Sunday School Lessons

APRIL 3, 2022

TRUE REPENTANCE WITH THE EVIDENCE THEREOF

INTRODUCTION:

1. So great was Paul’s affection for the Corinthians and his concern about their behavior in relation to the incestuous person, as well as certain other problems in the church, that he had no rest in spirit when he found not Titus at Troas. (Ch. 2:13) This unrest was due to the fact that Titus was to bring a report to him about how the church had responded to his first letter in which he had charged them how to deal with these matters. The same unrest accompanied him to Macedonia, still not having seen nor heard from Titus for some time. (Ch. 7:5)
2. When at last Titus did arrive in Macedonia, Paul was greatly comforted. He was delighted to see Titus whom he dearly loved as his son in the faith. (Tit. 1:4) But, the matter of greater consolation was the good news which Titus brought, first, about his own welcome reception at Corinth, but secondly, about how they had received Paul’s letter, and carried out his instructions in all of the matters of concern, particularly the case of incest. (I Cor. 5:1ff)
3. That which most pleased the Apostle was to learn of their genuine repentance, and the evidence thereof. They mourned over the sin. They experience true godly sorrow which brings about true repentance.

I. HOW GREATLY THE APOSTLE REJOICED AT THEIR REPENTANCE AND THE EVIDENCE OF IT. (VERSES 8-11)

A. PAUL REJOICED AT THEIR REPENTANCE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME REGRETTING THAT HE HAD TO BE THE INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE OF THEIR SORROW WHICH PRODUCED THAT REPENTANCE. (VERSES 8-10)

1. Now, after the fact, Paul says, “Though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent.” However, before he knew the good result, he says, “I did repent.” (Verse 8)

a) This perhaps sheds some additional light on his state of unrest prior to Titus’ coming with the good report. It seems that he may have been second-guessing himself, not to whether he was wrong to demand that action be taken, but as to whether he was too hard on them.
b) As Hodge remarks, “Paul was no doubt impelled and guided by the spirit in the writing of the former epistle, but he was only conscious of his own thoughts and feelings…as the believer may doubt the wisdom of some of his holiest acts, so the Apostle might doubt the wisdom of acts done under divine guidance.”

2. Paul, even now aware of the good result, could still regret that he had to make them sorry while at the same time knowing that it was needful. (Verse 9) Their sorrow in itself was not the cause of his rejoicing, but the nature of it and the effect of it.
3. He now sees that they had received no damage by him. Their sorrow was but for a season, and was now turned to enduring joy. They sorrowed to repentance; their repentance was unto salvation.

B. THE ANTECEDENT TO TRUE REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION IS GODLY SORROW. (VERSE 10)

1. Godly sorrow worketh repentance. It is not repentance itself, but is preparatory to repentance and in some sense the cause that produces repentance.
2. The offender had great sorrow, (See Ch. 2:7) and the society was greatly sorrowful, which before was puffed up. (I Cor. 5:2)
3. This sorrow was after a godly manner, or lit. according to God, i.e. of God, according to the will of God, and to the glory of God.

C. THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GODLY SORROW AND THE SORROW OF THE WORLD. (VERSE 10)

1. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation; therefore true penitents will never repent of their repentance.
2. The sorrow of the world worketh death. “The world,” means the masses of mankind, unrenewed men, and distinguished from the church. (I Cor. 1:20; Gal. 4:3; John 7:7) The effects of worldly sorrow are evil. It is a great mistake to suppose that the natural tendency of pain and sorrow is to good. They tend rather to excite rebellion against God. This will always be the case unless they are so sanctified by the Holy Spirit to work good.

D. TRUE REPENTANCE OF GODLY SORROW PRODUCES HAPPY FRUITS AND CONSEQUENCES. (VERSE 11; MATT. 3:8)
1. Those fruits that are meet for repentance are the best evidence of it.
2. Paul here describes the effects which the repentance of godly sorrow produced in the Corinthian church. “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sorrow…” He would have them to see how this very thing, that is, Godly sorrow, was manifested in their case.
3. He lists seven things specifically which Godly sorrow had wrought in them.

