But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 3:13-15
We began our study of 2 Corinthians about 6 weeks ago. After introducing this letter, Paul expressed his comfort in hearing the news that the Corinthians had repented from their apostasy and turned back to God. He defended his integrity and character against those who had and continued to question it. He urged the Corinthians to reaffirm their love for those who had temporarily led them astray. He also described the glory of the New Covenant as exceedingly greater than that of the Old Covenant.
In chapter 4, Paul elaborates on several sources of encouragement and strength that serve to undergird and sustain his apostolic ministry. As Christians, we all become discouraged and feel defeated at times. Serving the Lord isn’t always easy, and can sometimes be stressful and exhausting. Paul felt this weight too, even more so in light of his circumstances, yet he remained wholeheartedly committed to his calling.
I. THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL (2 Cor. 4:1-6)
Having been entrusted by God with the ministry of teaching the New Covenant (as discussed in the previous chapter), and having received the mercy of God to effectively do so, Paul and his colleagues had committed to leave the sinful, shameful, hidden things of this world behind. They would not walk in craftiness or adulterate the word of God for their own benefit. Instead, they would live and preach the truth and thus be commended in the eyes of both God and man.
Paul reasoned that even if the gospel they proclaimed was veiled, it was veiled only to those who were perishing. Others were seeing and responding to it. This imagery refers back to the previous chapter. That said, the veil that blinded the eyes of unbelievers and prevented them from seeing the wondrous light of the glory of Christ was placed there by the god of this world (Satan). Paul and his friends were not responsible for its obstructing presence, and were not deterred by it either.
They preached that Jesus Christ was Lord and that they were His bondservants who ministered for His sake. The same God who created the universe and caused light to shine out of the darkness (Genesis 1:3-4) had shone His light in their hearts. As bearers of the light of the knowledge of God, they would boldly display the light of Jesus on their faces for all to see (again, a reference to the previous chapter).
II. THE POWER OF GOD (2 Cor. 4:7-12)
Paul equated the light of Christ that abided in their mortal bodies with treasure contained within earthen vessels. The indwelling presence of God empowered them to endure for the sake of the gospel, as their own strength was woefully insufficient. It enabled them to face every sort of affliction, yet not be crushed by them. It permitted them to be perplexed, but without despair. It allowed them to withstand persecution without being or feeling forsaken. It prevented them from being destroyed despite being repeatedly struck down. The all surpassing power of God sustained them in every situation and circumstance.
Though they regularly experienced a semblance of Christ’s physical pain when he was beaten and crucified, Paul and his friends also enjoyed the vigor and vitality of Jesus’ life when He was resurrected. Their lives in Christ contrasted starkly with the threats of death that they constantly faced for His Name's sake, similar to how a light shines more visibly on a dark canvas. Paul and his team were not being persecuted by God for being false prophets (as some had maliciously contended). Rather, they were being persecuted by the world for being faithful servants of God, who willingly faced death so that the church - including the Corinthians - might live.
III. THE SPIRIT OF FAITH (2 Cor. 4:13-15)
Paul quoted Psalm 116:10, in which the psalmist (believed by many to be David) declared his faith that God had delivered him from death. Paul and his fellow workers shared this same belief. Thus, they preached the message of Christ courageously knowingly that the same God who had raised Jesus from the grave would raise them also, as well as the saints in Corinth and all other Christians for that matter, and present them together on the last day.
The work that Paul and others like him were doing was in part for the sake of the Corinthians, but more broadly for the church at large. It was being done so that the grace of God, evidenced by the salvation of souls, might spread to more and more people. This expansion would be a cause for abundant thanksgiving that would bring glory to God. Beloved, this is a beautiful description of why we should strive to fulfill the Great Commission.
IV. THE HEART OF RESOLVE (2 Cor. 4:16-18)
Therefore, because they were illuminated by the light of the gospel, empowered by the strength of God, and impassioned by the spirit of faith, Paul and his colleagues were encouraged and did not lose heart. Though their earth bodies were slowly passing away, their inner man was being renewed day by day. The same is true for all born again Christians, and thus we can share in the same resolve that Paul felt.
The numerous and seemingly severe afflictions that Paul faced were, in fact, momentary and light compared to the eternal weight of glory before him. Thus, he and his colaborers chose not to focus on that which was seen - the short-lived hardships of this world, but rather on that which was unseen - the never-ending wonders of heaven. This is the perspective that all Christians should have (John 16:33).
CONCLUSION
Sometimes we do not appreciate the contributions of others because we don’t truly know the extent of their sacrifice. In our ignorance, we doubt their motives, question their actions, and even dismiss their affection. This was certainly the case in the on-again, off-again relationship between the Corinthians and Paul. Thus, Paul felt it necessary to inform them of the lengths he and his team had gone for their sake. This explanation was not intended to be boastful, but simply to increase their awareness. May we learn from the Corinthians to be careful about casting judgment upon others without knowing all the facts.
