Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians: This Ministry, 4:1-2

I'm back from vacation, kicking off a week later than I promised!

This Ministry

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

Apparently Paul is in a dilemma with his authority being opposed by itinerate “apostles” who practice Sophist rhetoric and boast about themselves in Corinth. Needing to make a case for himself, he turns to what Plutarch calls “inoffensive self-praise.” Paul wants his converts neither to praise him nor ignore him, so he praises himself in a way that is consistent with his principal that one should boast only in the Lord. This means he will boast of his own weakness and suffering in order to show that his triumphs must result from God’s work through him.

Paul has a ministry to the Corinthians given to him by God, and even though it has proven to be a difficult ministry, he will not lose heart in it or in the Corinthians because it is God’s call on his life. Paul knows that if such a sinner and murderer as he can be transformed by God, then so can they. He also states that he will not manipulate God’s word to suit himself or the Corinthians. He speaks with a transparent declaration of the truth and not in veiled or mysterious utterances as some of the practitioners of pagan religions did. There is no “secret knowledge” in Christianity.

Grant, O God,

that I may speak so boldly

and so lovingly

that the greatness of Christ

may shine out clearly in my person,

through the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.

Donald Coggan, former Archbishop of Canterbury, 1909-2000