Metaphors of Believers

In 2 Corinthians

A figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another.

Metaphors are word pictures. Technically speaking, a metaphor is a form of figurative language in which a word denoting one subject or activity is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them. We use metaphors all the time. They’re so woven into the English language that we use them without even realizing it. There! We just used a metaphor. "Woven," used in reference to the activity of putting words together, is a metaphor that comes from the action of weaving thread into cloth. Occasionally we consciously use a metaphor to more vividly convey a thought or point we want to make. At those times we carefully select the best word picture to convey our message.

I. As Epistles

A. 2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (King James Version) B. The Ministry: Its Credentials, 3:1–5

1) The lives of believers are said to be “the epistle [letter] of Christ.” Christ is the author of the believer’s life, the author of his conversion and righteousness. Whatever change is wrought in the believer’s life—whatever love, joy, peace, and assurance of life—is all due to Christ.

The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (King James Version) B. The Ministry: Its Credentials, 3:1–5

2) The lives of believers are not written with ink which men use, but with the Spirit of the living God. Christ uses the Spirit of God when He wishes to communicate a message to men.

→ He does not write the message upon tables of stone as He did when He gave the commandments to Moses.

→ he writes upon the fleshy tables of the heart. He puts his message upon the hearts of men, which causes men to live changed lives.

II. Ministers, Ambassadors

A. 2Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Ministers to communicate the message of the grace of God Eph 2:8-9

1 Pe 4:11 1 Peter 4:11 (KJV 1900) 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

διάκονος -

Servant - minister

B. 2 Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Few verses more precisely summarize Paul’s ministry and message (cf. Acts 26:16–18). As Christ had preached peace to all men (Eph. 2:17) on the basis of what He would accomplish (Eph. 2:16), Paul continued that proclamation in His stead. The immediate representative of God’s message of reconciliation was Paul, whose ministry is shared by all who are “in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17, 19 ). All believers should serve Christ as His ambassadors. Paul’s appeal was not a perfunctory pronouncement but an impassioned plea (“we try to persuade men” [ 2 Cor 5:11]) addressed to the world on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (cf. 1 Tim. 2:3–4).1

III. Vessels, chosen to glorify God

A. 2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

1. The presence of God sustains the messenger. This is a precious, yet very striking verse. “This treasure” refers back to the former verse (2 Cor 4:6). It is the presence of God Himself shining in the believer’s earthly vessel, in his heart, in his earthly body.

a. God’s presence is a treasure, a precious and priceless treasure.

b. God’s presence is placed into (enters) earthen vessels. God enters our bodies, bodies that are like earthly vessels made of pottery or glass. They are ever so weak and worthless, corruptible and perishable. Yet imagine—God’s presence is placed into such earthly bodies!

c. God’s purpose for entering our bodies is to show His power by overcoming all weaknesses, even death itself.

→ “The excellency of the power” is a picture of the grandeur, glory, and preeminence of His power. It is the excellency, the great and overcoming power of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV 1900) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

IV. Workers

A. 2 Cor 6:1 We then, as workers together with him , beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

1. We are co-workers with God. They actually have the great privilege of working together with God. What is the work that they do with God? The minister who works with God does exactly what Scripture says: he “beseeches,” that is, urges, begs, and pleads with men to receive the wonderful grace of God. What is that grace? It is the glorious truth …1

• that God has provided salvation through Christ and proclaimed that salvation through Christ

2. The message of redemption is not to be received in vain. A person must not hear the message with empty, deaf ears. Redemption and salvation are available. God has made it possible—He even begs and pleads with men—to be saved; but a person can receive the message with empty ears and heart. He can either do nothing about the message or deliberately reject it. In either case he refuses …1

B. 1 Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

1. We are co-workers with God. They actually have the great privilege of working together with God. What is the work that they do with God? The minister who works with God does exactly what Scripture says: he “beseeches,” that is, urges, begs, and pleads with men to receive the wonderful grace of God. What is that grace? It is the glorious truth …1

V. Temples

A. 2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV 1900) 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV 1900) 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 Believers differ in worship.

Differ in - service

Differ in - living

We are to therefore Glorify God

VI. Sons and Daughters

A. 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (KJV 1900) 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

First, believers are to come out from among unbelievers and be separate.1

Second, the results of separation are phenomenal.

1) If we separate ourselves and consecrate our lives to God, He receives us. The word means to accept, approve, welcome.1

a. He receives us into fellowship. The separation is not for

salvation but because of salvation.

b. Because we are saved we should : Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the

world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in

the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and

the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1

Jn. 2:15–16).1

We are to be different as HIS children.