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"By the will of God..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1

AN IMPORTANT CONSCIOUSNESS

This was a strong doctrine that Paul held in his heart and mind. It stood him in good stead for life and ministry.

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth,
with all the saints who are in all Achaia.”
2 Corinthians 1:1

1. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ”

a) Paul was very conscious of his apostleship.

b) What did it mean to him?

i) It was an office from the Lord.

ii) It was a ministry entrusted to him.

iii) He determined that he would faithfully discharge all apostolic duties.

iv) This would include the responsibility of writing these deep apostolic letters.

2. “Timothy our brother”

a) In 1 Corinthians 1:1, Sosthenes was mentioned.

b) In 2 Corinthians 1:1, Timothy was mentioned instead.

c) The people mentioned were probably the couriers of the letters that Paul wrote.

d) These were not “co-authors”.

3. “The will of God”

a) Paul knew that his sinful past would disqualify him for ministry in general, let alone the apostolic ministry.

b) But in the will of God, Paul was appointed “an apostle”.

c) The significance of “the will of God”.

i) It was the prerogative of God to choose whom He willed.

ii) Paul was not chosen for any personal merit on his part.

iii) Thus, there was no way in which he could “glorify himself”.

iv) The will of God is a humbling doctrine to understand and appreciate.

4. “The Church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia”

a) The church is primarily located in God.

b) Secondarily, there is reference to a geographical location.

c) The second letter from Paul reached not just the Corinthians, but also the saints in Achaia.