a) Carefulness. The original word which literally means haste describes the earnestness of their solicitude as opposed to the indifference and neglect which allowed so grievous a sin to pass unnoticed in the church.
b) Clearing of themselves. They cleared their conscience by sincerely apologizing for the sin they had committed. They acknowledged the wrong, and sought forgiveness.
c) Indignation. They were angry at the sin, but more, they were angry at themselves for having allowed it. This is a mark of true penitence.
d) Fear. They had a fear of God’s displeasure and punishment, and they also feared the Apostle coming among them, knowing his displeasure with the situation, and also knowing the power of his office.
e) Vehement desire. They earnestly desired a thorough reformation of what had been amiss, and of reconciliation with God Whom they had offended.
f) Zeal. It wrought in them a zeal for holiness, and for duty, and against sin.
g) Revenge. The word means vindictive justice. Godly sorrow aroused in them a sense of justice and moral judgment that sin ought to be punished. This instinct belongs to our moral constitution, and is a revelation of the nature and will of God.

4. “In all things…” In their dealings with the matter in question they had cleared and commended themselves in every respect. Paul found nothing with which to disapprove.

II. PAUL COMFORTS THE CORINTHIANS UPON WHOM HIS ADMONITIONS HAD HAD SUCH GOOD EFFECT. (VERSES 12-16)

A. PAUL EXPLAINS HIS MOTIVE FOR WRITING THE FORMER LETTER. (VERSE 12)

1. Stated negatively, it was not for sake of him who did wrong, nor for him who suffered the wrong.

a) His primary object was not to have the offender punished.
b) Neither was the main thing to secure justice for the father whose wife the son had married.

2. Stated positively, Paul’s chief motive in writing was “that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.” He wrote to manifest in the sight of God his care for them.

B. HE ACQUAINTS THEM WITH THE JOY WHICH HE AND TITUS SHARED TOGETHER ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR REPENTANCE AND GOOD BEHAVIOR. (VERSES 13, 15)

1. Titus was filled with joy and his spirit was refreshed with their comfort, and this rejoiced the Apostle also. (Verse 13)
2. Paul notes that Titus’ heart was the more enlarged for them as he recalled the manner in which he was received by them. Clearly, their reception of him
was of Paul also, whose errand he was on. (Verse 15)

C. HE EXPRESSES HIS ENTIRE CONFIDENCE IN THEM. (VERSES 14, 16)

1. He was not ashamed of his boasting concerning them. (Verse 14) He was not disappointed in their conduct in any way. This he boasted of to Titus.
2. He could now with great joy declare what confidence he had in them as to all things. (Verse 16)
3. Indeed, what a joy it is when faithful ministers can have such confidence in their people, knowing that if a thing be according to truth, and for God’s glory, and for the benefit of the church, they will comply with it. Of such people the minister is justified in his boasting.

MARCH 13, 2022

SATISFYING EFFECTS PRODUCED BY THE FORMER LETTER

INTRODUCTION:

1. We must always keep in mind that the chapter divisions are of human origin, and are provided for our convenience in locating particular passages. Sometimes they may be inconveniently places, as in the case of our present study. Perhaps with no other book of the New Testament was dividing of the subject matter more difficult than II Corinthians. This is due to the fact that there are so many digressions and parentheticals, and interjections from the heart of the inspired writer.
2. Perhaps here there should have been no division at all. At the very least the first few verses properly belong to the preceding chapter. It begins in Verse 1 with an exhortation founded on what immediately precedes. (Ch. 6:14-18) Then, his appeal in Verse 2 that they esteem him and his office is based on the account that he gave of his unwavering faithfulness through severe trials of every kind. (Ch. 6:3-10) Then, in Verse 3 he is reiterating his often expressed love of them, most recently in the preceding passage. (Ch. 6:11-13)
3. The rest of our present passage (Verses 4-7) is concerning the consolation that he took from the favorable account which he had received while in Macedonia of the situation at Corinth.

I. THE APOSTLE OFFERS THREE WORDS WHICH ARE BASED ON MATTERS OF THE PRECEDING DISCUSSIONS. (VERSES 1-3)

A. A WORD OF EXHORTATION; THAT THEY MAKE PROGRESS IN HOLINESS. (VERSE 1)

1. “Having therefore these promises” The promises referred to are those contained within the warning against unequal yokes at the end of Chapter 6. They are God’s own promises.

a) First, God’s promise to dwell in us and walk in us ought to be a very strong incentive to purify ourselves. (Ch. 6:16b)

