Comfort

The consolation and reassurance of those who are in distress, anxiety or need. Such comfort is an essential aspect of human relationships. Scripture declares that God comforts his people in times of distress.

The comfort of friends and relations

Job 2:11; John 11:19 See also Genesis 5:29, Genesis 24:67, Genesis 37:35; Ruth 2:13; 2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Chronicles 7:22; Job 16:5, Job 29:25, Job 42:11; John 11:31; Acts 20:12

Now when Job’s three friends— Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite— heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him.

and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother.

Parental comfort

Isaiah 66:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 See also Isaiah 66:11; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18

As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children— encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

God's comfort

Isaiah 49:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 See also Psalm 23:4, Psalm 71:20–21, Psalm 119:50, Psalm 119:76; Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 51:3, Isaiah 51:12, Isaiah 52:9, Isaiah 57:18, Isaiah 61:2; Jeremiah 8:18, Jeremiah 31:13; Zechariah 1:3, Zechariah 1:17; Matthew 5:4; Luke 16:25; Philippians 2:1

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

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.

Comfort as a specific work of the Holy Spirit

John 14:16–17 The title “Counsellor” may be translated “Comforter”. See also Isaiah 11:2–3; John 15:26, John 16:7

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.

Comfort within the fellowship of believers

2 Corinthians 1:5–7 See also 1 Corinthians 14:3; 2 Corinthians 2:7, 2 Corinthians 7:6–7; Colossians 4:11; Hebrews 12:12

For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience. And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.

Promises of comfort

When worried

Isaiah 43:1–13; Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:4–7; 1 Peter 5:7

When lonely

Psalm 73:23–24; Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 49:14–16; John 14:15–21

When tired or weary

Isaiah 40:28–31; Matthew 11:28–30; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18; Philippians 4:12–13

When discouraged

Psalm 34:18, Psalm 42:5; Lamentations 3:20–23; Romans 8:28–39

False comfort

Luke 6:24 See also Job 16:2; Zechariah 10:2

But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Lack of comfort

Jeremiah 16:7 See also Psalm 69:20; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Isaiah 51:19, Isaiah 54:11; Lamentations 1:2, Lamentations 1:16–17, Lamentations 1:21

No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother.