2 Corinthians
Introduction
The letter of 2nd Corinthians was technically written as the 3rd letter to the Corinthians, with one in-between being lost in history (2:1, 12:14, 13:1). Paul writes this letter to console this church whom he previously had to correct. It is in this book that we recognize what correction and true repentance looks like, “for godly sorrow worketh repentance” (7:10). Just because a person or a church needs the course correction of the first letter to the Corinthians, doesn’t mean that they will stay that way forever, for the can “recover themselves out of the snare of the devil” (2 Tim 2:26) and be restored to Christian fellowship, as was the excommunicated Corinthian (1 Cor 5:1) who was later restored (2:5-8).
This letter is Paul’s most personal writing and shows us the great care he had for the Corinthian church, whom was his joy (2:3), epistle (3:2), children (6:13), and he had done all things for (12:19). Paul is a great example of a pastor who has a longstanding relationship with people who have struggled to get right and stay right. He wrote to the Corinthians more than any other church, and even though he was stern with them, he was willing to die for them (7:3), and wanted them to be exalted (11:7).
Though Paul loved the Corinthians very much, he felt the need to prove his status as an apostle by pointing to his sufferings (11:21-31) and to the Corinthian believers (3:2) as evidence for his ministry. There still remained a defiant group of devilish workers there, who had been “transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (v13), so it was important for him to regain his status as their founding pastor and prepare them for his next coming visit (12:20,13:2).
2 CORINTHIANS 1 – Comfort and Rejoicing in the Corinthians
V1-7 Tribulation and Comfort
It is fitting that Paul introduces God to the Corinthian church as “the God of all comfort” (v3) because of the turmoil that this church had been through. As we will learn in this letter, that had been “made sorry after a godly manner” (7:9). They would need the comfort that the Lord would provide to them, “who comforteth us in all our tribulation” (v4). What the Corinthians would struggle with was insignificant in comparison to that of the apostles, which was by design as the great apostle would save them from trouble, yet all who are comforted by God are able to use their learned experiences to “comfort them which are in any trouble” (v4). Even if we have not been through what someone else is, we can provide comfort by extension of the comfort we’ve received from the Lord.
The apostles saw their “sufferings” (v5) and “affliction” (v6) for Christ as benefiting the Corinthians, “it is for your consolation and salvation” (v6). There is no telling how the Lord will use what is happening to you in the life of others. It could be to their salvation, which the mature believer, with the heart of the apostle Paul would rejoice in. Our suffering is never wasted, “as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation” (v7). God will always use it for some good (Rom 8:28).
Paul here begins to reveal how much he has suffered in the ministry, and for the Corinthian’s sake, “we were pressed out of measure” and “despaired even of life” (v8). These phrases reveal to us how hopeless some of his situations had become. Even still though, in these times of desperation, said that him and his team, “had the sentence of death in ourselves… not to trust in ourselves” (v9). In times of trouble there can be great temptation to fall back on our own thinking instead of pressing ahead in faith to believe, “in God which ariseth the dead” (v9). Paul was “delivered” from “so great a death” (v10) enough times that he trusted the Lord would do it again for him, “in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (v10).
Though Paul had his critics in Ephesus, many of them had been praying for him, “ye also helping together by prayer for us” (v11), which could have been the reason he was able to escape some of his harrowing situations. We never know how God is truly using our prayers – especially in the lives of people we don’t see every day. We can still pray and ‘help’, even if we aren’t there!
V12-14 Character at Corinth
Paul reminds the Corinthians of his manner with them, it was “in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom” (v12), which is consistent with his account of his first visit with them, when he “came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom” (1 Cor 2:1). He kept a “conversation” according to his “conscience” (v12) that would benefit the Corinthians and keep them trusting in the “grace of God” rather than the fleshy show that Corinth had turned into (1 Cor 14:26).
Paul’s heart for Corinth comes out here, as he says they would be his rejoicing “in the day of the Lord Jesus” (v14). For all that the Corinthians had messed up, they were still the “offering up of the Gentiles” (Rom 15:16) that Paul would rejoice in. These Corinthian believers were saved because of his investment, and he was able to look forward to the day when both he and the Corinthians would be in the presence of the Lord together. This should make us think: who do we look forward to seeing in heaven that we were used by God to lead to Christ?
V15-20 Plans and Changes
It would seem Paul had a plan to visit the Corinth church that didn’t happen, “I was minded to come unto you” (v15), in which he planned to “pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you” before finally heading to “Judaea” (v16). These plans were foiled, and it seemed to affect the Corinthians who saw Paul as inconsistent, though Paul says he did not “use lightness” (v17) in arranging these travels and that he did not “purpose according to the flesh” (v17), so he was asking the Corinthians to take him for his word. He says there should be “yea yea” and “nay nay” (v17), in the life of a Christian, so also says Jesus, “let your communication be, yea, yea” (Matt 5:37) and James, “let your yea be yea” (James 5:12). He did not intend to confuse the Corinthians when his travel plans changed, yet at times we must remain flexible, especially in ministry.
Paul pointed to his character to prove that his inconsistency was not normal, “our word toward you was not yea and nay” (v18). We ought to trust those who have regular and consistent character, so that when they don’t come through, we know it isn’t normal for them and could give them the benefit of the doubt.
Paul pointed to his message to prove his character as well. He says that Jesus Christ whom they preached “was not yea and nay, but in him was yea” (v19). Paul, along with “Timotheus” (v19) were consistently preaching the same message and pointing the Corinthians to an unchanging God whose “promises” are all “yea” (v20). Even when men like the apostles fail to follow through with what they say, God has given us His word that He will never fail and that He will “stablisheth us with you in Christ” (v21), who has given us “the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (v22). Though life’s circumstances rage, and our leadership seems unclear, we have the surety of God’s indwelling presence in the believer (Eph 1:13, 4:30, Col 1:27).
It was apparently better for the Corinthians that Paul didn’t visit in the first place, “to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth” (v23). It would seem Paul would have come with an intensity of spirit that would have been harmful to them and he did not want to domineer them, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith” (v24). It may be wise for leaders to refrain themselves from a situation while they are zealous for it so that they do not come off too harshly. Leaders ought to always remember that they are “helpers of your joy” (v24). We cannot always be happy and cheerful, and we should not avoid difficult issues, but if our goal is to help others grow in their walk with God then we need to be wise about our timing and manner when addressing issues.
2 CORINTHIANS 2 – The Purpose of Writing
This chapter gives us great insight into Paul’s reason for writing (v3, 9) and reveals his heart to restore the Corinthians. While they needed to experience great sorrow for their correction, they remained his “joy” (v3) and he encouraged them to forgive each other (v10).
V1-4 Writing for Correction
Paul continued to explain that he did not want to “come again to you in heaviness” (v1), for he knew that there were issues to be addressed at Corinth. His presence would “make you sorry” so instead he “wrote this same unto you” (v3, 9). He wanted rather “to rejoice” (v3) at his coming and have “confidence in you all” because the Corinthians were, “my joy” (v3). This incredible attitude is retained by Paul throughout this whole letter. We must be careful to retain joy in our hearts for the people we minister to so that we can be sensitive as we address issues in their lives.
He says the letter that he wrote was “out of much affliction and anguish of heart” and “with many tears” (v4) because of the corrective way in which he had to address the carnal and divisive issues in the Corinthian church. His intent was not to make the Corinthians feel bad, but instead reprove them, which was an act of love, “that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you” (v4). True love is willing to wound for the sake of healing (Prov 27:6). Like Paul, true love will empathize with those we minister to, “with many tears” (v4), yet still valuing the latter end of correction, will move forward in faith.
