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"For the ministry of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but also
aboundeth through the many thanksgivings to God, for they, through the proof of this
ministry, are glorifying God for your avowed subjection to the gospel of Christ."
It is fairly evident, we trust, that "ministry" is the dominant theme in this epistle.
We must now approach our subject by way of the ministry of the new covenant.
Readers must not be impatient, as it is important that we get the right view, and that is
obtained not by speculation, but by submissive study of the Word. II Cor. 2: 17 to 7: 4
is largely occupied with the two ministries, namely, that of the new covenant and that of
the reconciliation. This will be seen more clearly if we have the whole epistle spread out
before us.
II Corinthians.--The epistle as a whole.
A | 1: 1, 2. Salutation.
B | a | 1: 3-11. Thanksgiving for comfort in affliction.
b | 1: 12. The apostle's manner of life.
C | 1: 13-2: 13. Subject matter of writing.
Visit, vindication, no rest in spirit, Macedonia.
B | a | 2: 14-16. Thanksgiving for triumph in affliction.
b | 2: 17-7: 4. The apostle' ministry.
C | 7: 5-13: 10. Subject of writing.
Visit, vindication, no rest in flesh, Macedonia.
Chapter 2: 17 - 7: 4 sub-divide into four sections:--
A |
2: 17-4: 7. The ministry of the new covenant. "No need of commendation."
B
| 4: 8-5: 11. Resurrection power in great tribulation.
A |
5: 12-7: 3. The ministry of reconciliation. "Commendation of sufferings."
B
| 7: 4. Exceeding joyful in tribulation.
It will be observed that the apostle's experiences are made either to correspond with,
or to alternate with, his ministry. Upon examining these experiences, two connected
truths stand out prominently, namely, (1) the complete discounting of the flesh, and
(2) the supreme importance of the resurrection not only as a future hope, but as a present
factor doctrinally, practically, and, as we shall see dispensationally.
Consolation in deepest affliction, and that directly connected with resurrection, meets
us in the first chapter:--
"For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, as to our tribulation which happened
to us in Asia, that exceedingly beyond power were we weighed down, so that we
despaired even of life. But we ourselves within ourselves have the sentence of death, that
we might rest our confidence not upon ourselves, but upon God who raiseth the dead"
(II Cor. 1: 8, 9).