Bible Verses About Comfort

The Bible reveals God as the "God of all comfort" who draws near to the brokenhearted. These verses demonstrate how divine comfort transforms mourning into joy and provides hope in suffering.

8 Verses

1. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Praise be to 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 receive from God."
Paul opens with praise for the "God of all comfort," emphasizing that "There is no other real source of happiness but God; and he is able abundantly, and willing to impart consolation to his people" (Barnes). Gill explains "there is no solid comfort but what comes from him" and "all spiritual comfort is of him." Meyer describes God as "the compassionate Father and God who worketh every consolation," revealing comfort originates directly from God's nature. Matthew Henry notes God "is able to give peace to the troubled conscience" and "comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace." The purpose of divine comfort is multiplicative - we receive comfort to become conduits of comfort to others, creating a redemptive cycle of consolation (BibleHub Commentaries).

2. Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
This beatitude primarily refers to spiritual mourning - Gill explains it means to "Mourn for sin, for their own sins" involving "sorrow over sin itself" (Ellicott). This mourning represents "Entire feeling which the sense of our spiritual poverty begets" and reveals "love of the good" (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Expositor's Greek Testament). The promised comfort includes immediate "Consolations of the Spirit" and "Discoveries of the love of God" (Poole, Gill), as well as ultimate comfort when believers are "Freed from all troubles... uninterrupted communion" with God (Gill). The Expositor's Greek Testament notes "No noble nature abides permanently in the house of mourning" - godly grief leads to spiritual transformation and eventual joy, not perpetual sorrow (BibleHub Commentaries).

3. Psalm 34:18

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Benson describes brokenheartedness as being "truly humbled under the hand of God" with a spirit "subdued, and made obedient to God's will." Barnes explains it involves "a condition when a burden seems to be on the heart" with "a consciousness of deep guilt, or the heaviest kind of affliction and trouble." Gill offers nuanced insight - hearts "pressed and bore down with afflictions" or experiencing "sorrow for sin" where one's heart is "wounded" and "broken." Matthew Henry emphasizes the contrite are "humbled for sin" and "low in their own eyes" creating an environment where "every grace will flourish." The Cambridge Bible suggests brokenheartedness occurs when "affliction has borne fruit" and "self-asserting pride has been subdued," replaced by "true contrition and humility" - making one receptive to God's transformative comfort (BibleHub Commentaries).

4. Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners... to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
This Messianic prophecy, which Jesus claimed in Luke 4, reveals Christ's mission to "comfort all those whom the infliction of punishment has inwardly humbled" (Keil and Delitzsch). Matthew Henry notes Christ comes as a "Comforter" providing spiritual healing "to all that mourn." Benson emphasizes Christ brings "relief and comfort to persons burdened and distressed with a sense of the guilt and power of their sins." The transformation from "ashes" to a "crown of beauty" represents Christ's ability to replace spiritual despair with divine hope. Ellicott captures this, noting Christ "bind[s] up the broken-hearted" and provides healing, demonstrating God's compassionate intervention in human suffering. This passage reveals comfort as comprehensive restoration - emotional, spiritual, and eternal (BibleHub Commentaries).

5. John 14:16-17

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth."
The "Comforter" (Paraclete) means "one called to help," specifically an advocate - Vincent's Word Studies notes it means "one who is called to another's side to aid him, as an advocate in a court of justice." MacLaren describes the Spirit as "Strength in all weakness, Peace in all trouble, Wisdom in all darkness, Guide in every perplexity." Barnes highlights the Spirit will "furnish to all Christians the instruction and consolation which would be given by the personal presence of Jesus." Matthew Henry notes the Spirit "will abide with the believer forever," while the Cambridge Bible emphasizes the Spirit pleads "the believer's cause against the world" and "Christ's cause with the believer." Vincent notes Jesus uses "another" (ἄλλον) meaning similar to himself, portraying the Comforter as a profound, personal divine presence providing ongoing spiritual support (BibleHub Commentaries).

6. Romans 15:4

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
MacLaren highlights Scripture offers comfort by showing "histories of those who have fought and overcome" and providing "encouragement" beyond mere consolation, offering "a bridge" from sorrow to hope. Barnes emphasizes Scripture's comfort comes through "Examples of the saints in affliction," "Recorded expressions of confidence in God," and teaching believers how to find "support in afflictions." Gill notes Scripture comforts through "exceeding great and precious promises," "excellent doctrines, big with consolation," and "the best examples of suffering affliction." The Cambridge Bible explains Scripture's comfort emerges from teaching patience "in precept or example," showcasing Christ's "blessed patience," and encouraging believers "to tread in His track." Scripture transforms suffering through divine perspective and encouragement (BibleHub Commentaries).

7. Psalm 23:4

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Matthew Henry suggests the rod and staff symbolize "God's pastoral care" representing guidance and protection. Barnes notes they refer to the shepherd's "staff" for walking, the "crook" for guiding the flock, and instruments to "guard the flock" and "drive off enemies." Gill provides detailed interpretation - they represent "the rod of the word," "the staff of the promises," and God's "presence, power, and protection." Keil and Delitzsch describe them as "means of guidance and defence" providing "a feeling of security." Gill captures this beautifully: "The presence, power, and protection of Christ... are what are here intended, and which are the comfort and safety of his people." The rod and staff represent God's protective, guiding presence bringing comfort during life's darkest journeys (BibleHub Commentaries).

8. Revelation 21:4

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Matthew Henry emphasizes the complete transformation: "All effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have often been in tears... but no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain." Barnes provides poignant perspective: "In all that future world of glory, not one shall ever die; not a grave shall ever be dug!" Ellicott beautifully describes the removal of suffering: "No sea, no tears, no death, no mourning, no crying, no pain; with the former things these six shadows pass away from life." Gill notes the comprehensive nature: "There will be nothing to afflict the mind... nor will there be any sickness or diseases of body." This profound divine promise reveals total healing where every source of human pain is permanently eliminated, replaced by perfect peace and joy - the ultimate comfort God provides (BibleHub Commentaries).

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