<p>1:3 <i>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort</i>- The reference to comfort being sent from the Father is surely a reference to the promise of the Comforter, a personification of the Holy Spirit given by the Lord Jesus, for the internal strengthening of believers. The comforter was to operate within the hearts of the Lord's people (Jn. 14:17). The theme of 'comfort' which Paul now develops may also be a reflection of his gratitude to gracious Barnabas for all he had done for Paul- he was &quot;the son of comfort&quot;, a human form of God's comfort (Acts 4:36).</p>