II Corinthians, Chapter 4
The child of God and his service is discussed in chapter

The manner in which service is to be rendered to God is found in verses 1-6. Through the mercy of God, one is called to service, therefore, we do not get discouraged (verse 1). We hold a place in God's service because His mercy has granted us favor. This favor has brought benefits, opportunities, and in particular, our eternal salvation. Because of God's call to this responsibility, we do not faint, or as William's New Testament translation puts it, "I never give up." One of Satan's most effective tools is despondence resulting from weariness and exhaustion. Paul says here, we do not get discouraged because we are engaged in a ministry granted us by the favor of God. Service to God should be rendered in honesty and not with craftiness (verse 2). Paul takes a stand against dishonest methods in the ministry of our Wonderful Lord. There are those who use underhanded, disgraceful methods to accomplish their goals. Here the servant of God is seen taking a stand against crafty methods or cunning ways. How easy it is to practice trickery to get one's way. The Word of God is never to be handled deceitfully, but one is to present the message of God openly, clearly and in a straight forward manner, not seeking to get one's own way but to present to people what God does have to say. Paul was the kind of servant of God that could commend himself to the conscience of men in the sight of God. One must remember that those who are perishing will react to the message we bring as if it is covered by a veil (verses 3, 4). The gospel in itself is glorious; and although it was clearly set forth, yet to some it remains hidden. The fault ties not in the gospel, or necessarily in the one presenting the gospel, but in the state of those who reject it. Christ came to save that which was lost (Matt. 18:11), and the gospel of Christ is sent to save such. In verse 5, our attention is drawn to the "god of this world," a term ascribed to Satan (Eph. 2:2, 6:12). He is seen here as "blinding the minds of them which believed not." In this statement it is not to suppose that this blindness is arbitrarily imposed by Satan. God is not guilty of saving some and damning others. The unbelieving heart is kept from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel which reveals the glory of Christ, Who is in the image and likeness of God. It is this revelation that denotes entrance of the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The ministry of the true servant of God is to direct men to Christ (verse 5). Some men seek to direct men to themselves, and that is the end of their ministry; for when they are gone, so are their followers. Paul's purpose in preaching was designed to bring men to recognize Jesus, the son of Mary, as Christ, the Son of God, of whom the whole Old Testament looked forward to. A servant is one who labors for another, and this was Paul's position--it should be ours! To allow the glorious message of Christ to shine through us, reaching out to others is shown in verse 6. In the beginning it was God who brought light to this world, and it is He who beams forth the light of the illuminating message of redeeming love. The majesty and glory of God are revealed in Christ and bring the knowledge of God to the human soul. Paul had experienced this glorious revelation and could speak from personal experience and deep conviction. Christ said before His return to the Father, "Ye are the light of the world." As Christians we are not the originators but the lamp by which the light shines forth.

The source of strength in our service is found in verses 7-12. Here our attention is directed to the ministry of the gospel, which brings life, power, and glory (verse 7). The emphasis is not on the earthen vessel but upon the treasure or "Jewel" which the vessel possesses. This will accomplish the purpose of directing the excellence of the power to God, not to man. As we present the Christ we possess, it should cause men to see the power of God and be taken up with bringing glory to His name. The person who brings the message has no power in himself, but his power is found in the treasure he possesses (I Cor. 3). The testing of those who carry forth the message of Christ is found in verses 8 and 9. We are troubled or pressed on every side but never hemmed in. This is the figure of a combatant sorely pressed but still finding room to maneuver or turn himself. We are suffering embarrassment and unable to find a way out but not driven to despair. To despair is to lose hope and faith. Even though we are hard driven and pursued, we are not deserted. In this hour comes our test as to our belief in the promises of God. One can hold out against unbelievable odds if within the heart there is a settled conviction that God has not deserted us. (Job) One can be struck down to the ground but never struck out and destroyed, always getting a knockdown but never a knockout. As we serve God, we are constantly called on to suffer as did our Lord to illustrate His suffering for sin (verse 10). As Paul went about ministering to the people, he received much of the same treatment as did our Lord. Suffering in the body refers to the external suffering he was called on to endure. His deliverance in these trials gave evidence of the resurrection life of Christ as witnessed by his temporal deliverance and his faith in final deliverance through Christ. In himself Paul was weak, but in Christ he could do all things (verse 11). Here is confirmed and explained of what has preceded. "I die daily" was Paul's earthly experience, and he so completely lived and walked and served Christ. Moral flesh involved the idea of weakness and the contrast of a future body without blood like unto His glorious body, which is a constant hope. As the result of Paul's suffering, they had witnessed the gospel and received it (verse 12). 1 have the suffering, and you have the benefit. Paul manifested the life of Jesus, and the Corinthian believers enjoyed the fruits of his experience.

The secret of successful service is discussed in verses 13-18. The importance of faith in successful service is mentioned in verse 13. Paul possessed a faith born in his heart by the blessed Holy Spirit. We must have a firm conviction of what we believe in order to emerge victorious in our service for God. In referring to Psalms 116:10, David's example of victorious faith and service is cited as an example to follow. As we look to others and are encouraged by their faith, so we ought to leave an example to those who follow us. Paul's faith implanted by the Holy Spirit was the source of his victorious service and would also be that of the Christians at Corinth. Service in view of the return of Christ is in verse 14. The resurrection of Jesus Christ to Paul was a fact. He had personally witnessed the fact that Jesus Christ was alive. The hope that kept Paul going in the face of the most difficult of all odds was the hope that the same power that raised up Jesus Christ would in like manner raise him up. This whole event would see Paul, along with his fellow Christians at Corinth, presented to Christ together. This, of course, includes all saints of the living God. Thus death for the child of God is not a door that closes but a door that opens and brings us into the glory of God. Willingness to suffer for the benefit of others is in verse 15. Here comes the real test of one's calling and one's dedication to the Lord. All these things, Paul says, are taking place for your benefit. He refers to all that he did, suffered, and experienced; and as the grace of God was seen in his deliverance, glory would be brought to God. The thanksgiving of many would rebound to the glory of God. Do we not praise God when there is victory experienced by another? The inner spirit of the Christian grows stronger in the face of trial (verse 16). The conflict does not cause us to faint or give up or get discouraged, Satan's biggest tool. Trouble does not cause us to be spiritless or wearied through fear (11 Tim, 1:7). Our outer man is in the process of decay. Opposition wears and tears down our outer or physical man, and so one cannot carry on as he once did because of the wear and tear of years and hardship. The inner man, however, grows stronger with the passing of years and time. Is being renewed with fresh grace and strength day by day? This is opposite to the fainting, exhausted state of the outer man. Our momentary affliction works for us an eternal glory (verse 17). Paul did not make light of what he had or was enduring, but it was "not heavy" in view of eternal things. Besides, this was all producing an everlasting weight of solid and eternal glory. This surpassed all comparisons and all calculations as to its extent. No wonder Paul declares in Rom. 8:18 these words, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Our motive of service is not temporal but eternal (verse 8). By faith we see God who is invisible; by faith we look to an unseen heaven and hell. (Faith is the evidence of things not seen.) By faith we look to escape future judgment and obtain good things, which are eternal. Materialism bases its hope upon that which is tangible to the five senses, yet all that one can tough will one day crumble. The man of faith looks to that which will last after the material things have passed. Thus eternal value is the viewpoint of the Christian who keeps things of this life in his/her proper perspective.