In the first Letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, we have seen how
self-absorbed they were. Their lifestyle was filled with selfish attitudes and totally
controlled by self-centered activities. In 2 Corinthians we will see that they
had undergone some changes and Paul was following up on those changes. In the
process, he came up with two key themes for this epistle. Firstly, he shows us
that a Christian and his or her ministry are inseparable. Secondly, he tells us
that the purpose of ministry is always to serve and benefit others. We saw how
he changed his travel plan to accommodate others. Paul was always thinking of
others and how to benefit them. He saw difficulties and troubles as part and
parcel of his own training and equipping to serve others, who would also go
through difficulties in life.
Paul was concerned how his letter to them would be received. He knew
that their reception of the precious content of this letter, and their
readiness to be involved in ministry to others, would only occur when they are
committed to change tirelessly. Then, and only then, would they understand
Paul’s motives for ministry. Similarly, we must grow out of our own self-centeredness
too if we are to receive the truths in 2 Corinthians.
Conscious or not, every believer in Christ is
called into ministry. No Christian could employ someone else to do ministry on
his behalf. When believers face the judgment throne of God, all will be
appraised by the Father. They will be called to account for the gifts and
abilities that they had been given. They will be evaluated on how they have
exercised those gifts in Jesus’ name for the benefit of others. Christians will
be judged for their stewardship and the exercise of the gifts given, and not
for their sins which were already dealt with on Calvary. In this letter, Paul made
it clear that every of his attitude, action and experience must be understood
in terms of ministry to others in the body.
The first two verses of 2 Corinthians contain
a whole load of lessons. Valuable truths can be gleaned from Paul’s relationship
with Christ Jesus, Timothy, his co-worker and the Corinthian Christians whom he
was writing to. Paul called himself an apostle. It’s not about a title but a
role given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s not just a prestige but a
privilege. It’s not just a status symbol but a call to service. As an apostle
of Christ Jesus, what he spoke would be from Christ. And the people in his days
understood that perfectly. Besides, his apostleship was not a self-designated
one. Neither was it a position given by man. He received it by the will of God.
It was part of God’s plan for him. He was doing the very opposite of an apostle
till Christ confronted him on the road to Damascus.
Verse 1 also shows us how he regarded Timothy.
Although he was like a father to Timothy, yet he called him brother. And he
also wanted the Corinthians to treat him the same way. Hence he referred to Timothy
as our brother. His message was not only for the church of God in Corinth but
also for all the precious saints in the whole Achaia. The phrase, “…the church of
God…” speaks of the people of Corinth, whom God called into relationship with Him
through Christ. The word “saints” simply means sanctified ones. All believers
are saints because of the sanctifying work of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
The order of the two words grace and peace in
his greeting tells us that grace needs to precede peace. Without the grace of
God peace cannot be experienced. Grace comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. It
is God’s enablement to embrace the provision made for our redemption. Grace ensures
our relationship with God the Father resulting in the experience of peace with
Him.
As we reflect on Paul’s message to the
Corinthians in this second letter, let’s be geared up not just to know but to practice
the principles drawn from this writings. We must exercise wise stewardship of
the grace we are privileged to experience. Let’s embrace all that God has
installed for us in our discovery.
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