2 Corinthians 1:9 Indeed, we have received in ourselves the sentence of death, in order that we might not put confidence in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
Here is one possible reason why God allows us to experience hardship. Paul and his companions had experienced many challenging times. The prepositional phrase “in ourselves” suggests that they had this inner sense, awareness, or feeling that they could lose their lives. Death was an ever presence reality for them. They did not let death hold them back from ministry but pressed on in faithfulness. The sentence was a “judgment” given to them from opposition from people, sickness, or nature.
The significant theological word in this verse is the simple hina that designates the second clause as the reason why Paul and his companions had experienced such difficult times. It was “in order that” they can learn the real source of their strength and endurance. Their confidence comes not from their own effort but the power of God who raises from the dead. Paul testified to the Roman Christians in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And in 8:37, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Paul was confident that if he did lose his life, God would raise him from the dead when Christ comes again. Death was not the final word. This hope gave Paul and his companions confidence to carry on their ministries and witness.
The threat of death is the ultimate test of our faith. Any type of suffering for Christ’s sake will be a test of our faith. Do we have this strong faith?
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