1. Motive for Paul's ministry ~ cont.
d. Suffering ministry endured - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
e. Christian's attitude toward death - 2 Corinthians 5:1-21
f. Setbacks to be anticipated - 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
g. Separation from the world expected - 2 Corinthians 6:11-17; 7:1
h. Paul's heart revealed - 2 Corinthians 7:2-16
2. Example of giving - 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 9:1-15
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
COMMANDED - just the word invokes the thought of power, ability, direction. What saith Strong's? G2306 - A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from G2046, G4483 and G5346); to speak or say (by word or writing).
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (2 Corinthians 5:4)
Swallowed up? Like Jonah? :-) Life - true life - eternal life. What a blessed hope and thought!
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight: ) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
How earnestly do we desire that sweet union with our Lord and Savior? Prayerfully seeking His return? Crying out: Come Lord Jesus?
In 4 verses the word reconciled, reconciliation, or reconciling is used 5x. Intriguing.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled (G2644) us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2643); To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling (2644) the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (2643). 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 (2644) to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
reconciled - G2644 - From G2596 and G236; to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference.
reconciliation - G2643 - From G2644; exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor.
A ministry of reconciliation? Ministry - G1248 - From G1249; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate).
The word of reconciliation? Word - G3056 - From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ).
Some of what Paul endured/encountered:
patience ~ afflictions ~ necessities ~ distresses ~ stripes ~ imprisonments ~ tumults ~ labours ~ watchings ~ fastings.
How? Pureness ~ knowledge ~ longsuffering ~ kindness ~ love ~ truth ~ power of God ~ armour of righteousness.
Contrasts: Honor and dishonor ~ evil report and good report ~ deceivers yet true ~ unknown yet known ~ dying yet living ~ chastened yet not killed ~ sorrowful yet rejoicing ~ poor yet rich ~ possessing nothing yet possessing all things.
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