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Sufficient (2 Corinthians 3:1-18)

Scott Kercheville
08/10/14 - Sun AM

How can we know, as weak, simple people, that we are sufficient to play a part in spreading God’s gospel? As Paul defends his service to the gospel filled with weaknesses, rejections, and sufferings before the doubting Corinthian congregation, Paul has just finished chapter 2 with an important question. Who is sufficient? Last time we noticed how God desires us to use our every opportunity to speak to people about the gospel no matter how much we are afflicted for it. Our lives and speech cause people to make a decision about whether they will follow Christ. Who is sufficient for this task? But Paul treats this as a rhetorical question because all who speak with sincerity are sufficient. This causes Paul to ask an important question in the beginning of chapter 3. Is Paul commending himself and boasting before the Corinthians about himself and his sufficiency? What follows in verses 1-18 is Paul’s reasoning for why he is sufficient without boasting of himself. As Paul talks about this we learn that though we are frightened and humbled by our task, there are specific reasons we can be aware of to know how we are sufficient to proclaim the gospel. Join with me in noticing why we do not need to boast great abilities to teach the gospel effectively.