V5-11 Restoration and Forgiveness
Here Paul refers to the person(s) mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5, which were disciplined out of the church for their fornication. Though they had “caused grief” (v5), it was only “in part” (v5) and Paul and the Corinthians were able to move forward because the offenders had repented of their actions. When a fellow brother is disciplined out of Christian fellowship, but then repents, we ought to be ready and willing to “forgive him, and comfort him” (v7) for their sake, lest they be “swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (v7). The work of church discipline was intended to expel the carnal Christian to the consequences of their sin (1 Cor 5:5). Thankfully, we have this section of the bible to help us see that it can work to restore “restore such an one” (Gal 6:1).
This punishment was “sufficient” (v6) and upon repentance, the Corinthians were commanded toward the offender, “confirm your love toward him” (v8). Once God’s judgment has done its work to humble another believer, we have no right to further hold a grudge against them, “lest Satan should get an advantage of us” (v11).
Satan can work on both sides of church discipline, to destroy the sinful Christian, and also to destroy the fellowship of the church upon restoration - if there remains unforgiveness. Forgiveness is then a weapon in spiritual warfare. We cannot afford to have a lack of forgiveness in our lives - not only because it will affect our relationships, but because it gives our adversary an upper hand in our spiritual life. The only way Christians can truly forgive, even the most horrific of offenses, is “in the person of Christ” (v10). If it were not for Christ, and if we instead were keeping our own righteousness we could judge, but because Christ paid for our sins just as well as theirs, the cross reminds us that forgiveness is an obligatory Christian duty (Eph 4:32).
V12-17 Transitional Ministry in Troas
Here Paul pulls back the curtain on his ministry, as he will do many times in this letter. He lets the Corinthians know that he was previously in Troas “to preach Christ’s gospel” where a “door opened” (v12) unto him. Yet even though Troas was open, Paul did not have peace about his ministry there and had “no rest” in his spirit (v13). It would seem that he was expecting to find Titus there, “because I found not Titus my brother” (v13) and so he left Troas, “taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia” (v13). This is an interesting scenario because we find in Troas an open door, but a lack of peace. It may be that the Lord opens up a ministry that we are unable to fulfill because of our circumstances. We know that a church was eventually formed in Troas, as Paul met with disciples there on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:5-12).
Even though Paul went into Macedonia discouraged, he did not let his feelings shake his faith, “thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (v14). Christians should always have a perspective of victory because even in tough times, we are in Jesus Christ and God will use us as a “savour…in every place” (v14). Whether our circumstances are good or bad, the Lord goes with us and uses us as a “savour of death” (v16) to some and a “savour of life” (v16) to others. God sees all Christians that walk with Him as “a sweet savour of Christ” (v15), especially to the saved, but our Christian witness to the lost is also a savoury display “in them that perish” (v15). Christian don’t lose your savour, for it is what makes you desirable in every situation (Luke 14:34).
Paul wanted the Corinthians to remember that the apostles were not ‘corrupting the word of God’, as some others in their church were (11:3-4, 13), but rather they spoke with “sincerity… as of God” (v17). He brings God’s witness into account, “in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (v17). This ought to be the thought of every Christian. Whenever we open our mouths we ought to consider that we represent the Lord. The only way to hold the balance of grace and truth is to invoke the presence of God in the Holy Spirit to help us determine what to say and when to say it. Paul’s comparison was with false teachers, who would “corrupt” God’s word (v17), for which every Christian should be on the lookout.
2 CORINTHIANS 3 – The Spirit vs the Law
Chapter 3 helps us remember that our confidence doesn’t rest in who we are or the way others view us, but we are sufficient only in the Lord. By His grace we have been given His Holy Spirit which is greater than anything experienced by saints before the resurrection. Christ is a stumbling block to Israel, which can only be taken away by salvation, which will transform them, and anyone else who believes, “from glory to glory” (v18).
V1-6 – Trusting God for Commendation
Paul did not need “letters of commendation” (v1) to prove his apostleship to the Corinthians, for he said they were the very proof of his ministry, “ye are our epistle written in our hearts” (v2). This shows the very close way that Paul held this church in his heart, and that was demonstrated to others as they were “known and read of all men” (v2). At some point, our investment in other people is a witness of itself, and is proof of God using us. Instead of requiring that people give us titles, we ought to simply point to the people that we know and love in ministry, who have grown under our hand.
