2 Corinthians 6:10

DISCOURSE: 2026
PARADOXICAL EXPERIENCE

2 Corinthians 6:10. As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

THEY who form their opinions on mere outward appearances, will almost invariably err. But in nothing will they be more mistaken, than in their judgment of the Christian state. The experience of one that is converted to God is a perfect paradox: and they who are strangers to it, evince that they yet need to learn the very first principles of true religion.
St. Paul is enumerating a great variety of things whereby he had “approved himself a faithful minister of God:” and after a multitude of other paradoxes, he comes at last to those in the text. Doubtless, they had a more immediate reference to his own state, and, in some points of view, were applicable to him alone: but in other respects, they are equally true of “all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.”
We shall take occasion from these words to shew,

I. How poor the Christian is in himself—

The bitter persecutions, the painful wants, and the continued load of care, under which the Apostle laboured, might well make him sorrowful. But if we drink not of his cup in these respects, there yet are other grounds on which we may be called, like the Laodiceans, “wretched, and miserable, and poor [Note: Revelation 3:17.].”

1. We are destitute of all that is truly desirable—

[The man who wants all the necessaries of life, does not feel himself more destitute than the Christian.
How poor is he that has no righteousness to justify him before God! Yet the Christian has none in himself; he has nothing whereon he can rely, no, not any more than the fallen angels themselves [Note: Isaiah 64:6.].

How poor is he that has no strength whereby to serve God! Yet this is the Christian’s condition. If the thinking of a good thought would save him, he has not of himself a sufficiency to do it [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:5.].

How poor is he who has no wisdom to guide him one step of his way towards heaven! Yet thus destitute is the Christian. If he should in any one instance lean to his own understanding, he would as surely err, as if he should attempt blindfold to explore the most intricate path [Note: Jeremiah 10:23.Proverbs 3:5.].

In short if he had attained the eminence of Paul himself, he still must say, “In me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing [Note: Romans 7:18.].”]

2. We have continual cause of sorrow—

[Numberless are the conflicts which the Christian has to maintain with his indwelling corruptions: and too frequently he receives a wound that fills him with the acutest anguish [Note: Romans 7:23.].

Many are the seasons too when his soul is “in heaviness through manifold temptations [Note: 1 Peter 1:6.]:” and when, through the hidings of God’s face, he “walks in darkness and has no light [Note: Psalms 88:14.].”

Supposing him ever so free from persecution, still he has in these things abundant reason for grief. Well may he on these accounts exclaim, with the Apostle, “O wretched man that I am [Note: Romans 7:24.]!”]

But the Christian’s poverty is rather a subordinate point in the text; we therefore pass on to shew more fully,

II.

How rich he is in Christ—

With respect to this, every Christian is on the same footing with the Apostle himself—

1. He has an inexhaustible fulness of all good—

[Is not he rich, that has reconciliation with God; and that has “all his iniquities cast into the depths of the sea?”

Is not he rich, that has liberty of access to God at all times, and that can obtain, day and night, the manifestations of his presence, and the testimonies of his love?

Is not he rich, who, besides the present aids and consolations of God’s Spirit, has an assured prospect of eternal happiness and glory?

Yet this, and more than this, does the Christian possess in Christ. “All things are his, when he is Christ’s [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:21.].” He is “complete in Christ [Note: Colossians 2:10.];” he is “enriched with unsearchable riches [Note: Ephesians 3:8.];” and “blessed with all spiritual and eternal blessings [Note: Ephesians 1:3.].”

Compare with these things all the wealth of kingdoms; and say, whether it be not lighter than vanity itself.]

2. He has an incessant ground of joy and glorying—

[Let the Christian he in the most afflictive circumstances with respect to the things of time and sense, and yet may he rejoice in Christ,
What an inexpressible comfort must it be to him to contemplate the virtue of his sacrifice—the efficacy of his intercession—the sufficiency of his grace—the extent of his promises—and lastly, his inviolable truth and faithfulness! May not he well adopt the language of the text, “I am sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; having nothing, and yet possessing all things?” Yes; it is his privilege to “rejoice in the Lord alway [Note: Philippians 4:4.];” and that too, “with joy unspeakable and glorified [Note: 1 Peter 1:8.].”]

Infer—
1.

What an exalted character is the true Christian!

[The men of this world are altogether dependent on outward circumstances for their happiness; and, if their cistern fail, they are bereft of all. But the Christian is independent of every thing here below. He may be deprived of health and liberty, of possessions and friends; but nothing can hinder his communion with Christ. Neither men nor devils can intercept the communications of heaven; which, for the most part, are increased, in proportion as other comforts are withdrawn [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:5.].

Let Christians then shew by their contempt of this world, that they are born from above; and prove in the midst of all their tribulations, that they possess indeed the magnanimity imputed to them.]

2. How pitiable is the state of unconverted men!

[If they be poor and afflicted in a temporal view, they have nothing to sustain their drooping spirits. If, on the contrary, they be rich and gay, still their happiness is but empty, transient, delusive. In a little time they will be poor, and miserable beyond conception. In their very best estate therefore they are objects of pity and compassion: they may possess much, but yet are destitute of all things; they may be often rejoicing, but have continued occasion for grief and sorrow.
O that they were wise, and would consider this! O that they would begin to seek an interest in Christ, that through him their state might be reversed, and that they might participate the Christian’s lot!]

3. What a blessed work is that of the ministry!

[The Apostle gloried in this, that “though poor, he made many rich.” And is not this the one intent of our ministry? Is it not that for which we were consecrated to the service of the sanctuary? Has the Christian preacher no better end in view than to display his talents, and obtain applause? Surely, if we have been anointed with an heavenly unction, and ever learned the true nature of our office, our only desire is to “win souls:” and, as that is the scope of our labours, so, when we behold one and another coming to the possession of the true riches, we consider our success as the most glorious of all rewards [Note: 1 Thessalonians 2:19.].

O that every minister might view his office in this light; and every faithful preacher be thus recompensed for his labours!]