Lastly, let me repeat and emphasize a point that I made in the introduction of this sermon. Ministry and Christian service is hard work. Those who commit to live wholeheartedly for Christ will face hatred and persecution in this life (John 15:18-20). This is why the Lord fills us with His light, invigorates us with His strength, and lovingly sustains our often fragile faith. In Him we find the courage to persevere, the determination to overcome, and the fortitude to last…
We began our study of 2 Corinthians about 6 weeks ago. After introducing this letter, Paul expressed his comfort in hearing the news that the Corinthians had repented from their apostasy and turned back to God. He defended his integrity and character against those who had and continued to question it. He urged the Corinthians to reaffirm their love for those who had temporarily led them astray. He also described the glory of the New Covenant as exceedingly greater than that of the Old Covenant.
In chapter 4, Paul elaborates on several sources of encouragement and strength that serve to undergird and sustain his apostolic ministry. As Christians, we all become discouraged and feel defeated at times. Serving the Lord isn’t always easy, and can sometimes be stressful and exhausting. Paul felt this weight too, even more so in light of his circumstances, yet he remained wholeheartedly committed to his calling.
I. THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL (2 Cor. 4:1-6)
Having been entrusted by God with the ministry of teaching the New Covenant (as discussed in the previous chapter), and having received the mercy of God to effectively do so, Paul and his colleagues had committed to leave the sinful, shameful, hidden things of this world behind. They would not walk in craftiness or adulterate the word of God for their own benefit. Instead, they would live and preach the truth and thus be commended in the eyes of both God and man.
Paul reasoned that even if the gospel they proclaimed was veiled, it was veiled only to those who were perishing. Others were seeing and responding to it. This imagery refers back to the previous chapter. That said, the veil that blinded the eyes of unbelievers and prevented them from seeing the wondrous light of the glory of Christ was placed there by the god of this world (Satan). Paul and his friends were not responsible for its obstructing presence, and were not deterred by it either.
They preached that Jesus Christ was Lord and that they were His bondservants who ministered for His sake. The same God who created the universe and caused light to shine out of the darkness (Genesis 1:3-4) had shone His light in their hearts. As bearers of the light of the knowledge of God, they would boldly display the light of Jesus on their faces for all to see (again, a reference to the previous chapter).
II. THE POWER OF GOD (2 Cor. 4:7-12)
Paul equated the light of Christ that abided in their mortal bodies with treasure contained within earthen vessels. The indwelling presence of God empowered them to endure for the sake of the gospel, as their own strength was woefully insufficient. It enabled them to face every sort of affliction, yet not be crushed by them. It permitted them to be perplexed, but without despair. It allowed them to withstand persecution without being or feeling forsaken. It prevented them from being destroyed despite being repeatedly struck down. The all surpassing power of God sustained them in every situation and circumstance.
Though they regularly experienced a semblance of Christ’s physical pain when he was beaten and crucified, Paul and his friends also enjoyed the vigor and vitality of Jesus’ life when He was resurrected. Their lives in Christ contrasted starkly with the threats of death that they constantly faced for His Name's sake, similar to how a light shines more visibly on a dark canvas. Paul and his team were not being persecuted by God for being false prophets (as some had maliciously contended). Rather, they were being persecuted by the world for being faithful servants of God, who willingly faced death so that the church - including the Corinthians - might live.
III. THE SPIRIT OF FAITH (2 Cor. 4:13-15)
Paul quoted Psalm 116:10, in which the psalmist (believed by many to be David) declared his faith that God had delivered him from death. Paul and his fellow workers shared this same belief. Thus, they preached the message of Christ courageously knowingly that the same God who had raised Jesus from the grave would raise them also, as well as the saints in Corinth and all other Christians for that matter, and present them together on the last day.
The work that Paul and others like him were doing was in part for the sake of the Corinthians, but more broadly for the church at large. It was being done so that the grace of God, evidenced by the salvation of souls, might spread to more and more people. This expansion would be a cause for abundant thanksgiving that would bring glory to God. Beloved, this is a beautiful description of why we should strive to fulfill the Great Commission.
IV. THE HEART OF RESOLVE (2 Cor. 4:16-18)
Therefore, because they were illuminated by the light of the gospel, empowered by the strength of God, and impassioned by the spirit of faith, Paul and his colleagues were encouraged and did not lose heart. Though their earth bodies were slowly passing away, their inner man was being renewed day by day. The same is true for all born again Christians, and thus we can share in the same resolve that Paul felt.
The numerous and seemingly severe afflictions that Paul faced were, in fact, momentary and light compared to the eternal weight of glory before him. Thus, he and his colaborers chose not to focus on that which was seen - the short-lived hardships of this world, but rather on that which was unseen - the never-ending wonders of heaven. This is the perspective that all Christians should have (John 16:33).
CONCLUSION
Sometimes we do not appreciate the contributions of others because we don’t truly know the extent of their sacrifice. In our ignorance, we doubt their motives, question their actions, and even dismiss their affection. This was certainly the case in the on-again, off-again relationship between the Corinthians and Paul. Thus, Paul felt it necessary to inform them of the lengths he and his team had gone for their sake. This explanation was not intended to be boastful, but simply to increase their awareness. May we learn from the Corinthians to be careful about casting judgment upon others without knowing all the facts.
Lastly, let me repeat and emphasize a point that I made in the introduction of this sermon. Ministry and Christian service is hard work. Those who commit to live wholeheartedly for Christ will face hatred and persecution in this life (John 15:18-20). This is why the Lord fills us with His light, invigorates us with His strength, and lovingly sustains our often fragile faith. In Him we find the courage to persevere, the determination to overcome, and the fortitude to last…