Taking the Shame Out of Suffering

We began our study of 2 Corinthians last Sunday with an introduction and overview of the letter.  As we saw, the occasion and purpose of the letter centers on the emergence, within the congregation, of an opposing leadership, whom Paul will later refer to, rather tongue in cheek, as “super-apostles”.   High-powered ministers who flaunted their image, impressive credentials, giftedness, and abilities, offering a ministry much more appealing to the Corinthians secular notions of successful leadership.  These opposing leaders, in addition to promoting themselves, had launched a concerted campaign to undermine Paul, both in terms of his credibility and calling as an apostle.  And one of their principal criticisms had focused specifically on the degree and extent of his personal sufferings.  Instead of downplaying those sufferings, or trying to explain them away, Paul made use of the introduction of his letter to respond to their criticism, right out of the gate, by fully embracing those sufferings, not as a disqualifying mark against his ministry, but as fundamental to the very nature of ministry itself.  We’ll consider that introduction together, in a message entitled, “Taking the Shame Out of Suffering”, from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11.

Scripture Reading – 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Sermon