(1) Sin’s greatest offense for believers is that it grieves the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us. (See
I Cor. 6:19, 20; Rom. 8:5-14)
(2) Sin’s greatest danger for believers is that of losing the favorable presence of God in our life, i.e. His power and blessing. (Judges 16:20)

b) Second, God’s promises to be a Father to us, to treat and care for us as His sons and daughters. (Ch. 6:18)

(1) Surely the implications of what it means that the Almighty God fulfills the roll as Father to His children should be sufficient incentives for us to separate ourselves from the world. (Ch. 6:17, 18)
(2) If God is our Father there ought to be a filial relationship and a family resemblance. (I Pet. 1:14-17) Let us walk before Him in reverential fear. (I Pet. 1:17)

2. Holiness clearly involves more than outward obedience, nevertheless it is impossible apart from separation and refusing unequal alliances with unbelievers.

B. A WORD OF APPEAL TO THE CORINTHIANS THAT THEY JUDGE HIM AS WORTHY OF DUE HONOR AS AN APOSTLE AND A MINISTER OF CHRIST. (VERSE 2)

1. Considering his constancy and fidelity as a faithful minister of God, and that under the severest of trials, surely he had proven himself worthy of honor. (Ch. 6:3-10)
2. Surely, the Corinthian church, even above others, ought to have held Paul in high esteem, not only for his work’s sake, but for his personal sacrifices for them. How many of his voluntary trials were on their behalf? (Ch. 6:5b)
3. Besides all of the positive good he had done them, he had not harmed any of them. “We have wronged no man…corrupted no man…defrauded no man.” Essentially he is saying that he had not treated any of them unjustly, nor had he injured them, or treated any unfairly.
4. He says to them, “receive us,” i.e. make room for us in your hearts.

C. A WORD TO REINFORCE HIS OFTEN STATED LOVE FOR THEM. (VERSE 3)

1. “I speak not to condemn you.” In defending himself he was not meaning to condemn them. When he said, “I have not wronged you,” he was not implying that they were guilty of such.
2. He had said before (Ch. 6:12) that they were in his heart, and he here reiterates that expression of love.
3. He says that they were so rooted in his heart that he would gladly live and die with them, or that neither life nor death could separate them, i.e. break the bonds of his love for them.

II. PAUL EXPRESSES WHAT GREAT CONSOLATION AND JOY WAS HIS, HAVING RECEIVED A FAVORABLE REPORT OF THEM. (VERSES 4-7)

A. HIS BOLD SPEECH TO THEM CAME NOT FROM A DISPOSITION TO UPBRAID THEM, BUT RATHER FROM FEELINGS OF CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE. (VERSE 4)

1. The account which the Apostle had just received of the state of things at Corinth, and especially of the effect produced by his first letter, had removed all feelings of anxiety and doubt concerning them.
2. The pendulum had in fact swung to the opposite extreme. He gloried on their account. He was disposed to tell everyone how well his dear Corinthians had behaved. He was filled with comfort over them, and also very proud of them.

B. THIS REPORT THAT FILLED HIS HEART WITH JOY COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME. (VERSE 5)

1. Far from leaving his troubles behind at Troas, (Ch. 2:12) in Macedonia his flesh still had no rest.
2. He had fightings without, (Ch. 1:8, 9) and fears within. It seems that his fears within were anxious fears about the state of things at Corinth.

a) From Chapters 1, 2 we know that he was much concerned about how his first letter had been received.
b) He realized that if the serious problems addressed in the first letter were not dealt with according to his instructions, the church would not survive.

3. It was during this period of severe trials and anxiety that he received words of encouragement.

C. PAUL ACKNOWLEDGES THAT GOD HAD, THROUGH THE COMING OF TITUS, LIFTED HIM UP. (VERSE 6)

1. “Nevertheless God…” He that comforts those who are cast down, comforted Paul.

a) Notice, it is the “fears within” that cast us down.
b) It seems that we can bear anything so long as we have the joy of the Lord within our hearts.
c) The worry over the church at Corinth and the delay in Titus’ coming had Paul cast down.
d) Clearly, once this burden was lifted, the outward trials were handled with courage. (Ch. 6:4, 10)

2. Paul considered Titus and his good reports as God’s messengers to his own soul.
3. Every Christian, and certainly every minister of the Gospel, will experience in some measure what Paul here describes.

a) We become anxious over concerns within the church, and concerns over individual souls. We can become cast down in spirit over such worries. In this state every burden becomes heavier.
b) How welcome and blessed then are God’s messengers of mercy. God is the Comforter of those that are cast down. His messengers may be of the human sort, like Titus, or they may be of other providential arrangements, but the needy soul knows they are of God.

D. IT WAS PRIMARILY THE INTELLIGENCE THAT TITUS BROUGHT THAT COMFORTED PAUL. (VERSE 7)

1. The sight of Titus was a welcome one to be sure. He dearly loved and appreciated this good man. He was, no doubt, concerned for his safety in coming to him. So, his arrival was in itself a relief and a joy.
2. But, as the Apostle says, “not by his coming only, but by the consolations wherewith he was comforted of you.”
3. Paul had been greatly concerned over how Titus would be received by them. How happy he was to learn that Titus had been received well, and Paul’s letter had been properly received.

a) Doubtless some at Corinth objected, for like every church, they had some false ones within the ranks. They had false teachers that were particularly loud, and haters of Paul.
b) Nevertheless, the church as a whole had taken heed to Paul’s words of rebuke and correction, and had set things in order.

4. Paul was greatly comforted and encouraged to hear about their earnest desire, i.e. their earnest desire to see the Apostle, and to secure his approbation, or their earnest desire to correct the evils in the church.
5. Paul was also comforted to hear about their mourning, i.e. lamentation over having offended the Apostle, or mourning over their sins. Probably it was both.
6. Paul rejoiced the more to hear of their fervent love toward himself.

CONCLUSION:

1. What an uplift! What a change of emotion! Paul was energized by the report from Corinth.
2. Those who labor in the Gospel “live” or “die” according to its success. They “live” if those to whom they minister stand fast in the faith. (I Tim. 3:8)

FEBRUARY 27, 2022

AN EXHORTATION TO SEPARATION

INTRODUCTION:

1. Paul described himself as an ambassador as being a worker together with God. (Verse 1) He went forth in Christ’s stead, beseeching sinners to be reconciled to God. (Ch. 5:20) His commission and his message as an ambassador were of pure grace. He therefore earnestly besought those to whom he was sent that they “receive not the grace of God in vain,” i.e. that they hear it not without effect.
2. What amazing grace it is, first of all, that God will be reconciled to fallen men who became His enemies without a cause. Now, He will be reconciled to them without a cause. But, the Word of reconciliation (the Gospel message of grace) involves more than God’s willingness to be reconciled, it includes all necessary provisions for this reconciliation, which His grace has supplies through the atoning sacrifice of His Son.
(Ch. 5:21)
3. Paul here quotes Isaiah 49:8 where it was foretold that the Servant of Jehovah would “in a time accepted” come, and that God would by Him make all necessary provisions for man’s restoration. (Verse 2; comp.
Gal. 4:4) The phrase “a time accepted” could have been rendered “a time of grace.” The “day of salvation” is “a day of grace.” In this day of salvation, the Gospel of grace is preached. See that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
4. In further defense of his ministry, Paul in Verse 3 and following, declares the methods and conditions of his ministry. He remained faithful under the severest of circumstance. (Verses 3-10)
5. In our present passage we have an epilogue to the preceding vindication, in which he expresses a strong love for the Corinthians. (Verses 11-13) This is followed by an exhortation to keep themselves separate from contaminating alliances. (Verses 14-18)

I. PAUL PREFACES HIS EXHORTATION TO SEPARATION WITH A PROFESSION OF HIS STRONG AFFECTION FOR THEM. (VERSES 11-13)

A. THE DIRECT ADDRESS USED BY THE APOSTLE IS EXPRESSIVE OF STRONG FEELINGS.
(VERSE 11a; GAL. 3:1) “O ye Corinthians…”

B. NOTICE HOW HIS LOVE FOR THEM MANIFESTED ITSELF. (VERSE 11)

1. It was irrepressible. “Our mouth is open unto you.”

a) This expression means to begin to speak, or to speak. (Matt. 5:2; Acts 8:32, 35)
b) As the context here shows, Paul is saying, that his love for them is expressed freely and openly.
c) Paul spoke nothing to or about the Corinthians that did not flow from a heart of love.

2. It was powerful and abundant. “Our heart is enlarged.”

a) “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
b) Christian love expands the heart, and nothing else can have this effect. A man may expand his intellect with ideas, but the heart, out of which are “the issues of life,” only by love.
c) It was because his heart was so enlarged by love for them that he opened his mouth so freely to them in kind admonitions and exhortations.

