BaptistWay Bible Study for Sept. 19: Magnify the words written on your heart_90604

Posted: 9/03/04

BaptistWay Bible Study for Sept. 19

Magnify the words written on your heart

2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6

By Todd Still

Truett Seminary, Waco

Preachers seem particularly prone to verbal detours. Stated otherwise, “chasing rabbits” often becomes a ministerial avocation, though not one always appreciated by congregations!

In 2 Corinthians, Paul succumbs to the temptation of digression on more than one occasion. Nowhere, however, is there a more pronounced and protracted aside in the letter than at the point where this week's lesson begins, 2 Corinthians 2:14. In fact, it is not until some five chapters later (7:5 to be precise) that the apostle returns to the subject he had broached in 2:12-13. The transition between verses 13 and 14 is so sudden and substantive some interpreters have proposed that 2:14-6:13 and 7:2-4 originally formed a portion of another letter.

Be that as it may, for our present purposes we need only to note that Paul commences a lengthy discussion of, and at points defense of, his apostolic ministry in 2:14 that he does not conclude until 6:10. And far be it from tangential, this remarkable Pauline “rabbit trail” proves to be integral to his larger epistolary and pastoral project among the Corinthians.

As Paul begins to reflect theologically upon his ministry, he gives thanks to God for leading him in triumphal procession in Christ (This is likely an allusion to the Roman celebration of military victories. Interestingly, Paul casts himself here as God's POW.) and for allowing him to share the fragrance (probably suggesting presence) of Christ (2:14). For those who embrace Christ, Paul's gospel ministry becomes fragrant; for those who reject Christ, Paul's proclamation of the cross becomes repugnant (2:15-16).

The gravity of Paul's apostolic remit prompts him to ask in 2:16: Who is sufficient (that is, competent or worthy) of such a divinely entrusted, eternally oriented responsibility? He offers both a negative and positive response to this far-from-rhetorical question in 2:17. Paul contends that unlike so many, not the least of whom would be other “ministers” now in Corinth who were criticizing him, he is not a peddler, a huckster or a charlatan. On the contrary, Paul insists he and his co-laborers are marked by sincerity and integrity as those who have been sent by God and speak for God.

A few verses later, Paul makes it clear his confidence is in the Lord and his competence is from the Lord (3:4-5). Despite being viewed as an arrogant authoritarian by both his ancient and contemporary critics (10:8), Paul did not regard himself as a self-made man whose lot in life was to recast incompetent subordinates into his impeccable image. Rather, the apostle viewed himself as one who had been grasped by and enabled by God to take the gospel to the Gentile people. If other missionaries thought it necessary to commend themselves to the Corinthians or to flash recommendation letters to the church or to request reference letters from the church, Paul contends he and his colleagues did not need to do any of these things (3:1).

Far from needing letters for or from the congregation, Paul claims, by virtue of his connection with the Corinthians through his ministry to them, that they themselves are his living letters. They are not, Paul says in so many words, impersonal pieces of correspondence that can be tossed into the trash bin like junk-mail. Instead, they are an epistle of Christ the apostle has carefully prepared and eagerly displays (3:2-3).

Developing further the letter-writing metaphor, the apostle contrasts human and divine instrumentation by declaring the letter that is the Corinthians was not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. Moreover, Paul propounds they were not chiseled on stone tablets but inscribed on human hearts (3:3). In verse 6, Paul brings together and expands upon the images he has employed and the ideas that he has raised in the first five verses of the chapter.

Specifically, the apostle asserts God has made him competent to be a minister of the new covenant. Paul describes this new covenant in an antithetical fashion. It is not, he insists, written script; rather, it is a spiritual inscription. Moreover, he maintains that whereas the letter kills, the Spirit produces life.

In the remainder of the chapter (vv. 6-18), which is not included in this lesson, Paul makes the provocative claim that the “old covenant” was a ministry of death and condemnation. By employing Jewish interpretive techniques, the apostle is able to argue that the previous covenant, represented by Moses and the Ten Commandments, possessed a degree of glory. This fact notwithstanding, whatever splendor it once had, the apostle exclaims, now pales in comparison to the covenant that continues on in Christ. By the Spirit, Paul instructs, the Lord provides spiritual insight and freedom and begins to metamorphose believers into his image.

Regardless of one's vocation or institutional/church affiliation, every Christian should be actively engaged in ministry. In carrying out the particular ministries to which we have been called, we would do well to be mindful of the theological principles and the personal commitments Paul has articulated in the Scripture we have studied today. Faithful application of the apostle's instruction will allow us to be transformed more and more into Christ's character and will enable us to become more and more Christ's letters.

Discussion questions

Why are people quick to believe bad reports about others?

Could you be described as a walking, talking letter of introduction to others about Christ? What would make you easier to read?