Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the concept of being "comforted" is deeply rooted in the character of God as a source of solace and strength for His people. The term "comfort" in the Bible often conveys a sense of consolation, encouragement, and relief from distress, reflecting God's compassionate nature and His desire to provide peace to His followers.Old Testament Context The Old Testament frequently portrays God as a comforter to His people, Israel. In Isaiah 40:1, the prophet declares, "Comfort, comfort My people, says your God." This passage highlights God's intention to bring consolation to the Israelites during their times of suffering and exile. The comfort offered by God is not merely emotional but is often accompanied by promises of deliverance and restoration. The Psalms also reflect the theme of divine comfort. In Psalm 23:4, David writes, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Here, the imagery of the shepherd's rod and staff symbolizes God's guidance and protection, providing comfort amidst life's darkest moments. New Testament Context In the New Testament, comfort is closely associated with the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, in His farewell discourse, promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, whom He refers to as the "Comforter" or "Advocate." In John 14:16, Jesus assures His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever." The Holy Spirit's role as a comforter is to provide guidance, peace, and assurance to believers, continuing the comforting presence of Christ after His ascension. The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of comfort in his epistles, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of receiving and giving comfort. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul writes, "Blessed be 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 have received from God." This passage underscores the idea that believers are comforted by God not only for their own benefit but also to extend that comfort to others in need. Theological Implications Theologically, the concept of being comforted is integral to understanding God's relationship with humanity. It reflects His intimate involvement in the lives of His people, offering peace and reassurance in the midst of trials. Comfort is both a present reality and a future hope, as believers anticipate the ultimate comfort in the eternal presence of God, where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 21:4). Practical Application For Christians, the biblical teaching on comfort encourages reliance on God during times of distress. It calls believers to seek the Holy Spirit's presence for peace and to trust in God's promises of deliverance and restoration. Additionally, it challenges Christians to be conduits of God's comfort to others, embodying the love and compassion of Christ in their interactions with those who are suffering. In summary, the biblical concept of being comforted is a profound expression of God's love and care, offering hope and strength to His people throughout the ages. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Comfort.Greek 3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage ... to exhort, to encourage NASB Word Usage appeal (4), appealed (1), appealing (2), beg (1), begging (2), beseeching (1), comfort (5), comforted (11), comforts (2 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3870.htm - 10k Strong's Hebrew 5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself... Word Usage am sorry (1), appeased (1), become a consolation (1), change mind (6), change minds (1), changed mind (4), comfort (30), comforted (18), comforter (2 ... /hebrew/5162.htm - 6k 5149. Nechum -- "comfort," an Israelite of Nehemiah's time Library Mr. Fearing Comforted The Mourner Comforted. "Sing, O Heavens; and be Joyful, O Earth; for the Lord Hath ... To the Afflicted, Tossed with Tempests and not Comforted. Isa 44:5 ... Psalm CXXVI. 2 Cor. I. 6, 7 Psalm LXXVII. 2 Cor. vii. 2, 3 Conflict and Comfort. The Message Heeded Thesaurus Comforted (56 Occurrences)... (imp. & pp) of Comfort. Multi-Version Concordance Comforted (56 Occurrences). ... Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ... /c/comforted.htm - 24k Consoled (6 Occurrences) Comforts (11 Occurrences) Comfort (130 Occurrences) Wastes (33 Occurrences) Comforteth (9 Occurrences) Consolation (23 Occurrences) Lamentation (45 Occurrences) Comfortably (5 Occurrences) Mourning (85 Occurrences) Resources How can I overcome peer pressure? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Eutychus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What are some encouraging Bible verses? | GotQuestions.org Comforted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Comforted (56 Occurrences)Matthew 2:18 Matthew 5:4 Mark 10:49 Luke 6:24 Luke 16:25 John 11:31 Acts 16:40 Acts 20:12 Romans 1:12 Romans 15:24 1 Corinthians 14:31 2 Corinthians 1:4 2 Corinthians 1:6 2 Corinthians 7:6 2 Corinthians 7:7 2 Corinthians 7:13 2 Corinthians 13:11 Philippians 2:19 Colossians 2:2 1 Thessalonians 2:11 1 Thessalonians 3:7 Genesis 24:67 Genesis 37:35 Genesis 38:12 Genesis 50:21 Ruth 2:13 2 Samuel 12:24 2 Samuel 13:39 1 Chronicles 21:15 Job 29:25 Job 42:11 Psalms 39:13 Psalms 63:5 Psalms 68:10 Psalms 77:2 Psalms 86:17 Psalms 102:13 Psalms 106:45 Psalms 119:52 Song of Songs 2:5 Isaiah 12:1 Isaiah 22:4 Isaiah 49:13 Isaiah 51:3 Isaiah 51:19 Isaiah 52:9 Isaiah 54:11 Isaiah 57:6 Isaiah 66:13 Jeremiah 31:13 Jeremiah 31:15 Ezekiel 5:13 Ezekiel 14:22 Ezekiel 14:23 Ezekiel 31:16 Ezekiel 32:31 Subtopics Related Terms |