2 Corinthians 1:1

2 Corinthians 1:1 says, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:  Paul identified himself as the author of this letter and gave his qualification to write it.  He did not speak of any degrees he may have earned or any earthly titles he may have earned.  Paul simply identified himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.  This should be the way we view ourselves today, not necessarily as an apostle, but that whatever we are called to be in the church, the body of Christ, we are because of our faith in Christ.  Paul acknowledged Timothy as a brother.  As followers of Christ, we are all brothers and sisters through our faith in Him.  Paul said he was writing to the church of God at Corinth, and to all the saints in Achaia.  What we know is that Paul was writing to us as well.  Just as these truths applied to all believers in Corinth and Achaia, they apply to us today.  Verse two adds, Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul wished them grace and peace.  I believe that these to things are inclusive.  When we are saved by and living under the grace of God, we will be at peace in our lives, no matter the conditions under which we live.  When we are not living under the grace of God, then we can never be at peace in the world.  Verse three continues, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  Paul said that he blessed God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  This was not two Gods, but two manifestations of the One God.  Paul declared God to be the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort.  Only through accepting the mercy of God through our faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord can we find comfort in this evil world.  When we have this comfort from God, nothing in this world can take it away.  Verse four states, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  Paul said that since God comforts His people in times of trouble that His people should be able to comfort others.  We are to be caring, compassionate people as followers of Christ.  Verse five adds, For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. I believe this means that Christ takes on the suffering for all sins for all time, and since this is true, then our consolation should abound because of our faith in our salvation through Christ.  Verse six continues, And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.  Paul was basically saying that whatever state he found himself in, whether afflicted or comforted, that everything he did was for the comfort and salvation of others.  We need the same attitude.  Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we must continue to witness to and comfort others through our faith in Christ.  Verse seven concludes, And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.  Paul declared his hope for the Christians at Corinth to be steadfast.  They were suffering persecution as was Paul, but he knew that their consolation through Christ would always be there.  When we are suffering due to our faith today, we simply have to rest in the consolation of our salvation.