Defending and Commending
2 Corinthians 6  

As Paul is defending his ministry, he turns it into an opportunity to urge the readers to give themselves to ministry and service. Chapter 5 ended with,  

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  

In those days an ambassador was a senior statesman representing his king in another country. We represent Christ in our communities and within our sphere of influence. And when we represent Christ and speak on His behalf it is “as though God were making an appeal through us…”.  

It’s necessary to defend 

Then turning back to his defense, Paul writes this in 6:4ff, “but in everything, commending ourselves as servants of God…” Remember, Paul doesn’t usually spend time commending himself. But unfortunately, he finds he has to in order to save his beloved people from the influence of the false teachers. He goes on to commend himself in three ways;  

1. in his perseverance through difficulty 

1. in his use of the provisions of grace given to him by God  

1. in the paradoxical realities of ministry (these paradoxes are kinda cool) 

We see these three ways as we continue with verse 4; 

1. showing his perseverance–“in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonment, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger.”
2. showing his full use of God’sprovisions– “in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”  
3. the paradoxes of Paul’sministry– “by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report, regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing, yet possessing all things.” 

Paul cares 

Most of us really can’t relate to Paul. God had really stripped him of all earthly possessions and earthly ambitions. The essence of his life was concern for others. We on the other hand, living in America, are fiercely self-concerned. We certainly care deeply about our family, our loved ones and very close friends. But I am guilty, and maybe you too, of not giving too much thought about others beyond my loved ones. Maybe I care more than some and less than others but when compared to the life Paul was called to live??? Well, you see my point.  

Conviction not guilt 

If we raise our standard to the biblical standard we see in Paul, well, our level of self-absorption is very, very convicting. I don’t write this to pass on guilt. Guilt immobilizes progress and causes despair. Let’s not go there. Biblical conviction, however, challenges us to reflect and then press on with a greater commitment and passion to move toward our mission. Lord, today help us press on toward a deeper care for all who are around us. Let us see them through your eyes and care about them as you care for them. And may we act and speak accordingly, in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. Amen