While God is the one to be Blessed, the Greek does not make explicit who does the blessing. In Hebrew thought, human beings blessed God by praising him (Gen 14.20; Psa 28.6). But in many languages God cannot be the object of the verb “to bless.” So the translation will have to use a verb like “praise,” “honor,” or “glorify,” as seen in many modern English versions. This formula is repeated in Eph 1.3 and 1 Peter 1.3. Good News Translation makes the subject explicit, “Let us give thanks…,” that is, Paul, Timothy, and the Corinthian readers.
There are two ways to understand the Greek words translated by Revised Standard Version as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1) God is both the God and the father of Jesus Christ. This interpretation is reflected in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. (2) The words of our Lord Jesus Christ qualify only the word Father. This interpretation is reflected in Anchor Bible: “Blessed is God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (so also Barrett). If this second interpretation is followed, some will prefer to say something like “God who is the Father of…” or “the Father God….”
The structure of the Greek favors the first interpretation. On the other hand, while Paul frequently refers to God as the Father of Jesus, only in Eph 1.17 is God called the God of Jesus. If translators follow the first interpretation (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation), they must be careful not to give the impression that Paul is referring to two different beings.
Our Lord: our includes the readers.
The Father of mercies: this has been rendered “the all-merciful Father” (New English Bible [New English Bible], Revised English Bible [Revised English Bible]) and “a gentle Father” (Jerusalem Bible), but New Jerusalem Bible and Knox have simply “the merciful Father.” In some languages it may be necessary to use a verbal expression like “the Father who feels pity” or “the Father who cares very much.” The description of God as the Father of mercies and God of all comfort finds expression in the Old Testament also (see Psa 103.13; Isa 51.12; 66.13). In the context of 2 Corinthians, this description is especially appropriate for Paul’s own situation. God is the one who acts with mercy and who provides comfort for his people.
Comfort: this word occurs as a verb or noun ten times in verses 3-7 and again several times in chapters 2, 7, and 13. The Greek word has several components of meaning, including the idea of consoling someone in trouble or sorrow and the idea of giving active help or encouragement. It comes from the same root as the name given to the Holy Spirit in John (14.16, 26; 15.26; 16.7), translated “Counselor” in Revised Standard Version. Good News Translation has emphasized the aspect of active help (“from whom all help comes”). New Revised Standard Version and Revised English Bible emphasize the idea of consoling (“the God of all consolation”).
Since some languages may require verbal expressions for the noun phrases in this verse, the following model is suggested: “Let us praise God, who is the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who has mercy on us; he is the God who always puts an end to the sadness of people.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .