After Paul has cast a vision of glory so grand that it puts our current troubles in perspective, he turns his attention to the promises of a future where all of our deepest longings are truly and completely met. This is the home for which we ultimately yearn, and for the followers of Jesus this is the home to which we are headed. In the meantime, life can be hard – but it is never without hope or purpose.

n 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Paul makes the astounding observation that the treasure he has been discussing (God’s all-surpassing glory displayed in Christ) is not just an abstract concept, but is a treasure entrusted to us. Men and women, limited and bound by time and susceptible to disappointment and death, become the canvas on which God displays his power and grace. Since this is the case, we can acknowledge our human frailty while, paradoxically, finding at the same time divine strength and perspective.

Responding to his skeptics, in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, Paul opens his heart up wide as he speaks about faithful gospel ministry. No matter how difficult their suffering in this work, Paul refuses to quit and insists to not lose heart because of the power of the gospel. Paul argues that he would never act in a way that is disgraceful or dishonest, though he knows some are blinded by Satan from believing their message about Jesus. We too can be confident in our own ministry, wherever God has placed us, for what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Christ!

In 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6, Paul continues to establish the legitimacy of his ministry and is quick to note that his own competency has its source in God. Further, any proper motive or hope for change finds the very same origin: God’s provision, which is most beautifully displayed in the arrival of Christ and the ushering in of the new covenant. What does this mean for us? A lot!

In 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6, Paul continues to establish the legitimacy of his ministry and is quick to note that his own competency has its source in God. Further, any proper motive or hope for change finds the very same origin: God’s provision, which is most beautifully displayed in the arrival of Christ and the ushering in of the new covenant. What does this mean for us? A lot – as we will see on Sunday. In fact, Stories of Grace on Sunday will be a fitting application of the text.

In our text for Sunday, 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11, Paul reveals his motive: “I wrote to you…to let you know the depth of my love for you.” So here we have a snapshot of what real love looks like. The treatment is not exhaustive, of course, but it is highly instructive. In our modern context where love is defined in all sorts of ways, this gives us some insight into the biblical picture of how real love cares about both purity and peace.

Paul’s opening message to the church in Corinth reminds them that in the midst of suffering, God has not abandoned them. On the contrary, he is present with them as the God of all comfort – comfort which they, in turn, can extend to others. In similar fashion, he now presses on the congregation God’s faithfulness: all his promises are “Yes!” in Christ. Although human plans may change, and his own did, nonetheless God is good for his word to the end. God’s faithfulness to us becomes an anchor both for hope and also for becoming people of sincerity and integrity: faithful to our word.

We are starting a new sermon series, called “More Grace for the Journey,” on the book of 2 Corinthians. Although Paul will need to spend time addressing the critics who doubt his authority, he does not come out on the defensive; rather, he starts with recognizing his own desperate need for God’s grace – a theme he emphasizes throughout. Paul knows his journey, our journey, is hard, and rejoices all the more that such hardship presses us to rely on God. No wonder, then, that his opening salvo in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 exults in “The God of All Comfort.”