How would you describe the ministry of the apostles? 

Some might say “Noble”, when they think of the apostles’ dedication and sacrifices for God’s flock. Some might say “Precious”, because they did the work of saving souls. Some might even say “Profound”, because their work impacts people throughout the world and throughout generations.   

What about Paul – as an apostle himself, how did Paul describe his own ministry, as well as the ministry of his fellow apostles?

If you look at Paul’s extensive descriptions in verses 9 to 13, they do not sound nice: 

“Last of all”, “Men sentenced to death”, “Spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men” (v9).

“Fools for Christ’s sake”, “Weak”, “In disrepute” (v10).

“We hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless” (v11). 

“Reviled”, “Persecuted”, “Slandered”, “Scum of the world”, “Refuse of all things” (v12-13).  

Even though the ministry of the apostles was indeed a noble God-appointed ministry, it was also undeniably excruciating and challenging. No wonder Paul said earlier: “It is required of stewards (of God) that they be found faithful.” (v2)    

In the service of God, a faithful steward endures all persecutions, including rejections by men. They bless those who revile them, entreat those who slander them (v12-13). They will gladly spend and be spent for the souls of others who may hate them even more for their efforts (2 Cor 12:15).  

And why – what motivates these stewards to endure all these and persevere in their ministry?       

Undeniably, it is their genuine love for God and His flock – as seen in these words of Paul:   

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them (the other apostles), though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10) 

“I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 4:14-15)

Even way before Paul was called, Jesus Himself made it clear to Peter, three times: “If you love Me, care for My sheep” (Jn 21:15-17). If we truly love Jesus, we will be compelled to love the souls He died to save, knowing how much Jesus loves them and wants to save them to the uttermost.         

Today, although we are not apostles, we are servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries (1 Cor 4:1), as members of the True Jesus Church who are entrusted with the complete gospel of salvation. 

Hence, let us reflect on our own faithfulness as God’s stewards. Does our faithfulness match up to Paul’s, insofar as we can endure the sufferings listed by Paul in verses 9 to 13 while continuing to love the souls that reject us? If not, how can we cultivate ourselves to be more faithful towards God, in our everyday lives? 

When we faithfully endure hardships as God’s stewards, God promises: 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Therefore, Paul boasted even more gladly of his weaknesses, because he had this hope: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:9-10) 

As fellow stewards of God, let us also cling to this hope and press on together! ⛽