3. Let us learn from this that a faithful minister ministers out of love for his people. His encouragement and words of praise, as well as his warnings and corrections, are delivered out of a heart of love.

C. PAUL WOULD HAVE HIS LOVE FOR THEM TO BE RECIPROCAL. (VERSES 12, 13)

1. Their love for Paul was not enlarged and expansive, like his was for them. It was, instead, narrow and restricted. “Ye are straitened.”

a) This lack of room or narrowness of sympathy was not due to any want of room in his heart for them. “Ye are not straitened in us.”
b) Their own hearts were to blame for their lack of love. “You are straitened in your own bowels,” i.e. in your own hearts and affections.

2. He begs them to give him a return in kind. “Now for a recompense in the same.” He would have them to reciprocate.
3. His love to them was as that of a father to his children. His heart was enlarged with fatherly love for them. Like any father, he longs to have the hearts of his children enlarged toward him. “I speak as unto children, be ye also enlarged.” (See also I Cor. 4:14; I Thess. 2:11)
4. This fatherly love is clearly seen in the following prohibition.
II. PAUL STRONGLY WARNS AGAINST ALL CORRUPTING ALLIANCES. (VERSES 14-18) It is likely that the alienation of some of the Corinthians from Paul had its roots in their associations with unbelievers. Particularly, this may have been the case among Gentile converts, some of whom were want to attend the sacrificial feasts of the heathen. (I Cor. 8-10) “Unequally yoked” is a metaphor derived for Lev. 19:19 and Deut. 22:10, and is the opposite of “true yoke-fellows.” (Phil 4:3)

A. THE PASSAGE FORBIDS “UNEQUAL YOKING” IN THREE BASIC AREAS.

1. In stated relations. It is wrong for God’s people to join in affinity with the wicked and profane. Those relations that are our choice must be chosen by rule of Scripture. Children of God must join with those who are likewise. There is more danger that the unsaved party will be a bad influence on the saved party, than the other way around.
2. In common relations. We should not yoke ourselves in friendships and acquaintances with ungodly men. Although we cannot wholly avoid these associations, we should not make unsaved people our bosom-friends.
3. In religious communion. We must not, under any circumstances join in any idolatrous service or false worship. We must not confound together the table of the Lord and the table of the devil, the house of God and the house of Rimmon. (I Cor. 10:21; II Kings 5:18)

B. THE APOSTLE GIVES SEVERAL GOOD REASONS WHY WE MUST AVOID THIS KIND OF CORRUPT MIXTURE. (VERSES 14-18)

1. It is a very great absurdity. (Verses 14, 15) It is an unequal yoking of things together that cannot agree together.

a) What an absurdity to think of joining righteousness with unrighteousness, i.e. lawlessness.
b) What could be more antithetical than light and darkness? Light is the common scriptural emblem of knowledge, holiness, and blessedness. Darkness, on the other hand, is the emblem of error, sin, and misery. Satan’s kingdom is called the kingdom of darkness. This antithesis is especially prominent in Eph. 5:9-11 and Col. 1:12, 13. (See also John 1:5; 3:19; I John 1:5; Luke 16:8;
I Thess. 5:5) Paul was sent to turn men from darkness to light. (Acts 26:18; Rom. 13:12;
Eph. 5:8, 9)
c) There can be no possibility of harmony between Christ and Belial. (See I Cor. 10:21) Christ is God manifested in the flesh. Belial (the wicked one, Satan) is the prince of Darkness. Where could be the concord?
d) What part (participation) has a believer with an infidel, i.e. one who is so destitute of faith as to deny the Gospel to be a revelation from God. The word is translated “unbeliever” in Verse 14. What can these two opposites possibly have in common?

2. It is a dishonor to the Christian profession. (Verse 16)

a) Christians are by profession, and should be in reality, “the temples of the living God.” Thus they are dedicated to, and employed for the service of God. God resides in them and walks in them.
(I Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Eph. 2:21, 22; I Tim. 3:15)
b) Since idols are rivals to God, there can be no point of agreement between us and idols.
(I John 5:21)

3. There is great danger involved in any of these unequal yokings. (Verse 17)

a) The danger of becoming defiled. “Touch not the unclean thing.”
b) The danger of being rejected. We must take care not to become spotted by the world and sin. So is the will of God, of Whom we hope to be received into His favor.

