Right attitude towards the ministry and suffering. (chap.4)
Apostle Paul considered it as a high privilege and greatness of his calling for ministering as a servant of the Lord. We often get frustrated and lose heart because we fail to understand the high calling. Further our job is not simply to lay God’s high standards upon people, as Moses did, but to provide God’s grace to them as the Holy Spirit’s agents. We are under the new covenant have received this ministry full of glory, greater than the ministry of Moses. Further we are not ministers of law which condemns, but ministers of God’s grace which saves. Yes we have received this ministry through God’s mercy, but not through personal merit (1 Cor. 15:10). So Paul says, he refuses to be discouraged and give up in spite of all the problems, dangers and difficulties he faced.
- Do not use secret and shameful methods: (4:1-2a):Paul preached his gospel humbly He knew his glorious calling to ministry was not due to his own works, but because of God’s mercy. Some people think it as a burden or punishment to preach the word. So they naturally take the shameful and secret methods of profiting through God’s word. They will ultimately be accountable to God for every mischievous.
The ministry is given to us by the mercy and grace of God: (4:1):
The ministry is a great and privilege and opportunity for every believer. The way you look at your ministry helps to determine how we will fulfil it. If we look at ministry as a burden instead of a privilege, you will be a drudge and do only what is required of you. Some people even look on service as a punishment from God. When Paul considered the fact that he was a minister of Jesus Christ he was overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of God. His positive attitude toward the ministry had some practical consequences in his life.
- Do not distort the Word of God (4:2b): The ministers must understand that they are standing in the presence of Christ and every word they speak has far reaching consequences. So we must proclaim the truth of God’s Word. The great man of God Spurgeon said: “The The preacher should either speak in God’s name or hold his tongue. My brother, if the Lord has not sent you with a message, go to bed, or to school, or mind your farm; for what does it matter what you have to say of your own? If heaven has given you a message, speak it out as he ought to speak who is called to be the mouth of God.”
- Preach only Jesus but not self boasting: (4:5): If Paul wanted to get many followers for himself and make money, then he would have preached himself, not Christ. Yet he would not preach himself. He sought only to honour Christ. In (1 Cor. 3:1-9) clearly shows that Paul presents himself as a servant of God and a slave for Jesus’ sake. There can be no light if we exalt men for God alone can cause the light to shine out of the darkness.
- Bind Satan and his ways: (4:3-4): If people do not respond to this glorious gospel, it isn’t Paul’s fault, or the gospel’s fault. Only those who are perishing miss the message. The work of Satan is to blind those who don’t believe in Christ. The temptation of money, power and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ’s gospel. Those who reject Christ and prefer their own pursuits have unknowingly made Satan their god. Spurgeon said like this: “According to the text, he that believes not on Jesus Christ is a lost man. God has lost you; you are not his servant. The church has lost you; you are not working for the truth. The world has lost you really; you yield no lasting service to it. You have lost yourself to right, to joy, to heaven. You are lost, lost, lost … It is not only that you will be lost, but that you are lost, lost even now.”
A great treasure in a humble container: (4:6-7):
Earthenware vessels were common in every home in the ancient world. They were not very durable (compared to metal), and they were useless if broken (glass could be melted down again). Paul is referring our bodies as just as weak and frail earthen vessels. We are not worthy to receive just glorious God’s light in our bodies. The smartest person is not smart enough, nor a highly spiritual person nor a highly talented person is worthy. Often the best gifts are packaged with ordinary wrappings. The perfect vessels are of course safe, but bring glory to themselves. Earthen vessels are risky, but they can bring profound glory to God. Ex: The story of Gideon.