Paul’s ministry to the Corinthians wasn’t just in caring for them, for they were “written not with in, but with the Spirit of the living God” (v3). He “planted” (1 Cor 3:6) Corinth and led them to Christ, so he made the greatest investment of all in them: the gospel and new life. There was an inward proof that the Corinthians now had in the “tables of the heart” (v3), for they now had the word of God and the Spirit of God to bear witness of the truth (John 16:13) and Paul’s authentic apostleship.
He did not need to “trust” (v4) in himself to accomplish his ministry, but instead allowed his “sufficiency” to be of God (v4). Paul is a great example to us that God has made us “able ministers of the new testament” (v6). We need not look to credentials or even an academic knowledge of “the letter” (v6), but rather always be in a place of faith to trust God in His Spirit and by His word. Simply leaning on the fundamentals of ministry, like the law, “the letter” will not produce spiritual life! Only dependence on God, “but our sufficiency is of God” (v6) and “the spirit” will give life (v6)!
V7-13 – Comparing Ministrations
There are two ‘ministrations’ compared here, which word means ‘ministry’: the “ministration of death” (v7) and the “ministration of the spirit” (v8). They are a comparison of the Mosaic law and the Old Testament sacrificial system and the ministry of the New Testament which was founded upon the “death of the testator” (Heb 9:16). The law, called above, “the letter” (v6), had no ability to save (Heb 10:11), for it only revealed sin, not atoned for it (Rom 3:20).
The first ministration under Moses was still “glorious” (v7), as the illustration of Moses is given, that his face shined (v7), but that glory was temporary and “was to be done away” (v7), for which Moses “put a vail over his face” (v13) to hide that his glory had faded. There was still glory there, but in comparison to that of the “ministration of the righteousness”, it failed to compare, because it would “exceed in glory” (v9). Christians then are able to glory in something greater than any saint in the Old Testament could – we have something greater than they!
V14-18 – Removing the Vail
Moses’ vail continues to be an illustration as Paul uses it to describe the condition of the unsaved Jews. The lost man, especially the Jew, has a ‘blinded mind’ when they read the scriptures. Although the Jews use many of the same scriptures as Christians, they cannot actually see Christ in their bible because “the vail is upon their heart” (v15). If you have ever tried to share the gospel with a Jew, you have likely experienced this. Even “in the reading of the old testament” (v14), the vail remains, and it can only be “done away in Christ” (v14). When a person is born again they are given the “Spirit of the Lord” (v17, Eph 1:13) and are able to discern spiritual things. When a Jew is saved “the vail shall be taken away” (v16), but only in the Lord’s power, “when it shall turn to the Lord” (v16).
This gives Christians exclusive access to a greater glory than Moses experiences. We have the liberty of the Spirit (v17) and are able to behold “the glory of the Lord” (v18). In Moses day, that was limited – the whole congregation did not get to experience what he did, and even then it faded. We now get the privilege of being “changed… from glory to glory” (v18). But how?
The ”glass” (v18) is a picture of the word of God. That is how we see and experience the glory of God! James calls reading the word of God looking into “the perfect law of liberty” (James 1:22-25). As we look into the mirror of God’s word, it reflects back to us the image of the “natural face” and reveals that we are sinful people in comparison to “the glory of the Lord” (v18). When we read the bible submitted to “the Spirit of the Lord”, and allow Him to teach us, the word of God accomplishes its work to sanctify (John 17:17), transform (Rom 12:2), and change us “from glory to glory” (v18).
Chapter 4 – The Apostle’s Ministry
Chapter 4 gives us great insight into the spiritual realities of the world we live in. It is clouded by darkness for most, as the unbeliever is unable to see spiritual realities, yet in contrast, those that have been saved are bold to speak the gospel, even under great persecution. Because of the new realities of the Christian life, we count our troubles as “light affliction” (v17) as we look forward to the day when our faith becomes sight in eternity.