4. It is God’s fatherly favor that we would not jeopardize by engaging in unholy alliances. (Verse 18) As His children we have the care and protection of the Almighty God, Who lovingly and graciously calls us His sons and daughters.

JANUARY 30, 2022

PAUL’S WORK AS AN AMBASSADOR

INTRODUCTION:

1. Paul had just declared that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, i.e. God, through the atoning sacrifice of His Son had removed the enmity between Himself and sinners. As the substitute for sinners, Christ had become sin for us, and paid our sin debt by His death on the cross. Not only did God make His Son to be sin for us, but He makes us to be righteous by imputing Christ’s righteousness to us. (Verses 19, 21)
2. Paul was thereby himself reconciled to God, and was then given the ministry of reconciliation. (Verse 18) As a minister of reconciliation, he was actually an ambassador of God, sent forth to speak in God’s stead, and plead with men to be reconciled to God. (Verse 20)
3. In the verses before us he describes his general errand and the manner in which he carried out his embassy. In this description of his ambassadorship he is also giving a further vindication of himself and his ministry.

I. HE EXHORTS ALL MEN TO WITHOUT DELAY COMPLY WITH THE GOSPEL OFFER OF RECONCILIATION. (VERSES 1, 2)

A. THE EXHORTATION ITSELF, NAMELY, THAT BEING FAVORED WITH THE GOSPEL, THEY OUGHT NOT TO RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN. (VERSE 1)

1. What is it to receive the grace of God in vain? It is not, as some have taught, to accept of Christ’s atonement, and be thereby reconciled to God, but still live in sin. Others say that Paul is exhorting believers to guard against “falling from grace.”
2. The grace of God here spoken of is that provision which he spoke of in the preceding chapter. He exhorts men not to let it be in vain that God had graciously provided satisfaction for sin sufficient for all, and appropriate to all, and offered to them in the Gospel.
3. The Gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears, but we hear it in vain unless we believe it and appropriate it to ourselves.

B. THAT THIS IS PAUL’S MEANING IS MADE CLEAR IN THE PARENTHETICAL QUOTATION IN THE NEXT VERSE. (VERSE 2; ISA. 49:8)

1. The Apostle was reminded of a passage in Isa. 49:8 where the Hebrew word rendered “a time accepted” is literally “a time of grace.” To this he then gives the equivalent expression, “the day of salvation.”
2. In others words, this is a time and a day in which grace and salvation may be obtained. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
3. The only proper time to accept these offers is the present time. “Today, while it is called today…” (See
Heb. 3:7, 8, 13)
4. All who are favored with the present privilege of hearing the Gospel, and yet let the day of grace slip away, will have received the grace of God in vain. What a tragedy!! Having heard Jesus’ words, “Come unto me,” they shall in the end hear Him say, “Depart from me.”

II. HE TELLS WHAT CAUTION HE USED NOT TO GIVE OFFENCE THAT MIGHT HINDER THE SUCCESS OF THIS WONDERFUL GOSPEL. (VERSES 3-10)

A. HE CONTINUES THE VINDICATION OF HIMSELF. (VERSE 3)

1. This was an on-going defense, as we have seen.
2. This verse, coming after the parenthesis in Verse 2, connects with Verse 1. “We…,beseech…,giving no offence…”
3. If his hearers should hear the Gospel without profit, God forbid that the manner or method of his ministry should be in any way to blame.
4. Although many are apt to take offence at the preaching of the Gospel, we must be nonetheless careful not to give offence, and bring blame upon our ministry.

B. HIS CONSTANT AIM AND ENDEAVOR WAS TO PROVE HIMSELF FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGS, AS BECOMES A MINISTER OF GOD. (VERSES 4, 5)

1. Far from bringing blame on his ministry, Paul in all things (in every relation, on every occasion, under all conditions) approved himself, i.e. commended himself, not by self-praise, but with such conduct that all could see the conviction and sincerity of his ministry.
2. Paul specifically says that he commended himself as a minister of God, i.e. as the ministers of God commend themselves.
3. Paul proved himself to be a true minister of Christ by the fortitude with which he endured sufferings, and by the constancy with which he adhered to his Lord under all those trials. “In much patience.”
4. He enumerates in these two verses the trials to which he was subjected. These are arranged in three classes.

a) The first are general trials, afflictions, necessities, and distresses. (Ch. 12:10)
b) The second are specific, stripes, imprisonments, and tumults.
c) The third are voluntary, labors, watching, and fastings.

