Commending Christ Through a Cruciform Life

As Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church unfolds, we’ll learn that they had joyfully received Titus and repented of their rebellion against Paul, centered around one man who the church had since disciplined (2:5-11, 7:5-16). But trouble still lingers. Their continued alliance with a group of false teachers is still a very real threat to their faith. So Paul continues his impassioned plea that they be reconciled to God (and to him as a servant of God). He says, “we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (6:1). The stakes are really that high. To turn against the apostle of Christ is to turn against Christ and to abandon the faith. Paul again commends his own life and ministry, full of suffering, godly virtues, and the power of God to point the Corinthians to him who died and was raised. A cruciform life commends and embodies a crucified savior.