Anyone who reads the first part of 2 Corinthians 1 will immediately notice that Paul uses a number of words frequently. First of all, this is (in the NKJV and Dutch Statenvertaling) the word comfort (parakaleo, G3870 and G3874). It occurs no fewer than 10 times in the first 7 verses and 39 times in the entire letter. This word literally means to call out and could always be translated as encourage. It is contrasted in 2 Corinthians 1 with suffering and affliction (>tribulation).
plentiful
The message that Paul delivers in this chapter is that where suffering abounds, so also encouragement abounds (:5). And that it is God who encourages us in all our tribulation, so that we can encourage others who are in tribulation (:4). If we zoom in on this last verse (:4) and see how exactly Paul says this, something special emerges.
2 Corinthians 1
3 (…) the God of all encouragement,
4 Who encourages us above all tribulation, that we may be able to encourage those who are in all tribulation, by the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged under God.
above oppression
Notice the prepositions, because this is what Paul literally says. God encourages us above all our affliction, that’s a promise! The encouragement is always more than the tribulation and therefore ensures that we can endure the tribulation. We are lifted above the circumstances that oppress us.
In the last part of the verse Paul says that we are encouraged under God. Whoever knows God and acknowledges Him as GOD and Placer of all, knows that God is the Sub-Order of all things. He orders things and we who are under Him know that He subordinates all things and look up and expect it from Him. Then you will never be disappointed.
1 Corinthians 10
13 No trial has seized you except human. However, God is faithful: He will not allow you to be tested beyond what you are able, but will also provide an outcome along with the test, so that you may be able to endure it.
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