Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Cor. 3:1-9, 2 Cor. 4:7-18, 2 Cor. 5:11-15, Col. 1:19-23, Eph. 2:13-16, 2 Cor. 6:11-7:1, 2 Corinthians 7.

Memory Text: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, ESV).

Opening Question: How would you describe an authentic Christian ministry?

The lesson this week invites us to consider the various items that appear in 2 Corinthians chapters 3-7. There are several noteworthy items.

This section begins with the Apostle’s comments about the church members in Corinth being letters of recommendation for Christ. He is here using a common practice of those times to illustrate a Christian truth or make a point to the believers. In Roman times, people often carried with them letters of recommendation, hopefully from significant, respected persons in order to establish themselves in a new location. Sometimes those letters were good and useful while at other times they were mere ruses. Paul says he does not need any letters of recommendation for it is the church people in Corinth who serve to legitimize him, and not just him but also Christ who commissioned him to be a proclaimer of the gospel. Some have noted that there is both an inspirational message here and a warning for, whether we like it or not, every Christian is an open letter for Jesus and for Christianity. This fact can call us to a high standard of living while, conversely, if we do not live righteously, we provide a very sad and detrimental commentary for our Savior and church. It is claimed by many outside of the church that a major reason they cannot see themselves joining is that the testimony of the faithful is quite weak.

In 2 Cor. 3, Paul goes on to note that all adequacy in ministry comes from God, not from human abilities. He makes a very interesting and important comment when he talks about a ministry or relationship that depends on a written document that is deadly in that it cannot produce life; for life, authentic ministry occurs due to the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. The point is that no real change takes place until the Spirit works a change in a person’s heart. We may talk about God and the things of God, and we can preach, and teach, and do all manner of things but those things will not be permanent unless and until the Spirit makes an internal change in a person. In fact, this is the whole point and hope of ministry, that what we do gives occasion for people who do not believe to come under the influence of the Spirit to be changed into sons and daughters of God.