Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "comforters" refers to individuals who provide solace, support, and consolation to those who are suffering or in distress. The role of a comforter is significant in Scripture, as it reflects the compassionate nature of God and the call for believers to emulate His love and care for others.
Old Testament ContextThe concept of comforters is prominently featured in the Book of Job. Job, a righteous man who experiences profound suffering, is visited by three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—who come to comfort him. Initially, they sit with him in silence, sharing in his grief (
Job 2:11-13). However, their subsequent dialogues reveal a failure in their role as comforters. Instead of offering genuine comfort, they accuse Job of wrongdoing, suggesting that his suffering is a result of sin. Job rebukes them, saying, "Miserable comforters are you all!" (
Job 16:2). This highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in the ministry of comfort.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Comforter" or "Helper" (Greek: Parakletos), a term used by Jesus in the Gospel of John. Jesus promises His disciples that the Holy Spirit will come to guide, teach, and comfort them after His departure: "But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you" (
John 14:26). The Holy Spirit's role as Comforter underscores the divine source of true comfort and the presence of God with believers.
Role of Believers as ComfortersBelievers are called to be comforters to one another, reflecting God's love and compassion. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in his letters, urging Christians to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort they have received from God: "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" (
2 Corinthians 1:3-4). This passage highlights the reciprocal nature of comfort among believers, rooted in the comfort provided by God.
Practical Aspects of ComfortingThe ministry of comfort involves several practical aspects, including presence, empathy, and encouragement. Being present with those who are suffering, as Job's friends initially were, is a powerful form of support. Empathy involves understanding and sharing in the feelings of others, while encouragement provides hope and strength. The Apostle Paul advises believers to "encourage one another and build one another up" (
1 Thessalonians 5:11), emphasizing the importance of mutual support within the Christian community.
ConclusionThe biblical portrayal of comforters serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy in the life of a believer. Whether through the presence of the Holy Spirit or the support of fellow Christians, comfort is a vital expression of God's love and care for His people.
Strong's Hebrew
5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself... 1), become a consolation (1), change mind (6), change minds (1), changed mind (4),
comfort (30), comforted (18), comforter (2),
comforters (4), comforts (2
...Library
AngelicComforters.
... XXII. ANGELICCOMFORTERS. The Lord has ascended. The disciples are left
alone in wondering amazement. The bright cloud which formed...
The Master.
... While her poor earthlycomforters are imagining her prostrate at the sepulchre's
mouth, giving vent to the wild delirium of her young grief, she is away, not...
The Comforter
... Job hadcomforters, and I think he spoke the truth when he said, "Miserablecomforters
are ye all." But I dare say they esteemed themselves wise; and when the...
The Loftiness of God
... Are you tormented as Job was, over and above all your sorrows, by mistaken kindness,
andcomforters in whom is no comfort; who break the bruised reed and...
Philippians ii. 16-Dec
... If the words, "I looked for some to have pity, but there was no man, and forcomforters,
but I found none" (Psalm 69:20.), describe intolerable misery, how...
The Prayer of Jabez
... You will find those about you who will commend you if you are prosperous; or
like Job'scomforters, condemn you if you suffer adversity....
The Welcome visitor
... may be. And oh! how promptly she left all othercomforters to come to Christ.
There were the Jews that came to comfort her. I dare...
That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both...
... Job's miserable, mistaken,comforters had so deported themselves in their
controversy with Job that God's wrath was kindled against them....
Order and Argument in Prayer
... and compassionate tenderness would blunt the edge of his grief; but they had not
long spoken before he cried out in bitterness, "Miserablecomforters are ye all...
Christian Sympathy
... Richly did the three miserablecomforters deserve the burning rebuke of their slandered
friend, "Ye are forgers of lies, ye are physicians of no value....
Thesaurus
Comforters (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Comforters (5 Occurrences).
... Job 16:2 "I have
heard many such things. You are all miserable
comforters!
...Sympathy (15 Occurrences)
... 10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you
think that David honors your father, in that he has sentcomforters to you?...
Comforter (14 Occurrences)
... John 2:1. In Job 16:2 the active form of the word (parakletos is passive) is found
in the plural, where Job calls his friends "miserablecomforters." The word...
Explore (13 Occurrences)
... 10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you
think that David honors your father, in that he has sentcomforters to you?...
Paraclete
... The active form of the word is parakletor, not found in the New Testament but found
in Septuagint in Job 16:2 in the plural, and means "comforters," in the...
Hanun (10 Occurrences)
... 10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you
think that David honors your father, in that he has sentcomforters to you?...
Express (13 Occurrences)
... 10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you
think that David honors your father, in that he has sentcomforters to you?...
Honoring (3 Occurrences)
... 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord: 'Thinkest
thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sentcomforters unto thee...
Honors (11 Occurrences)
... 10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you
think that David honors your father, in that he has sentcomforters to you?...
Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... 10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you
think that David honors your father, in that he has sentcomforters to you?...
Resources
Why did Job refer to his friends as miserable comforters? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Eliphaz the Temanite's message to Job? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Job's three friends have wrong, and what did they have right? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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