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Paul continues his discussion of his persecution continuing to insist on a particular way of framing them. Paul and his coworkers may be fragile,[1] but what they contain within them is something very, very valuable, and something that was given to them by God; not their own. The glory of Jesus' resurrection life, on display in their ministry is what gives them the strength to endure all hardships. It's the reason they suffer, so that Jesus empowering and transforming life can be seen in them in how they persevere as a witness to him. It may look like they are dying in the process, but their death brings life to all who come to follow Jesus as a result of their witness in and through suffering. In a way their life is a replica of Jesus pattern of death and resurrection.[2]
Like the psalmist, Paul has to speak about what (who) he has seen: the resurrected Jesus! He speaks because he knows all who are faithful to the resurrected Lord will experience that resurrection life both now and more fully in the age to come so that they all together can experience fellowship with God. Everything that they endure is to show who Jesus is, the dying and rising Messiah who brings new life so that many can participate in that new life, receiving it as a free gift; because that ultimately will lead to an increase in people giving glory to God in thanksgiving as they see all he has done.[3]
So they can persevere through their troubles and hardships. Yes, they are dying in their suffering, it is the suffering of Jesus they experience which leads to new life which gives them strength each and every day. They have new life now, and a fuller experience coming that they will possess for eternity.[4] It's all a matter of how you look at it. Yes their experience in this life is hard and full of suffering, but this life is only a portion of their total experience. They have eternity awaiting them where they will be enjoying the reward[5] of having been good witnesses to Jesus death and life in their life in the age that will pass away. Experience of the resurrection life now gives Paul confidence that he will participate in the resurrection on the last day.
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[1] Matera discusses different possible meanings of the metaphor before settling on a focus on fragility.
[2] Thrall
[3] Matera helpfully emphasizes that dying isn't the goal, it's manifesting Jesus life.
[4] Thrall aptly notes that eternal doesn't necessarily imply wholly future.
[5] Thrall comments that the reward or glory is Christ-likeness
Paul continues his discussion of his persecution continuing to insist on a particular way of framing them. Paul and his coworkers may be fragile,[1] but what they contain within them is something very, very valuable, and something that was given to them by God; not their own. The glory of Jesus' resurrection life, on display in their ministry is what gives them the strength to endure all hardships. It's the reason they suffer, so that Jesus empowering and transforming life can be seen in them in how they persevere as a witness to him. It may look like they are dying in the process, but their death brings life to all who come to follow Jesus as a result of their witness in and through suffering. In a way their life is a replica of Jesus pattern of death and resurrection.[2]
Like the psalmist, Paul has to speak about what (who) he has seen: the resurrected Jesus! He speaks because he knows all who are faithful to the resurrected Lord will experience that resurrection life both now and more fully in the age to come so that they all together can experience fellowship with God. Everything that they endure is to show who Jesus is, the dying and rising Messiah who brings new life so that many can participate in that new life, receiving it as a free gift; because that ultimately will lead to an increase in people giving glory to God in thanksgiving as they see all he has done.[3]
So they can persevere through their troubles and hardships. Yes, they are dying in their suffering, it is the suffering of Jesus they experience which leads to new life which gives them strength each and every day. They have new life now, and a fuller experience coming that they will possess for eternity.[4] It's all a matter of how you look at it. Yes their experience in this life is hard and full of suffering, but this life is only a portion of their total experience. They have eternity awaiting them where they will be enjoying the reward[5] of having been good witnesses to Jesus death and life in their life in the age that will pass away. Experience of the resurrection life now gives Paul confidence that he will participate in the resurrection on the last day.
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[1] Matera discusses different possible meanings of the metaphor before settling on a focus on fragility.
[2] Thrall
[3] Matera helpfully emphasizes that dying isn't the goal, it's manifesting Jesus life.
[4] Thrall aptly notes that eternal doesn't necessarily imply wholly future.
[5] Thrall comments that the reward or glory is Christ-likeness
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