V1-6 – The Gospel’s Hiddenness
Those that have been born again ought to live their lives differently. Like the apostles, we have “received mercy” and a “ministry” (v1) which ought to be conducted in accordance with Christian character, having “renounced the hidden things of dishonesty” (v2), along with “craftiness” and deceit. Christian ministers have a duty to handle “the word of God” (v2) and we must do so to the highest level of transparency, “by the manifestation of the truth” (v2). To manifest is to reveal. It is our job to reveal the truth of the gospel to the people around us in such a way that it is honest and clear before two audiences: “every man’s conscience” and “in the sight of God” (v2). While we seek not to please men, we do not want to offend in our lifestyle or our delivery, lest we be a “castaway” (1 Cor 9:27). Though at times we can fool men into thinking that we have it all together, we must also be honest with God as we “study to shew ourselves approved unto God” (2 Tim 2:15) in the handling of His word.
If people will hear and believe the gospel and the word of God they will be saved (Rom 10:17, Eph 1:13), but if it is rejected, it will remain hidden, “but if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost” (v3). A lost man is unable to ascertain the true meaning of the word of God because they do not have the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:14). In this state, they are considered “blinded” in their minds by Satan himself, who is called the “god of this world” (v4). Spiritual blindness is the state of any unbeliever, and is even further enforced upon rejection of the gospel (John 12:40), yet God is still able to penetrate our darkness, who, “shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God” (v6) so that we could believe. Although all men are born spiritually blind, all are given enough light to respond to God, for even the ‘unrighteous’ are able to “clearly” see that God exists (Rom 1:19-21). God is the one that works in the heart as He draws us to His Son (John 12:32).
V7-12 – Apostolic Troubles
Here the great apostle again pulls back the curtain on his difficulties in the ministry. He reveals his frailty, “we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (v7), meaning that our weak human bodies have been chosen by God as the place in which He has decided to take up residency. The power that we possess in the new creature is, “of God, and not of us” (v7). This enabled the apostles to endure trouble (v8), perplexity (v8), persecution (v9) and abandonment (v9). In all of Paul’s troubles, he was not discouraged and sought to live like Jesus, “always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus” (v10). When we compare our sufferings to what Christ went through, we have no reason to complain, and yet in our sufferings we can display Him prominently, “that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (v11). What a wonder it is that God would reveal Himself to the world through those “earthen vessels” (v7)! Is He doing that through you? Do people see Christ living in you through your troubles?
Quoting from Psalm 116, Paul essentially says “we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20), stating that his boldness to speak the word of God was because of his faith, “we also believe, and therefore speak” (v13). This is a normal and fundamental principle in Christianity – those that believe the gospel share it with others. Psalm 116 is fitting because it also has great themes of suffering and trusting in God. Paul gives us a glimpse here of eternity, “the Lord Jesus shall raise up us… and present us with you” (v14), which he will reveal more clearly in the succeeding verses (v17-18).
All of Paul’s troubles were worth it to him, not just for the Lord, but for the Corinthians, “death worketh in us, but life in you” (v12), and “all things are for your sakes” (v15). It takes a lot of Christian maturity for one Christian to suffer for the betterment of another! He says, “we faint not” (v16) in trouble because there are greater realities than suffering. Here we learn 2 things that will help us in times of trouble:
The Reality of the Inward Man
Although our natural bodies will grow weary and eventually perish, “we faint not” (v16), because “the inward man is renewed day by day” (v16). This is the “new creature” (2 Cor 5:17), which is also called the “new man” (Col 3:10) and the “inner man” (Eph 3:16). It is the “circumcision made without hands” (Col 2:11), in which our inward man has been born again and united with Christ, yet still living inside of our natural body. Because of this reality, Christians have a supernatural internal strength, because the presence of God renews us “day by day” (v16).
