That definer… “in vain” has been in my head the last few weeks. It’s the Greek word, kenon = vain, empty, empty-handed. That’s what Paul says in v1 – don’t receive it empty handed. Doesn’t mean we can EARN it, but we also can’t neglect it.

v2 at an acceptable time, I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.

Paul is quoting Isaiah 49:8 – “I will answer you in a time of favor and I will help you in the day of salvation. I will keep you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to make them possess the desolate inheritance.”

Then Paul says “See, now is the acceptable time… the day of salvation…”

Paul writes this 700 years after Isaiah wrote this promise.

Now – In Jesus – it is “the time” – YAY! So, everything is easy peezy, roses and cupcakes… Right? Nope – The Gospel Work is HARD

v4 As God’s ministers we commend ourselves – sunistemi = “commend, establish, stand near”

What does the servant of God, the minister of salvation by the Gospel “stand near”?

ANYTHING NECESSARY – Look at his list.

…Endurance, affliction, hardship, difficulties – wait… ok… I’ll try… maybe it won’t be too bad

…BEATINGS, imprisonments, riots, labor, sleepless nights, hunger… WOW… uh…

…purity, knowledge, patience, kindness… in the midst of all of that, this might be the hardest part… HOW?

…By the Holy Spirit, “Sincere love… that word for sincere is anypokritos = without hypocrisy. It should go without saying that when hypocrisy enters the story, true agape goes out the door.

…by the Word of truth, by the power (dynamis) of God. Oh Yes, we need God’s dynamite.

…Through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left hand. Oh saint, do not make excuse for righteousness in one hand but selfishness in the other.

…through glory and dishonor… slander and good report… regarded as deceivers, yet true

…unknown yet recognized… dying, yet See, we live… disciplined yet not killed

…grieving, yet always (aei=constantly) Rejoicing

…as poor, yet enriching many – ploutizo=making rich. I may be poor, but I can make others rich.

v10 closes as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Point?

When I receive salvation by Grace through faith… I can’t earn it. It is from God, but I don’t come back to the Lord “empty-handed”.

I’m coming full of the reality of what it means to be a servant for the people who need the gospel.
Take a minute and go read 1 Peter 1:6-8 as a companion

By the Grace of God

By the Power of God

For the Kingdom of God… until Kingdom comes… willing to “Stand Near” Hardship and Heartache, Suffering, Slander, or Suffering

“Standing Near” the Slipping Saint, The Sorrowful Sinner, in the Spirit’s Strength.

We come Sanctified and Surrendered as the Savior’s Servant, never empty-handed or “in vain” receiving and proclaiming the grace of God