(Chap. 4:1-18)
True Christian ministry not only occupies the believer with Christ in glory by which he is transformed into His image; it also produces spiritual exercise in the believer in regards to carrying it to others. Paul goes on to speak of some of these exercises in chapter 4.
In chapter 3 we have Christ formed in the believer; in chapter 4 we have Christ shining out of the believer. These are a result of two surpassing things—“the surpassing glory” that transforms us (chap. 3:10), and “the surpassing power” that works to radiate Christ through us to others (chap. 4:7). It is God’s desire that Christ would shine out of the vessel without obstruction. Therefore, the moral exercises in this chapter have much to do with consciously removing everything in our lives that would hinder that outflow. The transforming work of the Spirit in us is, as mentioned, a silent work that we are not conscious of, but the things before us in this chapter are a result of conscious exercise in the believer. If the transformation process in chapter 3 is a passive thing, what is before us in chapter 4 is very much an active thing.
A Ready Vessel
Vs. 1—The first exercise that every Christian minister ought to have is to be ready and willing to be used of the Lord in service. This would require courage. Paul said, “Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.” He encouraged Timothy in this very thing, saying, “Therefore. my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:11Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1); compare Eph. 6:1010Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)). Not only had Paul received “this ministry” to discharge, he had also “received mercy” from God to carry it out, because there was much opposition to it (2 Cor. 1:1010Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; (2 Corinthians 1:10)). This bowed his heart with gratitude, and inspired spiritual courage in him. The thought of being singled out by God’s grace to have the incredible privilege of ministering such wonderful truth bowed Paul’s heart and made him willing to be used in the service of the Lord. He would not “faint” (lose heart), but would take courage and be strong and throw his energy into that work with conviction.
A practical point to consider here is: being given this ministry and special mercy produced conviction in Paul and his co-workers to carry it to others. And, it should produce the same conviction in us, for we have been given that same “ministry” and the same supply “mercy.” The great question is: Are we exercised about doing something with the truth we have? It is a sad thing indeed to have these precious things and not discharge them. To sit back and not minister these things to others is certainly not the will of God (Prov. 11:2626He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. (Proverbs 11:26); 2 Kings 7:99Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. (2 Kings 7:9)). We may think that we couldn’t be of much use in the Lord’s service, but His service is not so much a thing of our ability as it is of our availability. Are we then willing to be used of the Lord? Do we have the conviction to make ourselves available to Him for His service? We can be assured that whatever the opposition or difficulty is in the path, God will give us the needed “mercy” to carry the message of His grace to others.
A Clean Vessel
Vss. 2-4—Paul’s second exercise was to be a clean vessel. He understood that if the ministry was to have power with those who heard it, the person who carried it needed to be careful that there was nothing in his life that was of a questionable character. It would only hinder the outflow of Christ. Hence, Paul testified that he and his fellow workers had “renounced [rejected] the hidden things of dishonesty [shame], not walking in craftiness [deceit], nor handling the Word of God deceitfully.” Paul may have brought this in because his detractors were suggesting that he was somewhat of a dubious fellow, or he might have thought they needed to hear it because their practices were questionable.
There are many hindrances to the Christian message reaching people. It could be unbelief or the working of the devil to blind people, but one of the greatest hindrances is often found in the minister himself! A life of “dishonesty [shame]” and “craftiness [deceit]” in those who carry the message of grace can nullify its power faster than any other thing. The Church has been at fault here—not just in our day, but throughout history—and we should be humbled by it. Gandhi (the former Prime Minister of India) said that he would have been a Christian if it were not for Christians! This is sad indeed. Such charges could be brought against others who professed to serve the Lord, but they could not be brought against Paul and his co-workers because their lives were above board in all things.
The word “renounced” (in the KJV) should be translated “rejected” (W. Kelly Trans.). Renounced implies that Paul was formerly involved in these evil practices but gave them up, but in reality, he had never lived in that manner. Even in his unconverted days in Judaism, he lived with fastidious scruples and could not be accused of such things (Acts 23:11And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. (Acts 23:1)). “Rejected” implies that he kept those things at a distance from his life and ministry.
Paul spoke of the “manifestation of the truth” which points to it being lived out practically. Elsewhere, he says that we are to “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:1010Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (Titus 2:10)). The point here is that the ministry is to be commended by the minister’s life. Paul says, “Commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Being careful in their interactions with men of the world, they kept themselves beyond suspicion, so that the ministry could not be blamed (2 Cor. 6:33Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (2 Corinthians 6:3)). The result was that there was power in their ministry; it registered in the consciences of men and bore witness to the fact that it was the truth of God.
This being the case, Paul says, “If our gospel be hid [veiled], it is hid [veiled] to them that are lost.” If people had not believed the message, it wasn’t because he had falsified it by inconsistencies in his life, but because Satan, “the god of this world” had “blinded the minds of them which believe not.” The problem was that there was a veil of unbelief over their hearts and Satan used it to blind them.
Satan, the enemy of God and man, has two great spheres in which he works:
It is not that Satan indiscriminately blinds whom he chooses. If that were the case, none would ever believe and be saved. Paul shows that there is a certain kind of a person whom Satan blinds—those who “believe not.” When a person will not believe, he opens himself up to Satan’s working. The sad result in such is that the “radiancy of the glad tidings of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine forth for them.” Hence, Paul and his co-workers were exercised to walk in such a way that if someone didn’t believe the message they carried, the fault was not with them, because in word and in deed they had an uncorrupted presentation of the truth.
Similarly, God would have His ministers today to remove everything in their lives that would hinder the outflow of Christ. We, too, need to be exercised about being clean vessels (compare Isaiah 52:1111Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. (Isaiah 52:11)). How careful we should be that our lives don’t falsify the message that we carry. Each Christian needs to “possess his vessel in sanctification and honour,” as far as personal holiness is concerned (1 Thess. 4:44That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; (1 Thessalonians 4:4)). We also need to keep ourselves separate from every false association that would dishonour Christ, so that we are truly “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet [fit] for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:2121If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)).
We are the only Bible the careless world will read,
We are the sinner’s gospel, we are the scoffer’s creed,
We are the Lord’s last message,
What if the type be crooked,
What if the print be blurred?
An Empty Vessel
Vs. 5—The third exercise Paul and his fellow-workers had as ministers of Christ was to be vessels emptied of self. He says, “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.” Their desire was that there would be nothing of themselves in the message, because they knew that it would only obstruct the radiance of Christ’s glory shining out to others. They sought to present Christ in deed and in word in such a way that all attention was directed to Him, and to Him alone. They were not seeking praise, or temporal gain, or any other thing for themselves. This apparently was what those who taught in Corinth were doing, and it was one of the reasons why the saints there were making much of their teachers (1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4-512Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:12)
4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (1 Corinthians 3:4‑5)).
The great test for all Christian ministry is whether it exalts Christ. If it gives glory and credit to man in any way, the ministry has missed the mark. A tendency in the ministry of the Word is to bring something of ourselves into the message, and this only spoils it. The Lord said, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory” (John 7:1818He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. (John 7:18)). Paul could have fascinated the saints with stories about his adventures in serving the Lord, but it would have occupied the saints with the vessel, rather than the Lord. Therefore, if he had to speak of himself, he chose to mention something that was personally humbling, rather than something that would have the effect of exalting himself (2 Cor. 11:23-3323Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians 11:23‑33)). His self-effacing manner is the model for Christian ministry.
Note also: Paul and his fellow-workers did not just preach “Christ Jesus,” they preached “Christ Jesus the Lord.” This shows that their burden was not just to present Christ—wonderful as that is in itself—but to bring the saints under His Lordship claims. Hence, the ultimate goal in ministry is to present Christ in such a way that the saints are constrained to turn over the control of their lives to Him as Lord of all. To minister in a way that results in a following of people turning after the minister is clearly a work of the flesh in the things of God.
