Paul Defends His Message (1-5)

Paul returned to the defense of his ministry, outlining the integrity in which he had ministered. He was being accused of failing to preach the whole message and emphasizing faith over works, especially the work of circumcision. He was also being accused of enduring so much difficulty because God's favor was no longer on him, having corrupted the message.

Paul began his defense by noting that his ministry was given to him by God's mercy, and based on God's lavish mercy, he would not lose heart (1). Paul then refuted those who had been accusing him, stating that his apostolic team had renounced doing anything they would be ashamed of, especially saying one thing in public but revealing far different motives when they were in secret. His team refused to distort the word of God to win influence and friends. Instead, the team preached in such a way that they welcomed people to scrutinize the message if their conscience bothered them about anything he was saying (2). Paul then took another poke at his accusers, stating that if what he had to say about the gospel was veiled, it was being veiled from those who were perishing in their lusts (3). Paul explained that the god of this world was blinding their minds, keeping them from seeing the Good News as being from God and about Jesus Christ, who was the perfect expression of God (4).  

Paul returned to his defense, claiming it was Jesus Christ as Lord whom he was proclaiming and himself as a servant. He was not the kind of leader who was seeking to make his ministry about himself (5).   

Paul Explains the Light (6)

Paul then injected a comment about the supremacy of Christ over the messengers who told others about Him. Paul reached all the way back to the Genesis account where God called light (Genesis 1:3) to shine so it could overthrow the primordial darkness of the world to bring about the creation of the world. Here, Paul saw a comparison to the light of revelation showing the human heart who Jesus was and the light of creation revealing to the world God as its Creator. The light in the heart was revealing Jesus as the Messiah, the Face, and Person of God, the very Reflection of God's image, who was recreating the human soul (6).  

Paul Shows How the Light Works (7-10)

Paul went on to state that once the revelation of who Jesus was lit up hearts, that treasured light shrouded in such a humble earthen vessel would ultimately light up and show the world the power of God (7).  

Paul then gave a list, by way of explanation, of how the light worked. The external jar of human life undergoes some fairly difficult experiences, but God's power works some fairly unexpected miracles: 

• Battered not demoralized

• Confused not disheartened (8) 

• Terrorized not abandoned

• Defeated not broken (9)

• Decaying unto death but doing so in the death of Jesus so that the resurrection life of Jesus could be manifest in one’s dying body (10)

How the Light Works in Paul's Ministry (11-12) 

Paul went on to recognize that his body was still dying, but at the same time, the resurrection life of God was working within him. The same light and power that began the creation process in Genesis was the same light and power that began a new creation in Paul (11). Paul saw death working in him but as he died, he also saw resurrection life working in others (12).  

Paul's Confidence in Suffering and Dying (13-15)

By “light” Paul meant the revealing of who Jesus was to the human heart, and even though death and difficulty occur, all suffering and death would be answered by faith in resurrection life experienced within. Paul quoted Psalm 116:10 and claimed the same faith as the Psalmist who cried out in affliction; even being entangled in the cords of death, he believed his prayer would be heard. 

Not only did Paul, like the Psalmist, believe his prayer would be heard, but he believed every difficulty would be an opportunity for God to show off His resurrection life within his life (13).  

Not only did Paul believe resurrection life would be seen in suffering, but he believed someday their sowing of endurance during difficulties would bring evidence of God's resurrection power. Paul viewed the ultimate resurrection power as the moment when the believer was raised (14).  

Paul summed up his perspective on the purpose of suffering: so those being served by those suffering could experience God's grace more and more, leading to many more people coming to Christ and giving thanks (15).

Conclusion: This Is Why We Don't Lose Heart (16-18)

Paul pointed out, “Yes, we are dying, and at the same time our inner man is coming more to life” (16). Affliction is momentary and easy-lifting when compared to the eternal weight of glory to come (17).   

Paul did not concentrate on his trials or what could be seen; instead, he focused his attention on what couldn’t be seen, what had been promised, what was yet to come, and what was eternal. For Paul, enduring death and suffering in faith was evidence of Christ's resurrection power within (18).