Journey Through 2 Corinthians
Many years ago, William Burns was asked, “Are you ready to preach?” His answer: “Not yet. I have not yet got a morsel for myself.” Burns understood that his own soul must be fed if he was to pass the bread on to anyone else. Keep that account in mind as we journey through 2 Corinthians.
Listen: Journeying through 2 Corinthians
Overview of 2 Corinthians
As a preacher and teacher of the Word of God, 2 Corinthians means a great deal to me. It is a sweet “morsel” for any minister. As a matter of fact, the classic passage on ministry is found in 2 Corinthians 2:14-7:1. These are great verses to meditate on before preaching and teaching the Word of God to someone else.
If you are teaching or preaching the Bible, trying to minister to anyone else, I challenge you to read this passage for yourself. It is filled with truth for ministers. Consider 2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” That verse is a potent reminder that we are nothing and God is everything.
The Key Word of 2 Corinthians
The key word in 2 Corinthians is minister. The word minister, or some form of it, is found nearly 20 times. Yet, the emphasis is not on the minister himself, but rather on the minister bringing glory to God. Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians detailed the inside workings of a local church. While 2 Corinthians opens the Apostle Paul’s heart. It takes us deep into the heart of that faithful minister. It is the most “letter-like” letter that Paul wrote. Many of Paul’s writings seem very much like books to us now, but this one reads like a modern-day letter. It is one of the most personal and emotional things that Paul wrote.
The Setting of 2 Corinthians
The setting for 2 Corinthians is that Paul has just come through one of the darkest times of his life. Every minister has his valley. The man who stands up and preaches the Word of God to you, or teaches you the Bible, has the same struggles that you do? That is one reason why it is important to pray for your pastor.
In chapter one, we discover that the Apostle Paul faced great trouble in Asia. In chapter two, he tells us of his anxious season waiting in Troas. He narrowly escaped Ephesus with his life. His young congregation in Galatia was falling prey to another gospel. Corinth was in revolt against him. Titus, who was supposed to bring a report from Corinth, did not arrive when he was expected. This reminds us that even godly people, especially God’s people, have great struggles. We are in a spiritual warfare.
Notice the phrase in 2 Corinthians 7:5, where Paul says, “…without were fightings, within were fears.” Does that describe you today? On the outside, skirmishes all around, and on the inside, great fear? Read the next two words from the Apostle Paul’s pen: “Nevertheless God.” Aren’t those two beautiful words? God is greater than your enemy, and God is greater than your fears. The Lord always comes through right on time. Even the delays are often divine appointments.
The Theme of 2 Corinthians
The great theme of this book is the motive and method of ministry. The Apostle Paul is writing from his own ministry. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is very biographical. For example, there are several experiences found recorded in this book that are found nowhere else. Four chapters of the book, or about 30% of the book, are devoted to defending Paul’s apostleship. It is a book for preachers, written by a preacher.
Yet, this book is not just about the ministry of Paul. It is about the ministry of a local church. It is not just for preachers. There is a ministry for every member in that local assembly. For example, 2 Corinthians 8-9 describes a special fundraising project that was underway in the Church of Corinth. Paul is challenging the people to jump in, to do their part, to get involved in this special ministry. Ministry is not just for people who hold an office in the church. God expects every one of His children to be engaged in ministering to others. If you are the recipient of ministry, then you are to be relaying ministry.
The Key Verse of 2 Corinthians
There are many great passages in the book. But the key to this book is found near the beginning. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, we read, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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.”
You may think, “I do not know how to minister to someone else.” Simply minister to them the same grace that has been ministered to you. Share with them the truth that you have been taught. Pass on the mercy that you have come to understand.
“Comforteth Us”
Two great words, little words, but powerful words in verse four, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation.” Whatever your tribulation may be today, the Comforter has come. The Holy Spirit of God is very present. He is God at hand, He is God in your heart, and He wants to comfort you in all your tribulation. God does not comfort you to make you comfortable. God comforts you to make you a comforter — not to make you a depository, but a tributary. Those who receive comfort are a means by which His comfort reaches the hurting.
“Trouble”
From this truth grows the great purpose statement, “that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.” Our second word is “trouble.” God comforts you in all your tribulation, so you can comfort those who are in any trouble. It does not mean that every person you meet is going to go through what you have gone through. Nor does it mean you have gone through what every other person has gone through. That is impossible. We cannot all have the same experiences. Thank God we do not have all of life’s trouble in one life. The reality is this: the same God who comforts you in all of your tribulation can comfort them in any tribulation that they are going through.
We are Comforted to Comfort Others
I remember many years ago God teaching my wife and me this lesson in a very definite way. Since we are in a book that is very biographical, I will share a personal testimony.
Very early on in our married life, serving the Lord, we lost a child. We were expecting a baby, and the Lord saw fit to take that child home to Heaven. I remember struggling with that. Why did God allow that to happen? And then I remember the first time I ever heard someone say, “Please pray for this family. They have lost a baby, and they are having a hard time.” The Holy Spirit brought that to my mind and said, “That is the reason. It never dawned on you that God allows you to go through things not just for you, but for someone else.” We can and should pray for the grieving, but we can also comfort others with the comfort that we have received from God.
Early on, I went through a great struggle in my own life, dealing with the assurance of salvation. Struggling with doubt, and God gave me victory. (Read about that HERE.) Frankly, God gave me victory with the truth that our sufficiency is of God, that Christ is enough. And I remember when young people started coming to me, saying, “I’m so embarrassed and ashamed, but I’m doubting my salvation. What can I do?” And I remember beginning to share with them the same comfort that God had shared with me. That is all God expects you to do. (Be sure to download the 23 Birthmarks of a Believer handout HERE.)
We are Called to Minister to Others
As you journey through 2 Corinthians, Paul begins with an account of his own ministry; he then moves to an appeal for ministry. In other words, it is not just about him; it is about others getting on board. It is about others ministering. Following that same pattern, God has been awfully good to me, and I am seeking, by the grace of God, to minister that to you, to pass it along.
Could I challenge you to do the same? Would you join me on this journey of ministry today? Would you determine that this day you will share a verse of Scripture, a word of testimony, a personal witness? Something out of the overflow of God’s work in your own life. Because then, not only will you enjoy the journey, but someone else will come to enjoy the journey with you.
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