Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
This thanksgiving for his late deliverance forms a suitable introduction, conciliating their favourable reception of his reasons for not having fulfilled his promise of visiting them (2 Corinthians 1:15-24).
Father of mercies - i:e., the SOURCE of all mercies (cf. Isaiah 63:7; Romans 12:1; James 1:17).
Comfort - which flows from His "mercies" experienced. Like a man of faith, be mentions "mercies" and "comfort" before he proceeds to speak of afflictions (2 Corinthians 1:4-6). The "tribulation" of believers is not inconsistent with God's mercy, and does not beget in them suspicion of it; nay, they feel that He is "the God of ALL comfort" - i:e., who imparts the only perfect comfort in every instance (Psalms 146:3; Psalms 146:5; Psalms 146:8; James 5:11).