Verse By Verse Devotional by Pastor Jack on 2 Corinthians #96

Qualifications for Ministry (4:1-6)

4:1-6 "Therefore , since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 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. 6 For God, who said, ’Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Ministers of the gospel of the new covenant must fulfill certain qualifications. These are listed in 1Timothy 3:1-7 under the name "overseers" and in Titus 1:5-9 under the name "elders." But there are other places in the NT Scripture which shed light on the characteristics necessary to hold a position of leadership in Christ’s church. This passage in 2Cor.4 can be seen as such, especially applying to those leaders who proclaim the word of God (1Tim.5:17).

What guidance, then, does this passage give the church in selecting and maintaining its leaders?

1- Verse one tells us that in order to be a leader a man should have a godly tenacity -- not growing weary of well-doing or prone to "give up."

2- The first half of verse two tells us that a leader should have renounced all shameful or underhanded ways, implying that he should be motivated by a genuine fear of God and a sincere zeal for the honor and the kingdom of Christ, not by love of money, power or praise.

3- The second half of verse two tells us that a preacher/teacher of God’s word must never adjust it or try to improve it either for his own purposes or to make it more palatable for his hearers. He must preach the word in its pure form -- as it is, not as he wishes it to be. It also tells us that the truth of the word must not only come forth out of the man’s mouth but also out of his life; he must have a life that presses the truth of the gospel upon others, not one that makes the gospel look like a tool to obtain other ends.

4- The first half of verse five condemns the practice of any who, in the name of preaching Christ, preach themselves instead. This includes preaching Christ in such a way as to draw attention to oneself and preaching Christ for one’s own praise. This also includes refashioning the Christ of Scripture into one’s own image so that it is "self" being preached -- by means of "Christ" words.

5- The second half of verse five tells us that the man who aspires to leadership in Christ’s church must be willing to make himself a slave of others, exercising authority according to the servant-model first exemplified by Christ Himself (e.g. John 13:3-17). He must embrace the notion of pouring out his life for others -- even when those others falsely accuse and show disrespect -- for the sake of Christ.

6- Verse six (along with 3:18) describes the basis of any new covenant ministry: it radiates forth from a life that has been illumined with the light of Christ. A man must first be filled with the Light of God before he can be of any use in bringing the Light to others.

O Lord, who is adequate for these things? Surely we are not adequate in ourselves, but our adequacy is from You. You are able to illuminate a life with the light of Christ and make Your power show through human weakness. The fields are white unto harvest, and so we pray to You, O Lord of the harvest, that You would raise up workers filled with Christ, to be sent out into Your harvest.