Topical Bible: God: Comforter

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The concept of God as the Comforter is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. This aspect of God is particularly associated with the Holy Spirit, who is often referred to as the Comforter or Advocate in the New Testament. The role of God as Comforter is to provide solace, peace, and encouragement to believers, especially in times of distress and suffering.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding God as a source of comfort. In Isaiah 40:1, God speaks through the prophet, saying, "Comfort, comfort My people, says your God." This passage highlights God's desire to bring consolation to His people, Israel, during their times of hardship and exile. The Psalms also frequently depict God as a refuge and source of comfort. Psalm 23:4, for example, 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."

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the role of God as Comforter is most explicitly revealed through the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, in His farewell discourse, promises the coming of the Holy Spirit to His disciples. In John 14:16-17, Jesus says, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The term "Advocate" (Greek: Parakletos) can also be translated as "Comforter" or "Helper," indicating the Spirit's role in providing divine comfort and guidance.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this comforting role in his epistles. 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." Here, Paul emphasizes that God's comfort is not only for personal solace but also equips believers to extend comfort to others.

The Holy Spirit as Comforter

The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is a continual source of comfort for believers. Romans 8:26-27 describes how the Spirit helps in our weaknesses and intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This intercessory role underscores the Spirit's intimate involvement in the believer's life, providing comfort and strength in times of need.

Practical Implications

Understanding God as Comforter has profound implications for the Christian life. It assures believers of God's constant presence and support, enabling them to face trials with hope and resilience. This divine comfort is not passive but active, empowering believers to live out their faith and extend God's comfort to others in their communities.

In summary, the depiction of God as Comforter is a central theme in Scripture, revealing a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, offering peace, strength, and hope through His Spirit.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 35:10
But none said, Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Comforter
... Where is that Comforter? God answers:"That Comforter am I, the God of heaven
and earth. ... Oh, blessed news, that God Himself is the Comforter. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xiv the comforter.htm

Nun Bitten Wir Den Heiligen Geist. Now Pray we all God, the ...
... XIX. Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist. Now pray we all God, the Comforter. The
first stanza from an ancient German hymn. The other stanzas added by Luther. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xix nun bitten wir den.htm

Love and the Comforter.
... Hence a Comforter who is to depart after having comforted us can not be
the Comforter of God's children. Wherefore Jesus assured ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxii love and the comforter.htm

Messiah Unpitied, and Without a Comforter
... persons. Then they will find no pity, no comforter. For who, or what, can
comfort, when the LORD God Omnipotent arises to punish? ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxii messiah unpitied and.htm

The Comforter
... Sad indeed; but such is not God's Spirit. He ever loves, and loves even to the
end"a faithful Comforter. Child of God, you are in trouble. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the comforter.htm

March 10. "The Peace of God which Passeth all Understanding Shall ...
... At last, when we are able to cease from our own work, God comes in with His ... n above
its tones of love Are lingering on my ear; The blessed Comforter has come ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /march 10 the peace of.htm

The Comforter Given
... He comes fluttering down as the Dove of God, the bird of peace that will brood upon ...
are full of teaching as to the manner in which He is the Comforter and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the comforter given.htm

Komm, Gott Schoepfer, Heiliger Geist Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost ...
... again. 2. For Comforter thy name we call. Sweet gift of God most high above,
A holy unction to us all O Fount of life, Fire of love. 3 ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/x komm gott schoepfer heiliger.htm

The God of all Comfort
... He was anointed to comfort "all that mourn." The "God of all comfort"
sent His Son to be the comforter of a mourning world. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 3 the god of.htm

Let God the Father Live
... Whose light, and power, and grace conveys. Salvation down to men. While God the
Comforter. Reveals our pardoned sin,. O may the blood and water bear. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 28 let god the.htm