Reading: 2 Corinthians 3-4, Psalm 150

Following his instruction to show mercy to the repentant sinner who they previously disciplined, Paul is ready to set up the rest of this second letter. Though it will not become clear until near the end of the letter, Paul is in many ways continuing the argument he made back in the first letter in regards to who baptized who and who should be followed. As we saw then, it was really important in that place and time whose student you were, whether you were a Jew like Paul studying under Gamaliel, or a Greek studying under some well known philosopher. The Corinthian church had fallen into the pattern of bragging about which apostle had baptized them before Paul’s first letter to the church. In this one, we learn that the problem has gotten worse. So called “super apostles” had gained influence in the church and discredited Paul because he did not act like a famous and powerful teacher. They scorned the Corinthian Christians because their teacher was not shiny enough.

Paul begins his ten chapter dismantling of their argument by making a comment about letters of recommendation. This is one concept that has continued basically unchanged into the present day. Who you know matters. Letters recommending someone as a good employee carry weight with prospective employers. Reviews recommending a service or business are the powerful tools for bringing in more business. This was the way it was in back then too. Paul brings this up because the Corinthians were starting to care a great deal about reputation. Paul is not interested in reputation. He does not care one whit about being well known or cared about. He only cares about declaring the gospel of Jesus. Repentance from sin and life in his name. The only possible letter of recommendation that matters to him are the people in the Corinthian church. They are the only thing that recommends his ministry or his authority. Nothing else could possibly serve. So, Paul uses the people of Corinth as his argument. They have been reconciled to God by grace through faith in Jesus, which could not have happened without the preaching of Paul and his friends. Paul puts his entire reputation on this foundation of preaching the gospel.

The second problem that the Corinthians have with Paul is that he is constantly being beaten, shipwrecked, thrown in prison, and generally having a hard time. This was seen as a sign that he was not to be trusted. What authority could such an unlucky schmuck have? The “super apostles” have made the argument to the Corinthians that poor Paul may be worthy of their pity, but certainly not their attention as a teacher. Paul throws this argument on it’s head: it is actually much worse than the Corinthians think. Paul is constantly being abused as he travels the ancient world. But he sees this persecution not as a disadvantage, but as a validation of his ministry. What other person could persist in the proclamation of the gospel under such circumstances than someone who is ordered to do so by God.

Paul’s counter-argument is that having the tremendous message of the gospel in jars of clay is for the glory of God. The message is so incredible that were it carried by someone more impressive than Paul, those who hear it may be tempted to worship the messenger rather than the Lord Jesus. The message is that good. Paul draws on the story of Moses descending the mountain of God in Sinai as a comparison to the wonder of the message that he carries. Though the message of the law of Moses was much less glorious than the message of Jesus, he still had to veil his face as the glory faded from it. Paul, though, says that the glory does not fade in the presentation of the gospel. It needs no veiling, though some people cannot see the glory in it. For those who have eyes to see, it is glorious in a way that is outrageous and powerful. In a way that lets Paul celebrate his suffering. To say we are afflicted in every way but not crushed struck down but not destroyed, perplexed by not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed. He sees it as all part of the gospel, always carrying in our body the death of Jesus, so the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. Paul sees it as all part of the Story. In the gospel, death is life.

Lest they (or we) get confused, he makes clear that this is not some resignation to pain and suffering. Death is life not in a fuzzy spiritual way, but in a literal way. He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. Paul puts all his hope, and rests any and all reputation he has with anyone, on the reality of the resurrection of the dead. He believes that the end of life is the beginning of life. Paul’s life since he began preaching the gospel has been extremely unpleasant and difficult. But because of the resurrection, his story gets pulled inside out. It it all going somewhere. We do not lose heart! Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.