Comforting, as a biblical concept, encompasses the actions and words that provide solace, encouragement, and reassurance to those who are experiencing distress, grief, or hardship. The Bible presents God as the ultimate source of comfort, and believers are encouraged to extend this divine comfort to others.

Divine Comfort

The Bible frequently portrays God as a compassionate and comforting presence. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah speaks of God's comforting nature: "Comfort, comfort My people, says your God" (Isaiah 40:1). This passage highlights God's desire to console His people, particularly in times of suffering and exile.

The Psalms also reflect God's comforting presence. Psalm 23:4 states, "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, God's presence is depicted as a source of comfort and protection, even in the darkest times.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes God's role as a comforter in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "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 God's comfort is not only for personal solace but also equips believers to comfort others.

Jesus Christ as Comforter

Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, exemplified the role of a comforter. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" . This invitation highlights Jesus' compassionate nature and His ability to provide spiritual rest and comfort.

Furthermore, Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, referred to as the "Comforter" or "Helper" in some translations. In John 14:16-17, Jesus assures His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth" . The Holy Spirit's role as a comforter continues the ministry of Jesus, providing guidance, peace, and reassurance to believers.

Comforting Others

The Bible encourages believers to extend comfort to others, reflecting God's love and compassion. Romans 12:15 instructs, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" . This call to empathy and shared experience is a foundational aspect of Christian community and fellowship.

In practical terms, comforting others can involve offering words of encouragement, providing practical assistance, or simply being present with those who are suffering. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, urges believers to "encourage one another and build one another up" , emphasizing the importance of mutual support within the body of Christ.

Eternal Comfort

The Bible also speaks of an eternal comfort that awaits believers. Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of the ultimate comfort in the new creation: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This promise of eternal comfort provides hope and assurance to believers, reminding them of the future restoration and peace that God has prepared.

In summary, comforting in the biblical sense is deeply rooted in the character of God, exemplified by Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is both a divine gift and a Christian duty, offering hope and healing in a broken world.Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Topicalbible.org

Isaiah 44:24
Thus said the LORD, your redeemer, and he that formed you from the womb, I am the LORD that makes all things; that stretches forth the heavens alone; that spreads abroad the earth by myself;
Topicalbible.org

4496. menuchah -- resting place, rest
... of manoach Definition resting place, rest NASB Word Usage comforting (1), permanent
(1), place (1), place of rest (1), quartermaster* (1), quiet (1), rest (8 ...
/hebrew/4496.htm - 6k

8575. tanchum -- consolation
... Word Origin from nacham Definition consolation NASB Word Usage comforting
(1), consolation (2), consolations (2). comfort, consolation. ...
/hebrew/8575.htm - 6k

5150. nichum -- comfort, compassion
... Word Origin from nacham Definition comfort, compassion NASB Word Usage comfort
(1), comforting (1), compassions (1). comfortable, repenting. ...
/hebrew/5150.htm - 6k

4Th Day. Comforting Grace.
... 4TH DAY. Comforting Grace. "He is Faithful that Promised." "I will not leave you
comfortless; I will come to you.""John 14:18. Comforting Grace. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/4th day comforting grace.htm

Jesus Comforting his Friends.
... CHAPTER XI. JESUS COMFORTING HIS FRIENDS. ... We cannot tell why he did this, but there
is something very comforting in the words that tell us of the delay. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xi jesus comforting his.htm

Loving Advice for Anxious Seekers
... wisdom, let him ask of God.". This text might be peculiarly comforting to some
of you who are working for God. You cannot work long for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/loving advice for anxious seekers.htm

The God of all Comfort
... Among all the names that reveal God, this, the "God of all comfort," seems to
me one of the loveliest and the most absolutely comforting. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 3 the god of.htm

The Gospel Cordial
... There are many persons who are doubting and despairing, spiritually "ready to perish,"
and there is in the Word of God a rich store of comforting truths which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the gospel cordial.htm

He is Lovely in his Offices
... Secondly, He is altogether lovely in his offices: let us consider for a moment
the suitability, fullness, and comforting nature of them. ...
/.../flavel/christ altogether lovely/he is lovely in his 2.htm

The Physician's Calling (Preached at Whitehall for St. George's ...
... in mind, that the Gospels, which are the very parts of Scripture which speak most
concerning disease, omit almost entirely that cheering and comforting view of ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon ii the physicians calling.htm

Early Afflictions
... We do not know the reason why you are so afflicted, but we will know sometime."
With such comforting words she many times soothed my troubled spirit. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter ii early afflictions.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
... 3. This is a fine and comforting thought of the apostle's, that all creatures are
martyrs, having to endure unwillingly every sort of injustice. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity redemption.htm

Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
... Even worldly men admit that there is something extremely comforting in the sacred
Scriptures, and in our holy religion; I have even heard it said of some, that ...
/.../consolation proportionate to spiritual sufferings.htm

Comforting (21 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Comforting (21 Occurrences). ... Luke 3:18 And so comforting
them with these and other words, he gave the good news to the people; (BBE). ...
/c/comforting.htm - 12k

Comforter (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One who administers comfort or consolation. 2.
(n.) The Holy Spirit, -- referring to his office of comforting believers. ...
/c/comforter.htm - 14k

Asleep (50 Occurrences)
... the King James Version). Used with beautiful and comforting significance
of death (koimaomai, "to put to sleep"). Sleep implies a ...
/a/asleep.htm - 23k

Comforteth (9 Occurrences)

/c/comforteth.htm - 8k

Visit (97 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To come to for the purpose of chastising, rewarding, comforting; to come
upon with reward or retribution; to appear before or judge; as, to visit in ...
/v/visit.htm - 36k

Witness (295 Occurrences)
... operation of the Spirit on the mind, "a certitude of the Spirit's presence and work
continually asserted within us", manifested "in his comforting us, his ...
/w/witness.htm - 44k

Witnessing (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 5:12 I have sent you this short letter by Silvanus, a true brother, in my
opinion; comforting you and witnessing that this is the true grace of God ...
/w/witnessing.htm - 10k

Ruling (123 Occurrences)
... Romans 12:8 He who has the power of comforting, let him do so; he who gives, let
him give freely; he who has the power of ruling, let him do it with a serious ...
/r/ruling.htm - 37k

Eutychus (1 Occurrence)
... Paul went down and embraced the youth while comforting the lamenting crowd, "Make
ye no ado; for his life is in him." The interrupted meeting was resumed, the ...
/e/eutychus.htm - 8k

Downcast (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY NIV). 2 Corinthians 7:6 but He who is comforting the cast-down -- God --
He did comfort us in the presence of Titus; (See RSV NIV). ...
/d/downcast.htm - 9k

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