Vs. 6—Paul goes on to speak of the reason for these exercises. Ultimately, it is for the display of the glory of Christ. As God “commanded the light to shine out of darkness” when He created the heavens and earth (Gen. 1:33And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)), He has caused spiritual light to shine into the dark hearts of men for the purpose of “the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus.” The KJV translates this verse as though God’s purpose is to give the believer the light of the knowledge of Christ, but really the thought is that through the believer the glorious knowledge of Him would “shine forth” to others. God has “shone” into our hearts and has enlightened us, but that is not the end that He has in view. He has saved us for the purpose of manifesting Christ’s glory, not only now in this world but also in the coming day of display (the Millennium). Hence, the heavenly light that shines in our hearts is not intended to be kept to ourselves, but is to be conveyed to others. As enlightened believers, we are not terminals of these glorious things, but channels of them.
When the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ shone into Paul’s heart, its first effect was to show him what he was in himself—he learned his own nothingness. After that, he could not speak of himself but only of Christ Jesus the Lord, and himself as His servant. The exercises in these verses show us that we need to get everything dubious out of our lives (vss. 2-4), and also to get everything of self out too (vs. 5), so that the glory that streams from “the face of Jesus” would flow out in power to others (vs. 6). These are healthy exercises for all who minister the Word. Of course, if we do not take time to behold the face of Jesus (chap. 3:18), we cannot expect to have something to radiate of Him to others. This is exercising too.
A Broken Vessel
Vs. 7—To magnify the display of the surpassing glory of Christ, God has seen fit to put the treasure of Christ in “earthen vessels.” This refers to our human frame. Men usually put their expensive treasures in costly boxes, but God puts this “treasure” in fragile vessels of clay. And why would He do that? Paul explains, saying, “That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” Had God put this treasure in the glorious angels that excel in strength, men would be arrested by the glory of the vessel rather than the treasure. To prevent the possibility of attention being diverted from the glory of Christ, God wisely puts the treasure in clay vessels. Then, any power that results in testimony can’t be attributed to the vessel. The result is that much is made of Christ, and nothing of those who carry the treasure. Had God worked through Paul in a splendid body of glory, he would have been viewed as a kind of superman, and the power would have been attributed to him.
Vss. 8-11—Even with weak, clay vessels (the frailty of humanity), there needs to be humbling before the radiance of the treasure shines out effectively. In these verses, Paul speaks of the exercise of breaking the vessel so that the glory of Christ would shine forth from it more distinctly and with power. This breaking does not come by sitting in a rocking chair and reading the writings of J. N. Darby, but by being put in difficult and trying circumstances. Paul says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” In his and his co-workers’ case, it was persecution, but the adverse conditions that God uses could also be sickness, life threatening accidents, financial troubles, marital trouble, family problems, the ill-will of others, etc. These things have a way of breaking down natural strength and self-confidence which only hinder the treasure from shining out of the vessel.
Note how Paul says, “ ... but not distressed,” “ ... but not in despair,” “...not forsaken,” “ ... not destroyed.” This shows that they were maintained in those trials and afflictions by divine power. It was something like the burning bush that Moses saw; it burned, but the fire didn’t consume it (Ex. 3:1-61Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exodus 3:1‑6)). Hence, we see human frailty on one hand and divine enablement on the other. The very weakness of the vessel becomes the opportunity for God to demonstrate the surpassing greatness of His power that radiates from it.
