| Volume XXIX |
jUNE
2009
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Number
11
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What Drives Us? by Brian R. Kenyon
Fear of the Lord In a section where Paul gives the function and exercise of his ministry (2 Cor. 5:11-6:10), he begins by showing his motivation for service. Knowing the nature of the Lord and that all will stand before Him in judgment causes Paul to persuade people that he preaches from pure motives. Paul’s states, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11a, NKJ). The word “terror [fear, afraid, but can also refer to reverence for God. In the present context it seems that both may be involved. That is, because all will face God in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10), which is something to be afraid of for those who are not right with God (as Paul’s opponents), Paul has respect, or reverence, enough for God that he will do all within his power to convince the Corinthians (and others). The word “persuade” means to convince, win over; seek favor or approval from (Acts 26:26, 28; 2 Tim. 1:5, 12). Although Paul’s “persuading men” does involve persuading others to obey the Gospel, the context here indicates that Paul is speaking more about his persuading others that the motives from which he preaches the Gospel are pure. Note the later part of the verse, “but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences” (2 Cor. 5:11b cf. 2 Cor. 1:12; 3:1-6; 4:1-6). The only other place where this word translated “persuade” occurs with “men” (from anthropos, ἄνθρωπος) as its object is Galatians 1:10, another context concerning Paul’s motives. The moral and motivational integrity of preachers is very important to the effectiveness of their preaching (cf. 1 Tim. 4:12, 15; 6:14; 2 Tim. 2:22)! God knows the heart of Paul, and hopefully the Corinthians do as well (2 Cor. 5:11b). Paul’s motives and integrity in preaching are “well known [made manifest, KJV] to God.” Paul has confidence that if the Corinthians would just follow their conscience, he would be known and accepted by them just as he is known and accepted by God. Are our motives known by God and others to be pure and grounded in the fear of the Lord? Not Self-Boasting Paul is not motivated by self-recommendation (cf. 2 Cor. 3:1; 4:2; 6:4; 10:18). Rather, he gives the Corinthians opportunity to answer his opponents for themselves. “For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart” (2 Cor. 5:12). The way Paul conducts his ministry gives the Corinthians opportunity to take healthy pride in his and his coworkers’ work. The word translated “boast [glory, KJV]” (from kauchema, καύχημα) is much like our word “pride.” It can be used in a good way, such as being satisfied in our own or another’s accomplishment, or it can be used as a term of arrogance. In the present verse, it is used both ways. First, the Corinthians can “boast” (be pleasingly satisfied) in Paul’s ministry if they objectively evaluate it and not fall for the lies. Second, Paul’s opponents “boast” (are arrogant) because of their outward appearance as being servants of Christ. The way Paul conducts his ministry, however, also gives the Corinthians substance to answer these opponents who are satisfied in outward appearance (cf. 2 Cor. 3:1; 11:22; 12:1, 11-13), rather than in heart (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7). In contrast to boasting in himself because of his own self-recommendation, Paul boasts in God. “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you” (2 Cor. 5:13). In two parts, Paul shows that God and His service are his focus. In the first part of the verse, whatever Paul is, he is for God. The word translated “beside ourselves” (from existemi, ξίστημι) means to be amazed or surprised; to stand out of oneself or beside oneself. The word can also indicate “mental imbalance” (Mk. 3:21). The application in this verse has been taken in at least two ways (adapted from Kruse 121). First, Paul may be responding to charges that he was crazy (Mk. 3:21; Jn. 10:20 cf. Acts 26:22-24), in which case he is saying, “It is God who will be the judge of that.” Second, Paul may be responding to those in Corinth who questioned his ministry because he gave no evidence of “ecstatic experience.” This is the only verse where Paul uses the verb existemi, but the noun form of this word (ekstasis, κστασις) is found in Acts 22:17 (translated “trance”), where Paul described a vision he experienced after his conversion. If this be the meaning, Paul is saying, “If we do experience ecstasy, that is something between us and God.” Whatever the view, however, it is clear that Paul is expressing the fact that God is the one whom he seeks to please! Paul is saying in the second part of the verse that whatever he is, he is for the Corinthians’ sake in the Lord. “Sound mind [sober, KJV; right mind, ESV]” means to be in one’s right mind; think sensibly (Rom. 12:3; Tit. 2:6; 1 Pet. 4:7). If the view be that Paul is responding to charges that he is crazy, then he is saying, “Even if we are crazy (as some allege), that is only the result of our faithfulness to God in preaching a pure Gospel, but if we are in our right mind (as we are), then that is for your sake (who benefit from the sober truth we speak)” (Kruse 121). If the view be that Paul is responding to those in Corinth who questioned his ministry because he gave no evidence of “ecstatic experience,” then Paul is saying, “If we do experience spiritual ecstasy, then that is something between us and God (not something to be displayed before others as proof of the spiritual character of our ministry), but if we are in our right mind (and use reasonable view, it is clear that what Paul does, he does for their benefit in the Lord! Do we