Necessarily Weak

One essential corollary to the truth that the gospel is the power of God for salvation is the truth that this gospel does not need any other power to back it up or to make effective. In fact, God has chosen that the power of this gospel will be seen most clearly when it is proclaimed in a position of weakness, with all outward indication that it is in the process of being defeated by the powers of sin, the world and the devil. It is then clear that the gospel is the power of God.

2Corinthians 4:1-12:

4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

1. Paul’s confidence is in the ministry of the gospel by which people are brought into the knowledge of God and transformed into Christ’s likeness with ever-increasing glory (3:18). But clearly there are things that may lead a person to possibly lose heart. Not losing heart means for Paul that he doesn’t resort to other means for furthering the gospel – such would be secret and shameful because they would cover up the gospel somehow. Rather than this, Paul is so sure that the gospel is the power of God for salvation that he continues to set forth the truth plainly. He preaches Jesus Christ as Lord.

2. In some cases there are those who do not see or recognise this power of God for salvation. The truth of the gospel is veiled to their minds, and this is a result of Satan’s blinding their minds. Rather than receive the gospel, these hearers resist it, and also resist the gospel’s proclaimers. And so the gospel comes to people in “jars of clay.” It is essential that the gospel bearers be known as “jars of clay” so that the gospel’s source of power is truly recognised.

3. The term “jars of clay” speaks of weakness, fragility, not strength, victory. A light or a treasure in a clay jar is not visible, but if the jar gets broken or damaged, then the light comes out, the inner treasure becomes visible. The gospel’s real power and glory is known as the vessels become broken in the proclamation. Paul knew much about this weakness – he suffered deeply for the proclamation of the Gospel (see 2Cor. 11:16ff.) Here he speaks of being hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. None of these things finally destroy him (there is the resurrection of the dead, which is his great hope!) but they have their impact on the vessel – “death is at work in us”. As these troubles come, then the light and power of the gospel – which is love – shine through, and the gospel works its power – “but life is at work in you.”

The suffering and weakness of the proclaimers is essential because it is only in the face of suffering and opposition that the true nature of love comes to clarity. There was no other way for Christ to demonstrate and enact the love of the Father except that he die on the cross, bearing in himself the hatred and opposition and sneering of the crowds and the race. Jesus was himself the jar of clay. He clearly taught us that the servants are not above the master. “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also … If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:20, 18) The gospel which required the suffering and breaking of the Son of God can only be proclaimed in the suffering and breaking of those the Son of God calls into the fellowship of his sufferings.

The legacy of Christendom has given us an expectation of being able to speak to society from a “privileged position.” Those days are long past in the West; and we must admit that it never was actually very helpful for the gospel. In mission history gospel proclamation was often attached to systems of educational, health, administrative “superiority”. Many communities felt compelled to receive the missionaries and their message not because of their conviction about its truth but because of the access this gave them to other benefits. We will do well to not regret the passing of this state of affairs.

Post-modernism has a strong critique of the mis-use of power; Christian proclamation is particularly the focus of the critique. While not embracing the post-modern worldview, we should thank God that this critique may free us from an idolatrous love of power, financial strength and social clout. We are being brought again to see that the only basis for the gospel’s reception is the gospel itself. And we are being brought to see that the triumph of the gospel is finally seen in that even though it is deeply opposed finally it wins even opposing hearts. Saul become Paul, the thief on the cross, the Gadarene demoniac – all give witness to this great truth.