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Insights into the Life, Ministry, and Challenges of the Apostle Paul
by Samuel E. Ward
February 6, 2011
Introduction
As this study enters
I. Paul's Defense of His Conduct and Ministry,
The major sections thus far have contained the following:
A. Paul's Introduction,
B. The Best Laid Plans Are Subject to Change,
C. The Best Response to an Issue at Hand,
D. The Bothersome Circumstances that Lead Paul to Macedonia,
E. The Basic Explanation of Paul's Apostolic Ministry,
Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry is very revealing. Often when we read or listen to someone defend their words or actions we come away feeling that this person must be tremendously insecure. That is hardly the case for Paul. The purpose of the defense is really an explanation that serves to teach us what our motives ought to be in representing Christ as well the purity and sincerity of the methods we use. The witness of Christ must be sincere, truthful, accurate, loving, and intent upon bringing all the attention to Christ for the purpose of winning others to Him and not to gain fans for ourselves.
The explanation of Paul's apostolic ministry has centered thus far on two main points:
1. The gospel Paul proclaims offers two distinct spiritual aromas,
2. The gospel Paul proclaims is preached with confidence and competence that comes from God,
Paul continues his explanation of his ministry into chapter four where he asserts that . . .
3. The gospel Paul proclaims is a privilege to preach and a mercy granted by God to him,
a. The knowledge that God has given Paul this privilege affects the spirit in which he ministers the gospel.
1) He does not lose heart.
2) He does not use deceptive methods or manipulation.
3) He does not misrepresent the content of God's word.
4) He confirms the rightness of his preaching to the conscience of men in the plain view of God.
b. The fact that the gospel is veiled to the perishing is not Paul's doing, but Satan's.
c. The fact that Jesus Christ is Lord compels Paul's team to proclaim Him as Lord and not promote themselves.
4. The gospel Paul proclaims is given to human vessels as proof it is God's power at work in them and not their own, 2 Cor 4:7-15.
W. Harold Mare, in his commentary on 2 Corinthians in the Expositor's Bible Commentary: New Testament, suggests that Paul draws the imagery used in the verses 8-12 from the gladiator contests held in various arenas in the Roman Empire.
a. As a spiritual gladiator (fighting the enemies of the gospel) Paul draws the following contrasting parallels:
1) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed.
2) We are perplexed, but not in despair.
3) We are persecuted, but not abandoned.
4) We are struck down, but not destroyed.
b. As a spiritual gladiator Paul always faced the probability of being put into a fight to the death so that Jesus might be revealed in him in some way to others' benefit.
c. As a spiritual gladiator Paul was prepared to meet death because of his confidence in the resurrection.
d. As a spiritual gladiator Paul sees his conflicts as an opportunity for God to show His grace to more people and observe God at work in Paul's ministry.
5. The gospel Paul proclaims contains encouragement enough for him to continue in the struggle, 2 Cor 4:16-18.
What do we observe from this passage? Consider these points.
a. God renews daily the strength that is lost the day before.
b. God rewards our light and momentary troubles with eternal glory that surpasses the troubles.
c. God reminds Paul to keep looking past the visible temporal to the invisible eternal where his true hope lies.
Applications
1. Do you view your ministry as Christ's witness a privilege, obligation, or an option? It should be recognized by all Christians as both their privilege and obligation, but never an option!
2. Are you intimidated by your fear that sharing the gospel might bring you some measure of discomfort or rejection from the world and for those reasons you are silent? Do not be!
3. Are you encouraged by God's promise that the glory that awaits the obedient saint who faithfully witnesses of the grace that Jesus Christ offers far outweighs any inconvenience, suffering, or loss that might be incurred in the performance of that witness? You should be!
4. Do you understand that you are not personally accountable for the decisions of others to reject Christ after you have witnessed to them? You are only required to be a witness.
Evaluate yourself in the light of these questions to gain some idea of the level of your commitment to represent Christ. It ought to be viewed as a privilege and an obligation, but never an option.