Paul says that those trying circumstances wherein they were “pressed out of measure” (chap. 1:8) led him and his fellow labourers to the exercise of “always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” That is, they sought to emulate the spirit of submission the Lord displayed in His life in His willingness to be reduced to nothing. Note: it is not the death of Jesus that Paul is speaking about here, but the dying of Jesus. (The application of Christ’s death to the believer, developed in Romans 6 and Colossians 2, is a different line of truth from what we have here. It has to do with an experimental application of Christ’s death to the flesh in the believer, whereby he reckons himself “dead indeed unto sin” – Rom. 6:1111Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11).) Nor does this verse refer to the Lord’s dying to make atonement for our sins, but rather it is His willingness to be reduced to nothing as a righteous Martyr.
In verse 10, the KJV says, “the Lord Jesus,” but it should read “Jesus.” The Spirit of God is emphasizing the grace that was in His life as a Man on earth, which His name “Jesus” conveys. Paul’s point in this passage is that the persecutions to which he was subjected were an occasion for him to show forth the graces of the life of Jesus. His personal exercise in regard to these trials of persecution was that he would be truly a broken vessel in the hand of the Lord by accepting, submitting to, and sharing in His martyrdom sufferings. He desired that the same willingness to be reduced to nothing, which was seen in perfection in the Lord, would also be seen in him. This was a voluntary exercise of Paul.
God uses these adverse circumstances that come into our lives beyond our control to exercise us about emulating the spirit of submission and self-abnegation the Lord had in His life. The principle is simple: when there is less of us in the vessel, the more there will be seen of Christ shining forth from the vessel. With the obstruction of self out of the way, people will see “Jesus” in us. The result is that the glory goes to God, and not to the vessel that has been used to transmit it.
There is a type in the Old Testament of this breaking in the life and service of Gideon (Judg. 7:16-2016And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. 18When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. 19So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. 20And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. (Judges 7:16‑20)). In their testimony for the Lord, he and his men were to have “lamps within the pitchers” that they held up in the night. The vessels in which the lamps were set hindered the shining forth of the light, and therefore, needed to be broken. But when they were, a powerful testimony was rendered before their enemies and a great victory was won for the Lord and His people. But note, it was not God who broke those earthen pitchers that Gideon’s men held; his men broke them. This shows that God’s servants need to be exercised about the breaking of the vessel. When that same exercise of self-abnegation is borne out in us in practical experience, the life of “Jesus” will also be “manifest” in us.
While Paul sought, through exercise, to emulate the spirit of Jesus in denying himself (vs. 10), God was also delivering him into situations where he was forced to keep the sentence of death on himself (vs. 11). He says, “We which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake.” This was an involuntary thing, for no one looks to get into those life-threatening situations voluntarily. God permitted many things to come upon Paul—such as the episode at Ephesus, which he described in chapter 1 as “so great a death”—and He used those things to manifest the life of Jesus in Paul’s mortal body.
Vs. 12—So, while “death” worked in a practical sense in Paul and his fellow-workers, the great result was that “life” worked in the saints. That is, those heavenly things that pertained to eternal life were made good to the saints in that they profited from the ministry.
Hence, the idea of being a broken vessel is not to have a will of our own in matters of life and service for the Lord. The human heart is quite naturally opposed to submission and obedience. However, the trials and sufferings which we encounter in the way are placed there by a loving Father to break our wills so that there is less of self in the vessel. It is all done with a view to having more of Christ shine forth from the believer’s life. Brother Whitaker aptly said, “God whittles us down to a useful size.”
The various trials we pass through are ordered of God to exercise us about certain things that may be in our lives which only hinder the outflow of Christ. J. N. Darby said, “Trial cannot in itself confer grace, but under God’s hand it can break the will and detect hidden and unsuspected evils, so that if judged, the new life is more fully developed and God has a larger place in the heart. By it lowly dependence is taught; there is more distrust of self and the flesh, and a consciousness that the world is nothing, and what is eternally true and divine has a larger place in the soul.”
At the unveiling of a huge statue of a lion, the sculptor was asked how he produced such a magnificent piece of art. He said, “I just chipped away everything that didn’t look like a lion!” Similarly, God is chipping away at our human vessels so that more of Christ will be seen. Much of God’s dealings with us in trials and afflictions are ultimately to help the shining forth of the “treasure” that He has placed within.
