"Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses…"
2 Corinthians 6:3-4
Part 1
Indeed, the job of a pastor is a difficult one. Paul probably knew this better than any other minister. He understood this to be a high calling, and one fraught with dangers and pitfalls. So, for all pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers, church workers, and so on, let us emulate the apostle as we go about our ministry duties.
“Giving no offense in anything.”
This word “offense” comes from the Greek word, which generally means a “stumbling block.” And this can be anything over which someone could trip and fall. Paul was extremely concerned that he is not offensive in his ministry. In his writings, we find some of the life choices that he imposed upon himself to protect his ministry.
He was willing to put others first for the Gospel (Romans 9:1-5).
He was willing to go to work tirelessly (Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 15:10).
He was willing to live without pay if needed for the Gospel’s sake (1 Corinthians 9:3-15).
He was willing to suffer persecution and adversity for the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
He was not willing to let his ministry style offend others (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).
He was not willing to water down or change the Gospel to keep it from offending others (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 1:6-10).
Paul was incredibly careful about how he did ministry.
“That the ministry be not blamed.”
It is a shame, but how often do we see “the ministry” being blamed for a pastor’s improper conduct? The same can be said for deacons and others who minister in local churches. We understand the difference between “the man” and “the ministry.” Still, unfortunately, there is a lost world out there that does not. Paul obviously had the opinion that “God’s work” was much more important than his personal preferences. We know that the Corinthians accused him of not leading their church correctly. Was he to be blamed?
“Of course, Paul’s ministry was blamed and discredited by the Corinthian Christians. What Paul means is that our ministry may not rightly be blamed”[1] (Guzik).
In this case, the Corinthians were wrong, and what they held against Paul was false.
“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God.”
In every way possible, both in his actions and words, Paul wanted to bring glory to God. He desires to be commended as a good minister of Christ.
“Tyndale renders it, ‘In all things let us behave ourselves as the ministers of God.’ The idea is, that Paul and his fellowlaborers [sic.] endeavored to live as became the ministers of God, and so as to commend the ministry to the confidence and affection of people”[2] (Barnes).
How can pastors, teachers, and missionaries show themselves to be legitimate ministers of God? Come back tomorrow and let us see what we can learn.
[1] Guzik, David. David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.