The Comfortable Words: A holy refrain that still assures modern souls
A moment in Anglican worship that reminds us of what is always true — even when our feelings waver.
Tucked within the traditional Anglican liturgy are four short passages of scripture known as the “Comfortable Words.”
At Good Shepherd Anglican Church, we stand as we listen to our pastor recite them every Sunday — immediately after the confession and absolution of sins and just before we turn to pass the peace with fellow worshippers.
The Comfortable Words are meant to assure believers of God’s forgiveness and grace through Christ.
I’ve been attending Episcopal and Anglican churches for about 35 years, and the Comfortable Words have never been a part of any of our Sunday worship services.
But ever since the Rev. David Libbon became our rector (lead pastor) earlier this year, we have heard them recited every Sunday.
And I don’t want to go back.
These four brief pieces of scripture are a spiritual anchor, reminding believers of what is always true, even when our feelings waver.
For non-believers, they reveal something they may never have heard before: the gospel and Christ’s compassion toward the weary, burdened and repentant. The words are an invitation.
History of the Comfortable Words
The Comfortable Words trace back to the first Book of Common Prayer of 1549, compiled by Thomas Cranmer during the English Reformation.
He gathered four short passages — each spoken by Christ or his apostles — to be read immediately after the pastor declares forgiveness:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15).
“If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2).
These verses together summarize the gospel: invitation, love, mercy and advocacy.
Cranmer called them “comfortable” not in the modern sense of cozy and physical ease, but from the 16th-century meaning of strengthening, supporting or consoling.
Cranmer intended for the words to bring assurance, especially to repentant and weary souls.
Nearly 500 years after Cranmer first placed them in the prayer book, the Comfortable Words remain as relevant as ever.
In an anxious, performance-driven world, they remind us that grace is not earned, but received. They invite both believer and skeptic to rest in the assurance that Christ’s work is finished and forgiveness is real.
That is why these few sentences, spoken near the heart of Anglican worship, still have power today.