10 Things I Learned From 2 Corinthians

I finally finished up preaching through 2 Corinthians. I’m glad to be finished (and think my congregation is as well). All of God’s Word is food for our soul and is necessary for our growth and development. However, some passages are luscious dessert and other passages are a bit more likely broccoli—good for you but not always the most enjoyable to eat. 2 Corinthians proved to be a bit more like broccoli. Nevertheless, I learned a ton going through this book. Here are 10 things:

1. The most valuable commentaries to me in preaching through 2 Corinthians were Scott Hafemann’s work in the NIV Application Commentary and R. Kent Hughes’ work in the Preaching the Word Series.
2. Understanding “his power & our weakness” is the key to understanding all of 2 Corinthians. This was the message the false teachers denied, the message the Corinthians failed to grasp, and the cornerstone of Paul’s ministry.
3. How we view ministry displays what lens we view the world through. Apart from a right understanding of the gospel we view ministry a bit like watching a 3D movie without the glasses. The gospel gives us the glasses by which to accurately review our own ministry as well as how to assess the work of others.
4. People have been disappointed with their spiritual leaders even since 2 Corinthians. This letter is a great place to go in order to see how to respond to criticism.
5. The prosperity gospel wreaked havoc in the first century and it’s just as deadly and dumb today as it was then. If you have a friend who is dabbling in prosperity gospel garbage walk through 2 Corinthians with them.
6. Sometimes you have to answer fools according to their folly. 2 Corinthians 10-13 is Paul doing exactly this. For the good of the Corinthians Paul engaged the foolish false teachers in their folly.
7. How you smell suffering…uniquely how you smell Christian suffering…displays what side you are on. If it’s the aroma of life (though being poured out before Christ) then you are following in the footsteps of Jesus. If it’s bitter all the way down then you’re likely too attached to this world.
8. Our future hope means that Jesus gets the last word on our life and our ministry.
9. Moses’ veiled face wasn’t an act of deception but of mercy.
10. Not being unequally yoked has more to do with personal holiness than who you can and cannot date.

I’m not sure I’ll ever preach through 2 Corinthians again, but it was one that really shaped me and helped me through a relatively difficult season in ministry. There were many Sunday’s where, honestly, it hit a bit too close to home and was difficult to preach. But I believe this was a word our church needed in this season, so I’m glad I preached through the book. I pray that I was faithful and that Christ was honored.

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