1:3 Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The three Persons of the Trinity are equally divine, yet they are one God, not three. As the names Father, Son, and Holy Spirit suggest, certain roles and activities correspond more closely to one Person than another. For example, the role of the Father is to initiate and direct.

Father of mercies and God of all comfort. A key theme of chs. 1–9. All consolation and encouragement in the world has its origin in God Himself.