Sermon Tone Analysis

(in the Greek it reads) (v.

6, "Being confident -- therefore always -- and -- knowing-- that -- being at home -- in -- the -- body -- we are away from home -- [when] away from the -- Lord) "By faith -- for we walk, not by sight;"

I. Inclusive - including or covering all (…We walk…)

Paul's Use of "We" in 2 Corinthians (The New Interpreter's Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes)

Paul employs the plural in self-reference more in 2 Corinthians than in any other letter.

Paul uses the plural in an effort to get the Corinthians to ally themselves with him for particular goals.

1.

By using plural pronouns, Paul regularly invites the Corinthians to think of themselves as one with him--a major objective in all of 2 Corinthians.

2. By using plural pronouns Paul encourages the Corinthians to think that Paul does not stand alone, that he has a widespread support, and that he is part of a larger group...who advocate the gospel as he does.

3.

While some Corinthians might question that Paul was a minister of the gospel, Paul's regular description of his ministry in the plural "we" leaves them no room to deny that God has commissioned ministers such as he and must make it more difficult to deny that Paul is one of them.

4. The plural allows Paul to depict himself in rather grand fashion, with diminished risk of his being thought to be boasting inordinantly.

II.

Conclusive - ending any doubt or uncertainty about a situation

“By faith, [for] we walk [live]...

to live or behave in a customary manner, with possible focus upon continuity of action—‘to live, to behave, to go about doing.’

to live or behave in a customary manner, with possible focus upon continuity of action—‘to live, to behave, to go about doing.’

III.

Exclusive -

“…not by sight...” - the word always being used of the fact of being seen rather than the act of seeing [Gerhard Kittel, “Εἶδος, Εἰδέα (ἰδέα),” ed.

Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 374.]

the word always being used of the fact of being seen rather than the act of seeing

“(not by) sight - the shape and structure of something as it appears to someone, form, outward appearance...”

Gerhard Kittel, “Εἶδος, Εἰδέα (ἰδέα),” ed.

Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 374.

, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being...”

Conclusion

We are not INTERDEPENDENT with GOD; We are not INDEPENDENT of GOD; but We are DEPENDENT on GOD!