starting 2 Corinthians, we have learned that Paul started the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He then sent them a letter which they misunderstood (1 Corinthians 5:9-13), and that letter was lost. Paul then sent the letter known as 1 Corinthians. Not recorded in Acts was a second visit to Corinth known in 2 Corinthians as a painful visit (2 Corinthians 2:1). Paul then wrote a sorrowful/severe letter sent by Titus which we do not have a copy of (2 Corinthians 2:3-4, 9, 7:8). Paul met Titus and was encouraged that the church had repented, and now Paul is writing 2 Corinthians to bring comfort to the church before he comes for his third visit before going to Jerusalem with the offering (2 Corinthians 12:14 & 13:1). In the first seven verses of chapter one, Paul used the word comfort 10 times. He reminds us that when we suffer we suffer with Christ. We never suffer alone. Plus, there is a purpose for the pain of suffering, and that is to help others in their suffering, and bring the comfort of Christ to them.
