Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Question:

“What is the ‘ministry’ (διακονία) of 2 Corinthians 4:1? Is it the ministry of the apostle, or that which he ministered? It could hardly be confined to his ministry merely, as he uses the same word, though translated ‘ministration’ in chapter 3:7-8, 9, where it is the thing ministered?”

Answer:

It is the apostle’s ministry, but ministry of and characterized by that of which he speaks. This is a common ambiguity in English. Hope is what passes in my mind (faith, hope), but my hope is laid up in heaven. Thought a good thought, is thought objectively; or, we are of much thought, is the habit of thinking in the man; so of others. In chapter 3 the subject matter ― law or gospel is the ministration, i.e., the thing ministered; but it was ministered by Paul, and therefore his ministry ― a candle was lit up in a lantern; it was itself the light ― the candle’s light; but his light because he carried it. God had shone in his heart, that he might give forth the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. His ministry was this knowledge, still he ministered it, and so it was his ministry.