Verse By Verse Devotional by Pastor Jack on 2 Corinthians #93

Your Slave for the Sake of Jesus (4:5)

4:3-5 "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 FOR WE DO NOT PREACH OURSELVES BUT CHRIST JESUS AS LORD, AND OURSELVES AS YOUR BOND-SERVANTS FOR JESUS’ SAKE."

Paul is responding to charges brought against him by some in the church at Corinth. It seems that either they (the Judaizers who were opposing him) were accusing Paul of preaching himself (since he didn’t carry letters of recommendation from others) or he is subtly accusing them of preaching themselves, or both.

In response Paul here vigorously and fervently proclaims Christ as the Lord/Master and himself as a slave for Christ’s sake.

Paul was not hesitant about being a slave of Christ. Being under the Lord’s authority, abandoning his own will in order to follow the will of his Master: these were not things distasteful and grievous to Paul. They were Paul’s glory. He didn’t just reluctantly admit to being a slave of Christ when pressed to answer that question. Part of his proclamation of the good news was that Christ was his Lord, and that his life was one of happy enslavement to this divine and supreme Master.

However, Paul didn’t stop there. Even though he is being criticized in Corinth, he reaches out to the believers there by declaring that he is THEIR slave for the sake of Christ. "I do not preach myself but Christ. I am not in this for myself, I am in this in order to promote Christ’s interests and yours. Contrary to what some have accused me of, I am not after my own advancement, I am seeking to advance the kingdom of God in your midst, for the glory of King Jesus. I have made myself your slave for the sake of Christ." As an apostle, Paul is their superior in terms of authority, yet he makes himself their servant in the same spirit as the One who said, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

O Lord, if Your people could only grasp the honor of being Your servants! If we could realize the blessing of being called to serve the objects of Your dear love! If we would gladly pour ourselves out for each other as Christ poured Himself out for us! What joy would be ours! How Your bride would radiate Your love! What health would reign in Your body! Please open the eyes of our hearts to see the beautiful glory of the face of our Savior, and His love for His precious chosen ones