5. His constancy was exhibited in the cheerful endurance of all these kinds of trials.

a) The first category includes pressures from without and within; necessities, when a man is taxed to the utmost; distresses (straits), no place to turn when escape seems hopeless.
b) The second category includes stripes (Ch. 11:4, 25) to which at this time, he had been exposed eight times; imprisonments. How many times we do not know, but he was the Lord’s prisoner in every case. (Eph. 4:1) Tumults. The word means tossings to and fro, but always in the New Testament it refers to riotous outbreaks.
c) The third category includes labors, indefatigable exertions in traveling, studying, preaching, caring for the churches; watchings, constant vigilance, sleepless nights, etc.; fastings including all voluntary acts of self-denial.

6. A simple reading of Paul’s life and ministry in the book of Acts is sufficient proof of these things.
(Acts 13-28)
7. It is the lot of faithful ministers often to be reduced to great difficulties, which require much patience. Those who would approve themselves to God must prove themselves faithful in trouble as well as peace.

C. HIS MINISTRY IS FURTHER PROVEN BY THE GRACES AND GIFTS HERE SPECIFIED. (VS. 6, 7) Paul had approved himself to God not only by his constancy and patience in sufferings, but also by acting from good principles in all that he did. He here tells what those good principles were.

1. By pureness, both in heart and life. If we are to have God’s approval, we must keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
2. By knowledge, by which he means knowledge of the Gospel; that knowledge which he manifested in teaching and preaching. (Gal. 1:12; Eph. 3:4)
3. By longsuffering, i.e. patiently submitting to injustices and undeserved injuries.
4. By kindness, i.e. benevolence, a disposition to do good, as God is said to be kind to the unthankful and the evil. (Luke 6:35)
5. By the Holy Ghost, that is, by the manifestation of the Holy Spirit as dwelling in him. This was seen by the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which he possessed.
6. By love unfeigned. This is Christian love; brotherly love; love of the brethren.
7. By the Word of truth, that is, by the preaching of the truth. The content of Paul’s preaching was God’s truth. (Ch. 4:2)
8. By the power of God. The power of God was variously manifested in Paul. It was seen in his conversion and calling; in his preparation and apostleship, etc. God’s power was abundantly manifested through Paul’s ministry at Corinth.
9. By the armour of righteousness. By righteousness he could be referring to his uprightness and rectitude in his dealings, his honesty. Or he could be speaking of the righteousness of faith, justifying righteousness. The latter is more in keeping with his defense here. Righteousness is the breastplate of faith. (Eph. 6:14) Here, it is the whole panoply. “…on the right hand and on the left.”

D. PAUL MAINTAINED HIS CONSTANCY AND FAITHFULNESS WHATEVER THE CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES. (VERSES 8-10) These verses form a distinct division in the Apostle’s discourse. In Verse 4, 5 we had the Greek preposition (en) in its local sense, in which he shows his patience in afflictions, in necessities, etc. In Verses 6, 7 the same preposition is used in its instrumental sense, where he shows his method, by pureness, by knowledge, etc. Here the preposition is (dia) and it is used in a local sense, though, in the midst of.

1. The Apostle met with honour and dishonor, nevertheless he was ever the same, maintaining the same principles, preaching the same doctrine whether his preaching was approved or disapproved, i.e. whether it was considered an evil report or a good report.
2. Though some would call him an imposter and a deceiver, while others would find him to be true, in either case he still held fast his integrity.
3. Paul was unknown to many to whom he ministered and well-known to others, but neither circumstance would see any alteration in either his walk or word.
4. He was daily dying, being hunted and persecuted, yet by the good providence of God he yet lived, and would continue to live, by God’s will. He here is reminded of the words of the psalmist. “The Lord hath chastened me sore, but He hath not given me over to death.” (Verse 9c; Psalm 118:18)
5. Appearing to others as persons disowned and sorrowful, yet he was always rejoicing in God.
(Hab. 3:17, 18)
6. Though poor so far as earthly wealth was concerned, he was making many rich in grace and eternal inheritance. (Acts 3:6)
7. “Having nothing, and yet possessing all things, as having nothing.” He had no house or lands; no silver nor gold; and yet satisfied as if he possessed all things. As he himself said of the Corinthian believers, “All things are yours.” (Phil 4:11; Rom. 8:18)