Endurance in Suffering (2 Corinthians 4:13-18)
This companion page unpacks Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, a profound exploration of faith, ministry, and God's character amidst human weakness. It invites readers to understand the historical context and timeless themes of this important biblical book.
This sermon delves into Paul's letter of Second Corinthians, emphasizing endurance through suffering as a mark of authentic ministry and highlighting God's elaborate grace and active pursuit of reconciliation.
Overview
The sermon explores the historical and cultural context of Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, written around 54-55 AD to a diverse group of churches. Paul addressed concerns arising from false teachers who questioned his ministry, while also preparing the Corinthians for his upcoming visit.
A central theme of the letter is endurance in suffering, which Paul presents not as a detriment, but as a normal and authentic part of Christian life and ministry. He uses the imagery of 'treasure in terracotta' (clay jars) to illustrate how the gospel's power is displayed through fragile human vessels.
The book also delves into the nature of true gospel ministry, emphasizing that competence comes from God and is empowered by the Holy Spirit within the new covenant. It contrasts this with outward showmanship, drawing on the image of Moses' veiled face to show how all believers now behold the Lord with unveiled faces, being transformed from glory to glory.
Furthermore, the sermon highlights God's character as the "God of all comfort" who offers elaborate, "prodigal" grace. It also emphasizes God's humility in sending ambassadors to us for reconciliation, actively pursuing a relationship with humanity rather than waiting for us to initiate.
Key points
- Paul wrote Second Corinthians around 54-55 AD to a collection of house churches in the Corinthian region.
- The letter addresses false teachers who questioned Paul's ministry and prepares the churches for his arrival.
- A primary theme is endurance in suffering, which Paul portrays as a natural and even validating aspect of authentic Christian ministry.
- Paul uses the imagery of 'treasure in terracotta' (clay jars) to explain how the gospel's power is evident through human weakness.
- The book discusses giving in chapters 8 and 9, encouraging cheerful and sacrificial contributions that multiply ministry.
- Second Corinthians teaches that true Christian ministry is empowered by the Holy Spirit within the new covenant, not human ability.
- God is presented as the "God of all comfort" and a God of elaborate, proactive grace, who sends ambassadors to appeal for reconciliation.
In Rick Warren's words
“It's not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God who made us confident as ministers of the new covenant.”
“We are ambassadors for Christ.”
Outline
- I. Introduction to Second Corinthians
- A. Paul's Faith and Motivation (2 Corinthians 4:13-18)
- B. Historical Context of the Letter
- 1. Date: Late 54, early 55 AD
- 2. Recipient: Churches throughout the Corinthian region
- 3. Purpose: Addressing false teachers and preparing for Paul's visit
- 4. The 'Fourth Letter' to the Corinthians
- C. Communication in the Ancient World
- D. Overarching Theme: Endurance in Suffering
- II. Structure and Flow of Second Corinthians
- A. Chapters 1-7: Preparing for Paul's Coming by Embracing Apostolic Ministry
- 1. Explaining Paul's change of travel plans
- 2. Theology of authentic ministry (2 Corinthians 2:14-7:1)
- B. Chapters 8-9: Preparing the Collection for Jerusalem
- 1. Encouraging readiness for sacrificial, cheerful giving
- C. Chapters 10-13: Addressing False Teachers and Authenticating Paul's Ministry
- III. Key Themes in Second Corinthians
- A. Suffering as a Mark of Authentic Christian Ministry
- 1. Experience of death in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)
- 2. Treasure in terracotta (2 Corinthians 4:7)
- 3. Normal Christian life and pushback from the world
- B. Giving (Chapters 8-9)
- 1. Sacrificial, cheerful giving that multiplies ministry
- C. Spirit-Empowered New Covenant Ministry
- 1. Competence from God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)
- 2. Unveiled faces beholding the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Exodus 34)
- D. The Participatory Nature of God's Work (God, then us, then God through us)
- IV. What Second Corinthians Teaches Us
- A. About God
- 1. The God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), offering encouraging, elaborate grace
- 2. The King sending ambassadors for reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20), showing God's humility
- B. About Ourselves
- 1. Being shaped by cultural context versus gospel values
- 2. The metaphors of humans as clay jars and tents
- 3. Transferable lessons from Corinthian cultural challenges (e.g., patron system)
- V. Concluding Encouragement
- A. Focus on the beauty of endurance
- B. The hope of resurrection life and perspective in difficulties
- C. We never give up (2 Corinthians 4:1, 4:16)
Scripture references
- 2 Corinthians 4:13-18
- 1 Corinthians 5
- 2 Corinthians 11
- 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
- 2 Corinthians 4:7
- 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
- 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
- Exodus 34
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
- Romans 5
- 2 Corinthians 5:20
- 2 Corinthians 5
- 2 Corinthians 2:14-16A
- 2 Corinthians 4:1
- 2 Corinthians 4:16
- 2 Corinthians 9
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
2 And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Insights
Suffering marks authentic Christian life, revealing trust in God.
God's comfort is not passive, but actively encourages us forward.
Real ministry is empowered by the Spirit, not human showmanship.
Questions & answers
What is the primary message of Second Corinthians?
The primary message of Second Corinthians, as discussed in the sermon, is the importance of endurance in suffering, seen as a defining characteristic of authentic Christian ministry. It also highlights God's abundant grace and His initiative in seeking reconciliation with humanity.
Why did Paul write Second Corinthians to the churches in Corinth?
Paul wrote Second Corinthians to address the infiltration of false teachers who were questioning the validity of his apostolic ministry. He also intended for the letter to prepare the diverse Corinthian churches for his upcoming visit, urging them to get ready for his coming by embracing his ministry, preparing a collection for Jerusalem, and dealing with the false teachers.
How does Second Corinthians address the theme of suffering?
Second Corinthians positions suffering not as a sign of weakness, but as a normal and authentic aspect of Christian life and ministry. Paul uses the image of 'treasure in terracotta' (clay jars) to illustrate that the gospel's power is revealed through human fragility and challenges, compelling believers to trust in God who raises the dead.
What does the sermon say about God's character based on Second Corinthians?
The sermon reveals God as the 'God of all comfort' who offers encouraging, elaborate, and even 'prodigal' grace, going beyond what is expected. He is also depicted as a humble King who actively sends ambassadors to us, appealing for reconciliation, rather than waiting for us to come to Him.
What is the significance of the 'ambassadors for Christ' passage in Second Corinthians 5:20?
In ancient cultures, vassals sent ambassadors to a king for reconciliation. However, Second Corinthians 5:20 shows God, the King, sending His ambassadors to us, the rebels. This highlights God's profound humility and His persistent, proactive pursuit of reconciliation with humanity.
What does Second Corinthians teach about true Christian ministry?
True Christian ministry, according to Second Corinthians, is not about human competence or a 'glowing face' but is empowered by God through the Holy Spirit within the new covenant. It involves following Jesus in the world, proclaiming the gospel, and enduring difficulties, with the aim of manifesting God's glory.
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