Christ the Supreme Theme of a Gospel Ministry
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.…


I. THAT TO PREACH CHRIST JESUS THE LORD IS THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC AND PROPER EMPLOYMENT OF A GOSPEL MINISTER. It may be affirmed that something concerning Christ hath been the principal subject of every revelation that came from God, downward from the original promise made to our first parents (Acts 10:43; 1 Peter 1:10). And if Christ was an object of such importance to those who lived before His manifestation in the flesh, it cannot surprise us to find that they who could testify that He was come, and had finished the work that was given Him to do, should in all their writings and discourses dwell upon Him as their constant theme. But what are we to understand by preaching Christ?

1. It plainly imports that we make Christ the principal subject of our sermons.

2. To preach Christ Jesus the Lord is to handle every other subject of discourse in such a way as to keep Christ continually in the eye of our hearers. We must acknowledge Him as the author of the truths we deliver, and improve them so as to lead men to Him. The apostles introduced upon all occasions the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, both into their discourses and epistles, and never failed to press the duties they enjoined by those regards which are due to Christ Himself. Thus humility and self-denial are recommended by the lowliness and patience of Christ. Husbands are charged to love their wives, "as Christ loved His Church."

3. To preach Christ Jesus the Lord is to make the advancement of His kingdom and the salvation of men the sole aim of our preaching.

II. THAT PREACHING CHRIST IS THE PROPER BUSINESS AND THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC OF A GOSPEL MINISTER. Can anything be more reasonable than that they who profess to derive their authority from Christ should make Him the principal subject of their sermons, and recommend Him to the esteem and love of their hearers? But what I would chiefly observe is that preaching Christ Jesus the Lord is the great means which God hath appointed for the conversion of sinners; and therefore it is not only highly reasonable, but absolutely necessary.

(R. Walker.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

WEB: For we don't preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake;




Christ as Lord
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