2 Corinthians 4:5-6 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.… I. THE TRUE POSITION OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER — HIS RELATION TO THOSE TO WHOM HE MINISTERS — is here clearly set forth as — 1. A position of humble servitude. "We preach... ourselves as your servants (lit., bondservants)." He cannot preach Christ effectively who has not first learned the spirit of Christ — the spirit of complete self-sacrifice and self-abasement. He Himself, though Lord of all, took upon Himself the form of a servant. The service of the servants of God means the dedication of the inner man. The fetters of Christ are upon his heart. 2. But, on the other hand, the position of the Christian minister, as here indicated, is one of noble independence. "Your servants for Jesus' sake (lit., on behalf of Jesus)." To the preacher the exhortation comes with special force, "One is your Master, even Christ." And this complete independence of the Christian minister is absolutely essential to the faithful discharge of his duties. He is not set to please men. For only in liberty can he be strong, and only in bondage to Christ can he be free. II. THE SUBJECT-MATTER OF THE MESSAGE; OR, THE PREACHER'S ONLY THEME. "We preach... Christ Jesus the Lord." 1. Observe the uncompromising exclusiveness of this theme. It is a theme which must never be relinquished, or even temporarily lost sight of. Nothing else must ever be allowed to take its place. The subject-matter of the message is not morality; it is neither duty nor dogma, but Christ Jesus the Lord. 2. But although this theme is exclusive it is by no means narrow. I ask you to note its infinite comprehensiveness. It is not morality, yet it is all morality. It is not duty, yet it includes every duty. It is not dogma, yet it comprises the entire circle of Divine doctrine. In Christ there is the fulness of manhood, as welt as the fulness of the Godhead; and out of His fulness may we all receive encouragement and helpfulness in every circumstance of life. III. THE PREACHER'S HIGH RESPONSIBILITY. "Not ourselves." (J. Pollock.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. |
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