There are two things then; we are to be exercised about being reduced (vs. 10), and God is working to that end also (vs. 11).
In summarizing these exercises that should characterize a true servant of the Lord, Paul has touched on four things that hinder the outflow of Christ from our human vessels. They are:
Lack of courage (vs. 1).
Dishonesty and deceit (vss. 2-4).
Self-importance (vss. 5-6).
An unbroken will (vss. 7-11).
Four Things That Sustain the Minister
Chap. 4:13-18—Paul goes on to speak of four things that sustained him and his fellow-workers in their Christian service. They were constantly being subjected to the dangers of persecution, and this was wearying as it went on day after day. There is much to discourage and “wear out” the servants of the Lord (Dan. 7:2525And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25)), but God has His way of sustaining them in the path. Paul now speaks of these things for our encouragement.
1) Faith in the God of Resurrection
Vss. 13-15—The first thing Paul mentions is his faith in God. Faith in the God of resurrection strengthened him to speak for the Lord and to suffer for the Lord. He says, “The same spirit of faith” that worked in the Psalmist worked in him and his fellow-workers. Psalm 116:1010I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: (Psalm 116:10) says, “I believed, therefore have I spoken.” He took encouragement from it, and said, “We also believe, and therefore, speak.” There is a moral order in what Paul has been giving us: he has referred to manifesting the life of Jesus (vss. 10-12); now he refers to speaking the truth to others (vs. 13). One is a platform for the other. Without the manifestation of Christ in our lives, speaking the truth will have little power.
Paul not only had faith to speak the truth (vs. 13), but he had faith to suffer for the truth (vs. 14). What sustained him in the way of testimony was his faith in the power of God that raised Christ from the dead. He believed that even if he were to die as a martyr, the same power that raised up the Lord Jesus would raise him up too. He said, “Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by [with] Jesus, and shall present us with you.” Being raised “with Jesus” doesn’t mean that the resurrection of Christ was still future, but that if he died in service, he would be raised in the same way and character of Christ’s resurrection, because His resurrection is “the firstfruits” of the resurrection of the saints (1 Cor. 15:2323But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)). Thus, faith strengthened him to keep going in the service of the Lord. He could face death daily and yet be sustained in such adversity because he knew that if He died, He would be with Jesus.
Paul adds that the “things” (the afflictions) through which he passed were “for your sakes.” His whole life was engaged in manifesting Christ and speaking of Christ for the good and blessing of the saints. The grand aim of it all was that he would “cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” in the saints. His desire was that they would profit from the ministry and it would produce a response in them in the overflow of thanksgiving to God. Hence, the grace of God multiplies itself in its objects and causes thanksgiving to abound to God.
2) A Daily Renewal of the Inward Man Through Prayer and Meditation in the Word
Vs. 16—A second thing that sustained Paul and his fellow-workers was the daily renewal of the inward man. This refers to the rejuvenation of the soul and spirit through prayer and meditation. He said, “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” The “outward man” is our physical bodies. Our bodies are perishing because they are mortal—subject to death. They are slowly wearing down through age and wear, and in Paul’s case, through the rigors of persecution. “The inward man” is the soul and spirit. Food and rest rejuvenate our physical bodies, but our souls and spirits are rejuvenated through prayer and feeding on Christ in the Word of God (John 6:54-5754Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (John 6:54‑57)). This spiritual renewal kept the Apostle going forward in the path of faith and service.
Notice: Paul said that it was “day by day.” This shows that prayer and meditation should be a daily thing; to have “a quiet time” with the Lord once a week is not enough. If Paul and his co-workers neglected personal time with the Lord, they would not have been able to carry on in the path of faith—and neither will we! Every Christian needs a daily “quiet time” of prayer and reading the Scriptures, whereby his soul and spirit are refreshed and strengthened; it is the Christian's spiritual lifeline.