The Reality of Eternal Things
Christians also live with the reality of eternity in mind. Although the apostles suffered greatly, they considered it “light affliction, which is but for a moment” (v17) - this isn’t even including the full list of their trials (2 Cor 11:24-28). They were able to “look not at the things which are seen” (v18) and instead focus on what was even more real to them: eternity. They foresaw the day in which they would receive a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (v17). They looked forward to the day in which we are all “raised up” (v14) together. This perspective is only possible when our focus changes from the “temporal” to the “eternal” (v18). If the apostles could do it under great duress, how can we not focus on “things above” (Col 3:2)? This is only possible as we feed the new creature the word of God to renew our minds and get a clearer image of that day (Col 3:10).
2 CORINTHIANS 5 - New Bodies and Judgment Seat
V1-8 Future State
This chapter continues Paul’s thought from the previous one on the comparison of the physical world and the spiritual world. He was able to endure affliction because he had the hope of a future body, which he already told the Corinthians about (1 Cor 15). He uses a few familiar words to describe the physical body, “our earthly house” and “this tabernacle” (v1), both of which are dwelling places, but they pale in comparison to our future state in the “building of God” (v1). God has prepared for all believers “an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (v1).
Once we understand the difference in our physical body and what is to come, it causes us to “groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (v2). The limitations of our physical body, “being burdened” (v4), make us long for our glorification when, “mortality might be swallowed up in life” (v4). We need these reminders for they encourage us, especially in our affliction.
God has given us the “earnest of the Spirit” (v5), which is His presence dwelling inside of us, but it is not fully realized, as we are not completely in the presence of God, “wear are absent from the Lord” (v6). Our current life is one of faith, “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (v7), but one day our faith WILL become sight. On that day, the day of our death, we will be “clothed” (v4) by a new body and be “present with the Lord” (v8).
V9-13 Judgment Seat
If such a glorious state awaits us, should we just sit around and wait for death? No way! “Wherefore we labour”, that whether present of absent, we may be accepted of him” (v9). Although all Christians are guaranteed a new body and a home in heaven based upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ, we all have a job to do in evangelizing the world and we will also give an account of “the things done in his body”(v10). The Christian has a reckoning with God upon their death, though it be not for judgment of sin. It is called “the judgment seat of Christ” (v10), where “we must all appear” (v10). This is called “the terror of the Lord” (v11), the fact that every Christian will stand before God in judgment “according to that he hath done” (v10). This judgment is not about getting into heaven or judging sin, it is a stewardship of deeds done in the current body after salvation (1 Cor 3:11-15).
Paul said that he lived to the same standard of accountability “unto God” (v11) and unto man, “made manifest in your consciences” (v11). Yes, the Lord knows our actions, and we will be rewarded one day in glory if our work “abide” (1 Cor 3:14) God’s inspection, but we also have people around us every day that are watching and examining our character and our ministry. We do not “glory in appearance” (v12), and should not boast of our works before others – Paul said, “we commended not ourselves… unto you” (v12) but rather let the Corinthains do their own bragging on Paul, “but give you occasion to glory on our behalf” (v12). It’s a good reminder of the old proverb, “let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth” (Prov 27:2). All that Paul did was for the betterment of the Corinthians, “it is for your cause” (v13), no matter how it may look to his critics.
2 CORINTHIANS 5 - New Bodies and Judgment Seat
Chapter 5 is a good comparison of the physical and the spiritual. In it we find a desire to be “clothed upon”(v2) with the realities of life after death, to be in the presence of God, but instead the focus of this chapter shifts to a day of reckoning when Christians will give an account to the Lord for their stewardship after salvation. We are reminded of the change that happened at salvation and that God has given us a “ministry”(v18) to accomplish. So long as we are “in this tabernacle” (v4) of our physical body, there is work to be done in seeking the lost as Christ did.
V1-8 Our Future State
This chapter continues Paul’s thought from the previous one on the comparison of the physical world and the spiritual world. He was able to endure affliction because he had the hope of a future body, which he already told the Corinthians about (1 Cor 15). He uses a few familiar words to describe the physical body, “our earthly house” and “this tabernacle” (v1), both of which are dwelling places, but they pale in comparison to our future state in the “building of God” (v1). God has prepared for all believers “an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (v1).
