So then death at work in the apostles means that Christ's messengers, including Paul and his fellow laborers, were continually in peril and were worn away in physical strength by privation, hardship, trial, temptation and toil for Christ's sake. They labored with no selfish motive, and in that suffering they were conformed to the death of Christ. At the same time life at work in the hearers means that this dying work brought spiritual life and health to the Corinthians. Though not themselves suffering persecution, they by belief in the truth through Jesus Christ were made partakers of eternal life.
The same exchange reveals the broader principle that suffering and even death among God's workers serves the cause they labor for and brings life to those who receive their work. A worker may lay down the armor through lack of physical strength, yet God's purpose continues. So it was with Christ, whose death seemed to end His work but was in reality the life of the cause He advocated. The verse is precious instruction for each believer to apply personally, calling for reflection on eternal concerns and humility before God, especially for those responsible for teaching the church.
Because ministers thus die to give life, those who receive the benefit must be careful not to increase the burdens of Christ's laborers. They must not add to their trials by neglect. Nor must they do so by disaffection.
So then death at work in the apostles means that Christ's messengers, including Paul and his fellow laborers, were continually in peril and were worn away in physical strength by privation, hardship, trial, temptation and toil for Christ's sake. They labored with no selfish motive, and in that suffering they were conformed to the death of Christ. At the same time life at work in the hearers means that this dying work brought spiritual life and health to the Corinthians. Though not themselves suffering persecution, they by belief in the truth through Jesus Christ were made partakers of eternal life.
The same exchange reveals the broader principle that suffering and even death among God's workers serves the cause they labor for and brings life to those who receive their work. A worker may lay down the armor through lack of physical strength, yet God's purpose continues. So it was with Christ, whose death seemed to end His work but was in reality the life of the cause He advocated. The verse is precious instruction for each believer to apply personally, calling for reflection on eternal concerns and humility before God, especially for those responsible for teaching the church.
Because ministers thus die to give life, those who receive the benefit must be careful not to increase the burdens of Christ's laborers. They must not add to their trials by neglect. Nor must they do so by disaffection.