conduct our lives in such a way that others may see that our “boast” is not in ourselves, but in God and our service to others in Him? The Love of Christ Simply put, Paul conducts himself the way he does because “the love of Christ compels us” (2 Cor. 5:14a). “Love of Christ” can be taken as Paul’s love for Christ or Christ’s love for Paul, but given the context, Christ’s love for Paul is more likely (cf. 2 Cor. 5:14b-15; 1 Cor. 15:8-10; 1 Tim. 1:12-15). “Compels [constraineth, KJV; controls, NAS]” (from sunecho, συνέχω) means to surround, hem in, encircle; control, rule—“It is the pressure applied not so much to control as to cause action. It is motivational rather than directional force” (Kruse 122). Paul shows that Christ did not live for Himself, “because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:14b-15). Christ’s death was universal (“for all”); He “tasted death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9)! “We judge [having concluded, NAS]” means that the Corinthians (and we) can logically conclude that for Christ to die as a substitute “for all” implies that all accountable people were dead in sin (cf. Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-4). Those who appropriate the benefits of Christ’s death do not live for themselves, but rather they live for Christ who died for them. Paul said elsewhere, “Or do you not know that... you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 cf. Gal. 2:20). Unlike his opponents, Paul does not live for himself, but rather follows the example of Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1), as all of us should (1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6)! Conclusion There are some today who will try to undermine our teaching and influence just as there were in Paul’s day, and these efforts will strike at the very core of our motives. However, as Paul showed in Second Corinthians 5:11-15, our motives can be known not only by our past record of faithfulness and by the fruit that has resulted (cf. 2 Cor. 3:1-2), but also by our current example of faithfulness. Do we fear the Lord? Are we motivated by self-boasting or do we conduct our lives in such a way that others can see our glorying is in the Lord? Are we compelled by the love of Christ to serve Him? Let us not allow opposition to keep us from conducting ourselves in such a way that others will know our motives are pure. Works Cited
Changes in the Board of Directors
Ted Wheeler has been unanimously selected by the board to serve as our new chairman of the board. Ted, a 1984 graduate of the school and board member since 2002, preaches for the Venice church of Christ. Ted lived in Ghana, Africa, for five years as a missionary and conducts campaigns annually. As Gordon stated, younger leadership is needed for the school to continue strong in the Lord (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2). We ask your prayers and support as we continue serving God in training preachers and preparing souls to better serve the Lord.
Fall Semester Begins August 10, 2009 Register on-line, by calling the office, or by selecting classes from this form and mailing it to the office with your name, address, and phone number!
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In Second Corinthians, Paul spends much time defending his apostleship against those who tried to undermine his teaching and influence. Based upon Paul’s statements in this epistle, his opponents apparently accused him of the following: (1)“peddling,” or changing the word of God to make it more attractive (2 Cor. 2:17); (2) being a mere self-promoter without having any “letters of recommendation” from them (2 Cor. 3:1); (3) advancing a hidden agenda of shameful things (2 Cor. 4:2a); (4) “handling the word of God deceitfully” (2 Cor. 4:2b); (5) preaching himself rather than Christ (2 Cor. 4:5); (6) harming, ruining, and cheating the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 7:2); (7) being strong and forceful at a distance but weak and cowardly when in the Corinthians’ presence (2 Cor. 10:1, 10); (8) walking according to the flesh, taking advantage of the Corinthians for his own personal gain (2 Cor. 10:2); (9) not being a true servant of Christ (10:7-8); (10) sinning against the Corinthians by disregarding their hospitality through refusing to accept their financial support (2 Cor. 11:7-8); and (11) being driven by selfish ambition to deceive the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:15-16). Since many of these charges strike at the very core of Paul’s motives, the apostle makes sure the Corinthians are aware of his motives for serving the Lord. In so doing, Paul reveals to us valuable information concerning what drives us. Let us examine ourselves to make sure our motives imitate Paul’s as his imitates the Lord’s (cf. 1 Cor. 11:1).
Gordon Methvin, who has served on the board since 1978 and as chairman since 1992, announced his resignation from the board. He states, “My reason for resigning at this time is my age ... Also, I see the need to have younger leadership ... I have many good memories of those with whom I have served over these years. ... My thanks go to brother Stearsman for his leadership as Director of the school. As brother Kenyon now takes over as Director, my prayers will be with him as he undertakes his new responsibilities. 
The school will always be in my prayers as well as the great work that will continue to take place.” We appreciate Gordon’s service to Christ, His church, and the school. He has been a great Christian example of leadership, uncompromising faith, and a gentle, Christlike spirit.Though we will certainly miss Gordon, we are thankful to have served with him and that he is still able to enjoy life, family, and his relationship with the Lord!