Once we understand the difference in our physical body and what is to come, it causes us to “groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (v2). The limitations of our physical body, “being burdened” (v4), make us long for our glorification when, “mortality might be swallowed up in life” (v4). We need these reminders for they encourage us, especially in our affliction.
God has given us the “earnest of the Spirit” (v5), which is His presence dwelling inside of us, but it is not fully realized, as we are not completely in the presence of God, “wear are absent from the Lord” (v6). Our current life is one of faith, “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (v7), but one day our faith WILL become sight. On that day, the day of our death, we will be “clothed” (v4) by a new body and be “present with the Lord” (v8).
V9-13 The Judgment Seat
If such a glorious state awaits us, should we just sit around and wait for death? No way! “Wherefore we labour”, that whether present of absent, we may be accepted of him” (v9). Although all Christians are guaranteed a new body and a home in heaven based upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ, we all have a job to do in evangelizing the world and we will also give an account of “the things done in his body”(v10). The Christian has a reckoning with God upon their death, though it is not for judgment of sin. It is called “the judgment seat of Christ” (v10), where “we must all appear” (v10). This is called
“the terror of the Lord” (v11), the fact that every Christian will stand before God in judgment “according to that he hath done” (v10). This judgment is not about getting into heaven or judging sin, it is a stewardship of deeds done in the current body after salvation (1 Cor 3:11-15).
Paul said that he lived to the same standard of accountability “unto God” (v11) and unto man, “made manifest in your consciences” (v11). Yes, the Lord knows our actions, and we will be rewarded one day in glory if our work “abide” (1 Cor 3:14) God’s inspection, but we also have people around us every day that are watching and examining our character and our ministry. We do not “glory in appearance” (v12), and should not boast of our works before others – Paul said, “we commended not ourselves… unto you” (v12) but rather let the Corinthians do their own bragging on Paul, “but give you occasion to glory on our behalf” (v12). It’s a good reminder of the old proverb, “let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth” (Prov 27:2). All that Paul did was for the betterment of the Corinthians, “it is for your cause” (v13), no matter how it may have looked to his critics.
V14-21 Ministry of the New Creature
The love of Jesus Christ is such a compelling force to those that believe in Him, that it “contraineth us” (v14), meaning that it urges us to share it with others. If we would just consider, “that he died for all” (v15), meaning that Jesus Christ died for the sins of every person on the planet, then this love would move us to action. Believers have an obligation not to “live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (v15). A basic understanding of the gospel is enough to compel any believer to share it with the lost.
When a person believes the gospel, they become “a new creature” and their old life and identify have “passed away” (v17), having now been immersed “in Christ” (v17). The life of the new creature has “become new” and is “of God” (v18). For this reason it doesn’t matter how we feel about sharing the gospel – our old life is dead, having been ”crucified with Christ” (Gal 2:20). Every believer has now been given the “ministry of reconciliation” to help the world become “reconciled to God” (v20).
We accomplish this through our ambassadorship, “we are ambassadors for Christ” (v20), as we serve “in Christ’s stead” (v20). It is the job of Christians to bring “good new from a far country” (Prov 25:25). We represent God and His kingdom, which is not a part of the physical world (John 18:36). We share the “word of reconciliation” (v19), that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself” (V19). That is the good news! And it is news that you only find in the Christian bible. Therefore our “word” is not our own, but it is the seed of the word of God that we “cast abroad” (Isa 28:25), enabling people to believe and have faith (Rom 10:17).
The Corinthians would have understood what Paul was saying, “as though God did beseech you buy us”(v20), meaning that God used Paul and others to reach them with the saving message of the gospel. The means of salvation, though supernatural, are not mystical or dramatic. They are through men and women who will share the saving message with others. In this way, God is literally ‘beseeching’ the lost through Christians. He seeks out sinners through saints. Friends, if Christians will not share the gospel, it will be impossible for God to save the world because sharing His word is necessary in the process of being “born again” (1 Pet 1:23). Who is God reaching through you?