In chapter 1, Paul described how his message came from Jesus not from any man. He explained how he received his message independently from the other apostles through revelation from Jesus. Because of this, he was no second-class apostle.
In chapter 2, Paul describes how even though he received his message independently from the other Jerusalem apostles his message was identical to theirs. There is only one gospel.
To prove that his message was identical to the other apostles, Paul stresses how he paid a visit to Jerusalem fourteen years after his conversion. At this meeting, Paul’s gospel was endorsed and approved by them. And an important word is said about the poor in v 10.
In this passage, the amazing, powerful, counter-intuitive grace of God is on display! Paul gives us a picture of God’s transforming grace by relating his story: from terrorist to an evangelist.
He was transformed. He was not just tweaked.
You tweak a sentence, a graphic, or a schedule. But we don’t need to be tweaked; we need to be transformed.
Religious acts tweak people externally, but only the Gospel transforms people internally.
In this passage, Paul is addressing the problem in Galatia: false teachers and their false gospel. And the bigger problem: the Galatians were listening to these false teachers! Another Bible book that deals with the subject of false teaching and false gospels is the book of Jude. There, Jude urges believers to “contend for the faith.” The word “contend” was an athletic term, meaning to “agonize greatly” or “struggle for.” Contending for the gospel is agonizing.
There are three things of great significance for us in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. We share with Paul, his motives, his message, and his mission. What is IDC about? Here you go…
#1: Our Motives: (2 Cor. 5:11-16)
He desired to please God above all things (5:9-13)
He was compelled by the love of Christ. (14-16)
#2: Our Message: The Gospel (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
Regeneration: New Life in Christ (17-18a)
Reconciliation: Peace with God through Christ (18-19)
Justification: Being Counted Righteous in Christ (21)
As ambassadors of Jesus we want to represent Jesus with our deeds and we want to make the good news known with our words. The world needs good news. We want people to be reconciled to God.
Speak Persuasively, “we persuade others” (11)
Speak Powerfully, “God making his appeal through us” (20b; Eph. 6:18-20; Prov. 28:1)
Speak Passionately, “we implore you… be reconciled to God” (20c)
