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“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will continue to deliver us.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
Paul’s words in the opening lines of 2 Corinthians speak for themselves, so much so that I am tempted to not write anything at all, and simply let them stand alone.
What have I to add? Paul has encapsulated the tragic beauty of the life of a follower of Christ succinctly and perfectly.
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We who follow Christ, we are not promised an easy life, or a perfect one.
As Paul did, we will suffer under pressure, pressure that will leave us in despair – such that we despair even of life itself.
Despairing so that in our hearts we feel the sentence of death.
But this, in the great sovereign plan of our God, leads us to rely on Him all the more.
How great is our God?
So great that He raises the dead.
So great that He has delivered us, and will continue to do so.
Romans 1:16-17 are the theme-verses for the entire epistle; they set up the paradigm in which the book is read and give a point of reference to which all its main points may be understood.
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“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Paul is not ashamed, but we often confuse what exactly it is he is not ashamed of.
A cursory reading might leave one feeling Paul is not ashamed of the gospel in regards to its content.
And while that most certainly is true (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Philippians 1: 12-14; Colossians 1: 24-29), and the content of the gospel most certainly is paramount (Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), it is not the content of the gospel that Paul is referencing here when he says he is not ashamed.
Rather, Paul is referring to the gospel as it is the means of delivering the transforming life of Jesus Christ.
It is not the sword that delivers the power of God, nor the wisdom of man, nor persuasion, nor coercion, nor bribery. It is the glorious and majestic nature of the one, true, living, almighty God.
Yes, we are to be prepared “in season and out of season” to preach the Word and give an answer for the faith we hold dear (2 Timothy 4:2), but we must not be under the illusion that it is our efforts alone that render the gospel so powerful. It is because of the One Whose gospel it is.
And it is the great and glorious gospel that is open to all, to Jew and Gentile alike.
As God has divinely worked throughout Redemptive History to bring His truth to His people and to all the nations, so will He continue to do so.
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“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
Romans 1:18-5:21 supports the principle argument made here, the argument that no one is righteous and none have hope, save for in the gospel.
And what is the gospel? The righteousness of God, the righteousness that we cannot attain on our own.
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesu Christ to al who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24).
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Why has the gospel been extended to us? Because the graciousness of God.
How has the gospel been extended to us? In the sacrificial and atoning death of Jesus Christ.
By what means do we receive the gospel? Through faith – faith that is from first to last and from beginning to end. For the righteous shall live by faith.
