"Jars of Clay" -- A New Episode the Blessed Hope Podcast (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)

Episode Synopsis:

In chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians, Paul addresses a subject no one likes or wants to talk about–the frailty and weakness of the human body. We have all seen images of great athletes with robust and fit bodies–the Greeks and Romans idolized the human body in their art and sculpture. But think of those magnificent bodies at their peak (say in their 20-40s) in contrast to those instances where we see the same person much older–with weight gain, joint and muscle deterioration, baldness, crepey skin and wrinkles, and the onset of illnesses and various maladies. That is what Paul is getting at here. We are all “jars of clay” destined to die. This is the inevitable outcome of Adam’s fall into sin.

Given his experience as an apostle, preaching the cross of Christ (as unpopular a message as one can find in the ancient world), Paul knows what it is like to suffer for Christ’s sake, as well as sacrifice his own body and health in the service of Christ’s church. Paul is not a masochist nor a whiner. But he has suffered greatly for the cause of Christ, especially in his work in Corinth–a church where many now belittle his work because of his physical weakness. We get hints in this letter of the emotional toll this took on Paul, as well as the impact of illness and bodily trauma. Paul recounts these matters to explain to the Corinthians why things have taken the course they have.

Paul is not a stoic who strives to “keep calm and carry on.” He is not a peddler of God’s word. Paul trusts in God’s providence through the power of the resurrected Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit to bring about deliverance from the source of all of these problems–human sin. Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that eternal things are indeed ultimately far more important than temporal things. The cross is a divinely-revealed message which speaks to these ultimate concerns, whereas Greek and Roman paganism is a mere figment of the sinful human imagination and does not–indeed cannot. In fact, Paul attributes the latter to the work of Satan–the blinder of minds and the thief of souls.

In response to the challenges he faces in Corinth, Paul does not stress fitness, diet, supplements, or exercise as we are apt to do and which are, no doubt, important to our quality of life. Knowing that bodily frailness will eventually overcome us all–Paul directs the Corinthians (and us) to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection and entrance into the glory of God. We may be afflicted and suffer now, but the glories of Christ and eternal life in his presence is our future.

Show Notes:

As mentioned in the show notes for the previous episode, this episode and the next will be significantly shorter than usual. As I explain in the episode, this has been a difficult letter from which to make decisions about the length of each podcast. Look for more short (and some long) releases to come.

There will a delay in episodes in late October and early November—I will be traveling.

Recommended Resources:

See the recommended commentaries (below)

Series Bibliography:

Frank Thielman, Paul, The Apostle of Grace. This is an outstanding biography of Paul. Expensive but well worth it. Reviewers claim it replaces Bruce’s volume, but they really are two different books. I would own both!

F. F. Bruce, Paul: The Apostle of the Heart Set Free. A bit dated but still remains a useful biographical study of Paul’s life and times

Douglas J. Moo, A Theology of Paul and His Letters (2021). A helpful big picture survey of Paul’s theology and epistles

Guy P. Waters, The Life and Theology of Paul (DVD series). A great introduction. There is also a print edition

Commentaries:

Mark Seifrid, The Second Letter to the Corinthians. This would be my first choice for an in-depth commentary

Colin Kruse, 2 Corinthians (Tyndale). This is the best choice for most readers

Paul Barnett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. This one too is very good

Riddleblog Resources: Pauline Studies and Resources

Music:

(Shutterstock): Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op 92m, second movement, Allegretto (A minor)