2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10 (Part 27) True Service for The Lord: Its Suffering

• Paradox stated—4:7a: 1) A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself (goes against common sense)

• The purpose of the paradox, 4:7b: 1) The whole issue is the glory of God.

• The paradox illustrated, 4:8-12: 1) The details, vv. 8-9: 1) All 8 verbals are present tense; 2) They all come in pairs; 3) The idea is intense suffering within limitations; 4) In each pair . . .a) The first is the action of the opposition; b) The second is the delivery of God; 2) The summary, vv. 10-11.

*The means of delivery oftentimes is a brother/sister comes along and comforts

The first pair

• Troubled

• Not crushed

The second pair

• Perplexed

• Not in despair

Choices when perplexed

• The guilt road

• The expectant road

The third pair

• Persecuted

• Not forsaken

The fourth pair

• Cast down

• Not destroyed

Principle—The extremes of suffering are the thresholds of delivery

The summary--vv. 10-11

• First 4 expressions (afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down—vv. 8-9)—summarized in v. 10 “the dying of the Lord Jesus”

• The second 4 expressions (not crushed, not despairing, not forsaken, not destroyed—8-9)—summarized in v. 11 “for Jesus’ sake”

The conclusion—vv. 12-15

• Paul’s suffering is for the sake of those he ministers, v. 12

• The climax of all suffering is God’s glory, vv. 13-15