3) Understanding that the Afflictions in the Path Are Working for Our Eternal Profit
Vs. 17—A third thing that sustained Paul and his co-workers was understanding that the afflictions and hardships they experienced in the path were working something for them that was of eternal value. He said, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [surpassing] and eternal weight of glory.” Paul was not speaking about rewards but of spiritual capacity. Rewards for faithfulness in our Christian lives are for the Millennial kingdom when we reign with Christ (Matt. 19:28; 20:23; 24:45-4728And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)
23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. (Matthew 20:23)
45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. (Matthew 24:45‑47); Luke 19:16-1916Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (Luke 19:16‑19)), but we do not take our rewards on into the Eternal State (Rev. 22:55And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5) – “they shall reign to the ages of ages”). However, Scripture does tell us that our spiritual capacity, which is being formed now on earth, will be carried into eternity.
There are two things in particular that God uses to deepen our spiritual capacity: Firstly, there is what we gain through hearing, reading, and meditating on God’s Word. As we read and meditate on His Word, the Spirit of God makes indelible impressions on our souls of the mercy, love, grace, goodness of God, etc. These things will “not be taken away” from us; we will carry them on into eternity. This is what the Lord said of Mary who took time to sit at His feet and hear His Word (Luke 10:4242But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)). All the children of God will have their understanding of divine things complete then (1 Cor. 13:1212For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)), and their joy will be full, but these impressions will be different in each one of us. Secondly, there are the spiritual lessons that we gain through trials in the path of faith. Paul says that these things work “for” us an “eternal weight of glory.” Note: it is not a Millennial weight of glory. This shows that what we go through with the Lord, in time, will have an eternal answer.
We will all have a full cup in eternity, but each cup will be different in size and shape according to the experiences we have had in life. Our capacities are being formed now in the measure in which we profit from the lessons and experiences in the way. And let us remember too, that in all that God allows to happen to us in the way of suffering and trial, that these things are all “for us.” Job acknowledged this in saying, “He performeth the thing that is appointed for me” (Job 23:1414For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. (Job 23:14)). At times, when we are in trial, we may think that God is against us, but it is not true. These things “work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28-2928And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28‑29)). Having an understanding of this great fact enabled Paul to endure the sufferings of this “little while” (1 Peter 5:1010But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)) and to carry on in the path of service.
The Apostle counted the present afflictions for the gospel’s sake as being “light” and lasting only “for a moment,” though for him, it was some 30 years! In the light of eternity such sufferings in the path of service are but “for a moment.” The lesson for us here is not to struggle against the difficulties and trials that we experience, but rather to be exercised about them and try to profit from them.
4) Keeping Our Eyes Fixed on Invisible Things that are Eternal
Vs. 18—The last thing that Paul mentions that sustained him in the path was having his eye fixed on eternal things "which are not seen." To the man of the world, this is nonsense. He asks, “How can a person look at invisible things?” Of course, the Christian looks on those things with the eyes of faith, for faith sees unseen things (Heb. 11:11Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)).
Proverbs 29:1818Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18) says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Paul had a vision before his soul of the glory and of eternal things, and this kept him going in the path. He was passing through this scene, but he didn’t have his eyes on it; his eyes were fixed on what is ahead. Had he put his focus on this scene, he would have lost his spiritual energy to go on. When Peter kept his eyes on the Lord, he walked on the troubled water, but when he turned and looked at the waves, he began to sink (Matt. 14:29-3029And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:29‑30)). If we, like Paul, have our eyes fixed on Christ and eternal things beyond this life, we will be upheld by divine power, and our strength will be renewed to continue in the path.
Thus, in these chapters we see that Paul’s eye was focused on two things: “the glory of the Lord” (chap. 3:18), and the things which are “eternal” (chap. 4:18). The first produces a moral transformation of character, the second a sustaining power for the path of faith and service.