“Hope Eternal”
Scriptural text: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:1-10
Confidence in Ministry ( 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
The Apostle Paul stated that the trials of his ministry did not push him to the point of despair-the reason being that he had received the mercy of God. The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in troubled times. They knew that Christ was raised, and that His resurrection was an earnest assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrection will encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death. Also, their sufferings were for the advantage of the church, and to God’s glory. The sufferings of Christ’s ministers, as well as their preaching and conversation, are for the good of the church and the glory of God. The prospect of eternal life and happiness was their support and comfort. The weight of all temporal afflictions was lightness itself, while the glory to come was a substance, weighty, and lasting beyond description.
Paul exhorts the Corinthians to look at the things which are not seen. These cannot be physically viewed, rather, they are spiritually discerned.
Contemplations of the New Life ( 2 Corinthians 5:1-4).
The believers not only is well assured by faith that there is another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through grace, of heaven as a dwelling place, a resting place, a hiding place, in our Father’s house are many mansions, whose Builder and Maker is God. The happiness of the future state is what God has prepared for those love him: everlasting habitation, not like the earthly tabernacles, the poor cottages of clay, in which our souls now dwell, mouldering and decaying whose foundations are in the dust. The body of flesh is a heavy burden, the calamities of life are a heavy load. Death will strip us of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of life, as well as end our troubles here below. But believing souls shall be clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and glory. The present graces and comforts of the Spirit, and in his ordinances, yet we are not with Him. Paul did not want to die before the Lord returned; hence he would be unclothed (verse 3). This is the sense of the verse: death before the parousia would mean that he would be found “naked.”
Verse 4 sums up the desire of Paul and all believers that they would be alive when the Lord comes so they can participate in the great day of the Lord’s second coming. “Being burdened” expresses the reality that although his ministry has been fulfilling, it has not been without countless hardships.
Confidence through the Spirit ( 2 Corinthians 5:5-9).
All that has happened and will happen is the work of God. The believer has the assurance of the promise because of the gift of the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion.
References: Adame Clark Commentary, Townsend Press Sunday School Commentary 2020-2021