Paul’s theological view
Paul’s theological view
View of afflictions
Tribulation has its benefits:
-
When we are comforted by “the God of all comfort” in our tribulation, we are able to comfort others when facing tribulation. (1:4)
-
The more we suffer for Christ, the more we receive consolation from Christ. (1:5)
-
As we suffer to the point of death, we turn our full trust to God (who raised the dead) for deliverance. (1:10)
-
Our tribulation triggers the church to pray for us and, as a result, more thanks be given by more people on our behalf after the tribulation is over. (1:11)
We have the treasure of Christ in our earthen vessels, and the power of God shall be displayed. (4:7) As we receive all kinds of affliction, we are bearing in our body the death of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body. Therefore, “death worketh in us, but life in you (the church)” (4:7-12)
“Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (4:16)
“Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (4:17)
“We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (4:18)
“If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (5:1)
Church administration
If a person has truly repented of his sin and received the due penalty, the church should forgive him. Otherwise, the person may be overwhelmed with sorrow and Satan may take advantage of us. (2:6-7,11)
As a church minister
Paul has the aspiration that the church is his joy in the Lord’s Day. He also expects himself to be the joy of the church in the Lord’s Day. (1:14)
The church is his epistle, known and read by others. (3:2)
As a servant of Christ and church: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (4:5)
As a preacher
As we preach the gospel, we are a sweet aroma of Christ to both the saved and the perish. (2:15)
Soul-winning ministers are performing glorious ministry not by knowledge but by spirit. “For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (3:6) “The Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (3:17)
We are ambassadors for Christ with the ministry of reconciliation. (5:18-20)
As a Christian
Since Christ died for us, we should not live for ourselves anymore but live for Christ. (5:15)
New life with new creation. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” (5:17)
Fight by spirit, not by flesh. "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." (10:4)
Maintain integrity. "We are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present." (10:11)
Boast not oneself, but the Lord. "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." (10:17-18)
Boast our weakness.
"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities." (11:30)
"He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong." (12:9-10)
Contribution
The churches of Macedonia first gave themselves to the Lord and then contributed the gift for ministering the saints. (8:4-5)
Be rich spiritually. "Our Lord, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that we through his poverty might be rich." (8:9)
"If there be first a willing mind", the contribution is accepted according to what we have. (8:12) "God loveth a cheerful giver." (9:7)
He that sows sparingly shall reap sparingly; he that sows bountifully shall reap bountifully. (9:6) In return, the Lord will multiply our seed sown, and increase the fruits of our righteousness. (9:10)