THE CRUCIAL CONCERNS OF MINISTRY (2 CORINTHIANS 1:1–3:18)
What are we doing here? This is a question that those with a passion for ministry need to ask constantly. Yet in our activity-oriented, “just do it” culture, too many involved in Christian ministry fail to ask and answer this basic question of purpose. In a world of countless options and opportunities, having a clear understanding of the crucial concerns of the ministry will help us decide what to do with our resources, who should be involved, and where we should concentrate our efforts.
Who should be involved in the ministry? What kind of experience, qualifications, and character should we bring to the mission? What qualifies us to be ministers of the gospel? Does physical and emotional suffering disqualify us for ministry . . . or make us even more qualified?
What should we be doing? How should we be going about the work of the ministry? Should we do something different or continue in the way we’ve been laboring for years? Should our ministry emphasize original proclamation (evangelism) or continual teaching (discipleship)?
Where should we be ministering? How do we know the Spirit is moving us somewhere else? Does an open door to other ministry opportunities necessarily mean that is where we belong? Does a closed door suggest we need to move on or stay put?
Today’s pastors, evangelists, missionaries, preachers, teachers, and volunteer workers should constantly be asking such evaluative questions, and ours is not the first generation to cope with a variety of crucial ministry concerns. The apostle Paul and his ministry partners constantly had to ask the question, “What are we doing here?”
In Paul’s day, false teachers —usually those promoting a mixture of Christianity and Judaism —were challenging his authority, his integrity, his teaching, and his methods. They questioned what he was doing, who he and his associates really were, and where and when they had chosen to minister. They especially pointed to Paul’s uncertainties about God’s ministry direction as signs of fickleness.
As an answer to these criticisms and challenges from dangerous false teachers who had poisoned the hearts and minds of many in Corinth, Paul responds throughout the book of 2 Corinthians by explaining the who, what, where, when, why, and how of his apostolic ministry. In the course of his exposition, he turns the question “What are we doing here?” back around to the Corinthians themselves: “What are you doing there?” In the process Paul ends up setting forth a blueprint for authentic ministry —a ministry anyone could trust.
In 2 Corinthians 1:1–3:18, Paul addresses the crucial concerns of ministry. He begins with a strong affirmation of God’s comfort even in the midst of great affliction, suggesting that suffering actually qualifies a person for greater ministry impact rather than rendering the person ineffective (1:1-11). He then transitions to an explicitly defensive mode, defending his own integrity in ministry in light of strategic ministry decisions that prevented him from being able to follow through on his original plan to visit the Corinthians (1:12–2:4).
Paul then launches into a discussion of a few urgent issues facing the Corinthians: the need to forgive a repentant brother in Christ (2:5-11), the need to preach the Word with sincerity regardless of the hearers’ responses (2:12-17), and the need to stand boldly for the ministry of glory found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, depending on Christ alone for one’s sufficiency (3:1-18).
What are we doing here? Paul’s answer is simple. We’re not here to proclaim our own merits, but to preach Christ Jesus as Lord (4:5).
KEY TERMS IN 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1–3:18
thlipsis (θλῖψις) [2347] “affliction,” “tribulation”
The Greek word thlipsis, “tribulation,” can refer to the coming Great Tribulation of the end times leading up to Christ’s physical return (Matt. 24:21, 29), but more commonly it refers to general trials and afflictions experienced by Christians of every age (Matt. 13:21; 24:9; John 16:33; Rom. 5:3). Paul describes various afflictions or “tribulations” he had to endure in the course of his ministry (2 Cor. 1:8), some caused by external hardships, others by his concern for the churches (2:4). Whatever their source, we can have confidence that the “God of all comfort” will comfort us “in all our affliction” (1:3-4).
paraklēsis (παράκλησις) [3874] “comfort,” “encouragement”
In 2 Corinthians, “comfort” (paraklēsis) provides insight into the mystery of why God allows suffering. Ten times in 1:3-7, Paul uses words that share this same Greek root! If rendered literally, the word means “coming alongside of” for the purpose of giving aid or assistance to one in need. Authentic paraklēsis is given when we reach out and help others personally and selflessly. The God of all paraklēsis (1:3) allows His children to endure suffering so they will be equipped to extend paraklēsis toward others who are suffering (1:4).