Friday, April 17, 2026
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Welcome to our fourteenth presentation in this series on Saint Paul and the Church in the city of Corinth in southern Greece. Today we move into the heart of II Corinthians in chapters two through seven.
Episode 14: Paul’s Apostleship (2:14-6:13; 7:2-16)
While this entire section may seem to present a lot of images and ideas which do not seem to hold together, it does appear that Paul is defending his ministry and that of his colleagues who have served in Corinth. Specifically, Paul now begins a presentation (2:14-3:6) on what it means to be an apostle and how he fits the bill.
Apostleship is marked by the odor of Christ, the work of the Spirit. This is unlike those “who trade on the word of God.” Paul is not a peddler or huckster, seeking a benefit. Apparently, Paul sees that this is how his rivals are acting, or it is a convenient way to dismiss them. Paul knows they may have come to Corinth with letters of recommendation from somewhere else, but Paul did not need these since he was the missionary who brought them Christ, being Christ’s aroma, doing his work in the Spirit. Thus, the Corinthians themselves are Paul’s Letter of Recommendation.
The next section (3:7-4:6) is all about glory, doxa, sometimes translated as splendor or brightness. Paul contrasts the glory of Christ, whom he proclaims with that of Moses and the old Covenant. He extends this to his hearers who are also transformed; they too share the surpassing glory. Then Paul returns to the charges against him by denying any subterfuge, but only his reliance on the preaching of Jesus Christ, the image of God, who is the glory of God. This focus on glory is fascinating since it is the goal for all of us, to be like God. We are already sharing some of that glory here and now. But to be clear this is not some merited glory on our part; this is all about the work of God.
Paul then (4:7-5:10) identifies his ministry closely with Christ’s, especially his death and resurrection. The apostolic adversities always lead to life and glory. In fact, one might say that these trials, experienced by us clay vessels, actually assist the inbreaking of God’s will and grace. Such weakness or shortcomings do not compromise God’s work and glory. The Church and her ministers always present this ambiguity of being weak bearers of a powerful message. This is meant to focus on God and his glory.
In chapter five, Paul seems to be speaking of his own impending death; while this may in fact be the case, it is also possible that Paul wishes to speak of how we who are baptized, clothed in the Spirit, are not naked unless we renounce that faith. Paul may be emphasizing that we are already sharing in the transcendent glory of God, still always being aware that we will appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
Paul finally wraps up his self-defense (5:11-21) with an appeal to love and reconciliation. Paul warns against the externalism of his rivals’ lives, including possible ecstatic experiences, rather than what is of the heart, what is internal. It is the love of Christ, manifested in his death for all, that motivates him. Paul now continues the very ministry of Christ, which is God reconciling the world to himself, “so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” In other religions, there was the emphasis on people reconciling themselves to their gods in order to appease them. This is not Paul’s view of the ministry, where God takes the initiative and, in fact, through grace does all the work. We are only his ministers.
Paul now moves from a presentation on reconciliation to an exhortation to the Corinthians to become reconciled (6:1-10). He lists his trials as well as the gifts of the Holy Spirit which sustain him and his colleagues. These have all been for the benefit of the ministry. He also cites Isaiah 49, that this is the acceptable time for the Corinthians to respond.
Paul’s apostolic ministry has made much room in his life for the Corinthians. It is now time for the Corinthians to open wide their hearts to Paul (6:11-13).
Now 6:14-7:1 could possibly be the lost first letter to the Corinthians which we have discussed above and so will not be reviewed here. However, notice that 7:2 picks up right where 6:13 leaves off: “Make room for us.” Then Paul repeats that the Corinthians are already in his heart and they fill him with joy (7:3-4).
Now we get the good news not only that Titus has shown up but that he brought news of the Corinthians making the changes that Paul had sought (7:5-16). This is what had occasioned the current letter we are reading. It is very likely that Titus arrived to meet Paul in Philippi to tell Paul that the situation which had caused Paul to write his “tearful letter” (2:4) and then to make his “sorrowful visit” (2:1) had been resolved even though all this may have caused grief to the Corinthians. We know from the letter of Paul that it had caused him much grief. Titus comes across as most helpful to Paul and now Paul rejoices. He is probably most pleased because now he feels free to visit Corinth and complete the process of the collection for the Holy Land which has been a big focus of his missionary efforts of late. And that leads us into the next chapters.
Until next week, may God bless you.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing
P.S. Here is a video version of this week's talk. Please do share with friends and family. Thank you.