Characteristics of a High View of Preaching

Introduction:

We live in an age of technological advancement, a world that is changing in its forms of information delivery, and a world rapidly losing its ability to relate to the message of the Bible.

Why continue this pursuit?

Paul gives us perspective on these very thoughts, and hopefully, through him, the Word of God can remind us of the high view of preaching that we ought to have.

We will also be reminded why a high view of preaching is essential.

Lastly, we will be confronted with signs of low view of preaching.

What does it look like when preachers weary of their task?

Paul’s High View of His Responsibility

For Paul, preaching was not a profession.

It was a responsibility given to him by God that brought with it the responsibility to live according to the highest standards.

Notice the phrase Διὰ τοῦτο.

It is anaphoric, carrying the mind of the reader to the previous chapter.

There, Paul contrasted the New Testament with what Moses did to the Israelites while they were on Mt. Sinai.

Paul understood the permanent, eternal danger that loose practices, like Moses’ could cause.

Paul, next, describes, his possession “this ministry.”

He did not see it as his to do with his as he pleased.

Paul’s authenticity as an apostle had been challenged by false teachers, and Paul is careful, here to clarify that he did not make himself as an apostle.

This brings us to his second view of his apostleship: He was an apostle by the grace of God.

This accords with Ephesians 3:8 “Ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη, τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ” .

Paul’s Assurance of the Truth and Authenticity of HIs Message Prevented Exhaustion:

Paul’s main thought is “we are not growing weary.”

This term occurs only six times in the entire New Testament with two of the uses occurring here in this chapter (see 2 Cor. 4:16).

We see that Paul understands “exhaustion” in terms of behavior and speech that betrays the truthfulness of God’s message of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:2 explains the opposite of being exhausted.

It also forms the key contrast with Moses that Paul made previously.

Moses had hidden information from Israel creating longterm blindness to the truth.

Even if he had done it “for their own good,” his dishonesty had done irreparable damage.

Paul Details the Negative and Positive Behaviors.

On the negative side, Paul follows “renunciation” with two present participles.

These “flesh out” what renunciation of shameful behaviors looks like.

Not walking in deceit.

This anticipates the reference to Satan to come 2 Cor. 11:3.

Not baiting the word of God.

Here, most likely, Paul has in mind that he does not use the word of God to achieve some other hidden goal with people.

He does not have a hidden agenda.

He, especially, does not use the Word of God as a means to separate people from their money.

The contrast with the previous two participles also focuses on behavior.

Paul recommends himself to every conscience of men in front of God.

Through this statement, Paul connects the importance of behavior with the legitimacy and authenticity of the message.

People can see in his behavior that he’s not “faking it” in order to accomplish some other goal (like power or money).

This is extremely important for our generation too.