Comments on: The Purpose of Paul’s Suffering: To Mediate Christ’s Resurrection Life

By: Joy

Joy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:48:54 +0000

What a blessing this was to read. I am a missionary and just completed a brief lesson on the passage in Philippians when Paul says, “I want to KNOW Him and the power of HIS resurrection..” it took about 30 minutes to explain to my friend, but worth it. I can’t wait to use parts of your post to teach her more. Thank you!

By: Kent Scantlin

Kent Scantlin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:35:18 +0000

I like both NICNT commentaries, Hughes (the older one) and Barnett (the current one), Barnett being my pick of those two.

By: Kent Scantlin

Kent Scantlin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:33:35 +0000

We’re studying 2 Corinthians 4 right now in our Bible study, and what a revelation to learn that Paul saw suffering as a representation of the dying of Christ, carrying it about, as it were. Suffering was necessary to his ministry! It just highlights another way in which the prosperity gospeleteers have missed the boat.

(Incidentally, one of your refs is off–there’s not 28 verse in 2 Cor 4. I assume you mean ch. 11.)

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:08:44 +0000

So does any one live like this today? I’m asking does anyone know a person who lives their life life Paul is describing? Not did you know, but do you know. As in can pick up the phone and call and talk. Oh that God would give us all the strength to live such lives.

By: John

John — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:12:36 +0000

And I would add that the ESVSB has got plenty more TOTALLY AWESOME commentary like this. Outstanding help for this busy guy!

By: chris taylor

chris taylor — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:31:12 +0000

Mike,

I’d argue that Hafemann’s commentary is the best (NIVAC, Zondervan). In my opinion it is in a class of it’s own, balancing as best one can, between the more traditional NIVAC like commentaries and that of Nelson’s Word Biblical Commentary. It’s very through, based on solid exegesis, and yet practical. After hearing Dr. T. Schreiner say that he had read every word of the commentary and that he found it very helpful, I did the same and can say the same.

If you only buy one, buy this one. If you bought another, well you’ll need to buy this one too. I buy this one to give to pastor/friends who are preaching through 2 Corinthians.

Chris

By: J. B. Hood

J. B. Hood — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:17:41 +0000

Justin,

Great stuff here…very hard to live out! What’s amazing is how this permeates Paul’s ministry and teaching: Paul says he teaches “his ways in Christ” “everywhere in every church” (1 Cor. 4:17), and sends Timothy, who can embody this for the Corinthian church, so they can have a flesh-and-blood example of this message. It’s not just for those in (professional) ministry; it’s for all of us.

By: Ronjour Locke

Ronjour Locke — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:52:55 +0000

Thanks for the post. I highly recommend a book by Dr. Steven Smith, former professor of preaching and newly appointed dean of the College at Southwestern, entitled, Dying to Preach. Dr. Smith looks at Paul’s ministry of suffering, specifically in preaching, and how it applies to all of us who long to preaching Christ crucified and risen.

http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Preach-Embracing-Cross-Pulpit/dp/0825438977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265600941&sr=1-1

By: Mike Riccardi

Mike Riccardi — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:17:49 +0000

Thanks for your study Justin. We can always tell it’s your stuff by all the charts! :o)

Question for you and for other pastors and teachers: What’s the best single exegetical commentary on 2 Corinthians? If you had to recommend that a pastor buy only one, which would it be?

By: C. Hummock

C. Hummock — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:53:06 +0000

Thank you. For years I agreed mentally with all these truths; only more recently do I find myself living them (minutely, of course, relative to the saints of the ages). But oh, how the pains throb, the sorrows grieve and the threats frighten. Were it not for Paul’s assurances of what God is working in them, despair would be the only alternative.

I have the ESVSB and will attend to Hafemann’s Introduction.

By: Trevor - Free Christian Wallpaper Blog

Trevor - Free Christian Wallpaper Blog — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:46:14 +0000

Thank you for this post. I have been studying Paul and this is a great resource.

The Earthly Perspective and Eternal Perspective chart at the bottom was a great help.

God Bless.

By: Excellent Article on Paul’s Suffering « PLANTation

Excellent Article on Paul’s Suffering « PLANTation — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:31:17 +0000

[...] Justin Taylor writes: [...]

By: Chris Brauns

Chris Brauns — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:01:55 +0000

Thanks, Justin. This sort of post is so helpful to pastors. I filed it.

For, those who are drawn to this theme and wish to study further, I commend Sam Storms recently released, A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ. These two volumes are a reflection on 2 Corinthians. Storms writes in a very readable way. It is written as a series of devotions that models both sound exegesis and application.

I intend to post on it but have not yet gotten to it.

By: Annie

Annie — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:34:03 +0000

Daily dying and resurrecting is a great insight. I’m going to hold that thought with me this week. And it’s a special treat to read on a Sunday morning just before going to church in a country that needs to see the dying and resurrecting Jesus. Thanks.

By: Brian Petersen

Brian Petersen — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:13:24 +0000

Well said! Thanks for sharing.