This is a word study about the word "comfort". I find when I do study with a KJV Bible and a concordance, that I find different ways of looking at the same thing and that the Bible has it worded a little different each time.
When I start a word study, I go to the dictionary first. I used Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, G & C Merriam Co., Springfield, MO, 1965. I find that if I use a dictionary this old, it has more of the old terms and definitions from the Bible.
"Comfort" can be a noun (a thing) or a verb (action). As a noun it can be a strengthening aid with synonyms of assistance and support. It can be consolation in trouble or worry and a state of feeling relief or encouragement. As a verb, it means to give strength and hope, to ease grief or trouble and to make the sense of loss less severe or less painful.
Several verses were about God's attitude toward us. They are encouraging to me in that respect.
Psalms 23:4 "thy rod and thy staff they comfort me". The Psalmist sees these as providing for his physical needs. I think it could also indicate spiritual needs. Heb 12:8 says that if we aren't chastened, we are bastards rather than sons. The chastening yields "the peaceable fruit of righteousness". (Hebrews 12:11). It should be comforting to be kept on the right path.
Ps 119:76 "Let, I pray Thee, they merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant." When you show someone comfort, it also shows kindness. Coming from God it also becomes merciful, because we are sinners and do not deserve it.
Isaiah 51:12 "I, even I, am He that comforts you."We are reminded that God is the original source of comforting. This is backed up by 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 where Paul describes the "God of all comfort" and who comforts us in all our tribulation".
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 God is source of all comfort. Comfort originates with God toward us in tribulation. We are to pass on the comfort we have received to others, probably including Bible verses.
2 Corinthians 7:6-7, God comforts those that are cast down. Paul was comforted by the coming of Titus and with the consolation he was comforted.
1 Thessalonians 2:11 God comforts us like a father comforts his children.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 We are to comfort our hearts with God's everlasting consolation and good hope. Jesus establishes us in every good word and work.
