•           a defense of the gospel– Paul defends his ministry in the 3^rd and 4^th chaps. of this letter.  Paul’s words in 4:3 is probably an answer to the criticism that Paul’s ministry had failed to reach everyone.  We may grimace at his answer that Satan has blinded folks, but recall his gospel journey—into the market place, on board ships, while tent-making, in synagogues, amongst pagans.  Some believed, others did not.  So he concluded that a supernatural aberration was responsible.[1]

•           up close & personal – Another accusation had to do with the minister, not the ministry: Paul, it was argued, was too concerned with himself.  There is much self-disclosure in 2 Corinthians.  But I think he’s really forced to be vulnerable.  When we proclaim the gospel we are never fully separated from the message and the messenger.  All proclaimers face the danger of getting in the way of the message.  Paul rejects the criticism by affirming Jesus as Lord and he as slave.

•           a patristic view – The traces of the divine image are clearly recognized not through the likeness of the body, which undergoes corruption, but through the intelligence of the soul, its righteousness, temperance, courage, wisdom, discipline, and through the entire chorus of virtues that are present in God and in humans through effort and the imitation of God.[2]

 

[3]

 

•           What do we learn about the relationship between the messenger and the message in this passage?

•           What about the ministry is most like a struggle to you?

•           In what way have you felt you’ve been pushed to give a defense of your ministry, your call, or your integrity?

 

•           block #1 – Recall some of those one step forward, two steps backward times.  Erwin W. Lutzer wrote a book that describes that sort of thing called, Failure: the Back Door to Success.  When have you or a colleague been criticized in the ministry—either your message or the messenger?

•           block #2 – Some people were apparently dissatisfied with Paul—his preaching and his personal integrity which, to listen to his critics, were apparently less than effective at times.

•           block #3 – How do we respond to criticism of our message and ministries?  Suggest some imaginative responses (“Take this call/trustees/congregation/ ministry and shove it, I ain’t working here no more,” etc.)  

•           block #4 – Review how Paul defends ministry and messenger in the light of the gospel and especially in light of Christ’s great gifts. 

•           block #5– Bring closure by inviting your listening community to affirm, encourage, bless, praise, pray for, and honor those who do their best day in and day out to amplify the gospel from the center of their life.

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[1] Interpretation Series: 2 Corinthians (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1987), page 38.

[2] Origen [fl. 200] in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture VII (InterVarsity, 1999), p. 229.

[3] Serendipity Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co., 1998).