In 2 Corinthians 4, the apostle Paul provides five insights regarding humility.
First, God’s mercy leads to humility, and humility leads to endurance (4:1-2).
The phrase, “by the mercy of God” is the reason for both surrounding phrases (4:1).
So it is “by the mercy of God” that “we have this ministry” (humility), and it is “by the mercy of God” we do not lose heart (endurance).
Along with that, Paul also says that humility causes us to proclaim all of Scripture as a unified story (4:2).
We must humbly allow the overarching story of Scripture to speak. We dare not use tricks and gimmicks to make the Bible say something we want it to say.
We must let God’s story speak. We must explain the Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus.
A very helpful resource to help understand the Bible as a unified story leading to Jesus is thebibleproject.com.
Second, humility brings knowledge and prevents disappointment (4:3-4).
Paul’s gospel was never veiled because of his own lack of discipline to know and understand it (4:3). We must never let our own negligence or lack of understanding veil our gospel.
The gospel is much more expansive than most Christians realize. There’s nothing more foolish than to assume we already know the depths of the gospel.
In addition to knowledge, humility then also protects us from rejection (4:4).
When we preach the true good news, it’s not our fault when some reject it. Humility in the face of rejection will prevent us from giving up.
Third, humility keeps our focus on King Jesus (4:5-6).
Our lives and ministries are not about us (4:5). This is harder to practice than we want to admit.
C.S. Lewis said, “Pride is like bad breath; everyone knows you have it except you.”
My ministry is about King Jesus (4:6) and how He restores God’s Kingdom that was lost in Eden. This is so much bigger and better than simply promoting myself.
Here’s a good summary of the amazing good news of Jesus and the Kingdom:
“What Adam was to do in the Garden – that is, to govern this world on God’s behalf – is the mission God gives to Israel (Abraham’s family). Like Adam, Israel failed, and so did its kings. So God sent his Son to do what Adam and Israel and the kings did not and could not do and to rescue everyone from their sins and evil and Satan. The Son of God is the one who rules as Messiah and Lord.” (Graeme Goldsworthy)
Fourth, humility in weakness reveals God’s power (4:7-12).
Though we are temporary ministers of the gospel, the gospel itself remains powerful for all time (4:7-9).
The message of good news is like great treasure, and we are like clay pots (4:7). This insight gives purpose to any suffering we may encounter (4:8-9).
God’s power is Christ’s cross and resurrection (4:10-11). Therefore suffering and affliction is acceptable, since we know that Christ has already won, and will win in the end.
The death of Jesus opened the door to life. So even as we participate in death for the sake of the gospel, we are confident that we will also share in His triumphant resurrection.
The result of God’s power in us is life in others (4:12). Paul lived through dangerous exposure to death in order to reinforce the faith of the Christians in the churches that he founded (cf. Col. 1:24; 2 Tim. 2:10).
Sacrificial living is worthwhile so that others may benefit from the gospel.
Fifth, we preach with humility as we wait for the ultimate hope of resurrection (4:13-18).
The resurrection will reverse all suffering and death (4:13-14).
Paul has in mind his affliction as he quotes from Psalm 116:10 – I believed, even when I spoke: “I am greatly afflicted” (4:13).
Paul knows that whatever affliction and death that happens in this life will be reversed at the resurrection and life to come (4:14).
We must remember that our resurrection doesn’t happen when we die. So our ultimate hope is not life after death but life after life-after-death.
This is key to understanding what Paul means when he says to focus on what is unseen rather than on what is seen (4:15-18).
What is seen? Temporary afflictions, suffering and even death (the current point of the story).
What is unseen? Resurrection and consummation of redemption (the end of the story).
Paul’s point is to focus on the end of the story (resurrection and everlasting life on the new earth), which has yet to happen (unseen).
In summary, Paul says:
- God’s mercy leads to humility. Humility leads to endurance (4:1-2).
- Humility brings knowledge and prevents disappointment (4:3-4).
- Humility keeps our focus on King Jesus (4:5-6).
- Humility in weakness reveals God’s power (4:7-12).
- We serve with humility as we wait for the ultimate hope of resurrection (4:13-18).