The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 1:1-5, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

Have you ever greeted someone who responsed, “I am the CEO of the company”? It might have been helpful to know that, but it would certainly have been better had someone else shared that he was “the CEO.”

One of the factors that prompts us to admire Paul, is that he always presented himself as a lowly messenger of Jesus Christ. The word “apostle” (?????????)
has over time come to be admired as a position of status. Yet, it was not a symbol of status in biblical times.

Paul was unquestionably the author of the Corinthian epistles, yet he graciously introduces Timothy as his spiritual “brother.” This is undoubtedly the manner in which we should introduce our spiritual companions. Not everyone I knew in the days of my evangelistic travels were my physical companions; yet, there were innumerable believers who companioned with me through their prayers. We can (and should) do the same with our pastors and missionaries.

Grace (????? ) simply means “kindness, blessing.” Today, it might be translated as “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” It is indeed a term of kindness, as is it’s oft- companion, “peace” (??????). Both words were spiritually transitional in nature.
They were what could be expected from the hearts and mouths of Christ’s servants.

That the LORD was their “Father of mercies (?????????) and comfort
(??????????),” seems a subtle transition into coming affliction (??????); yet they
possessed the comfort of Almighty God. What’s more, we possess His comfort
and protection when we are in spiritual battles; for all spiritual battles concern
our LORD. And He is ever faithful to deliver us, no matter how abundant they are. Are you in the battle for our LORD Jesus Christ? Don’t go AWOL! Stand
true for Him! He is standing true for you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom