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Christ stands at the head of a new creation. `If any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature'. The world is reconciled, but the
world is not a new creation. Those who receive the reconciliation become
such, and are a kind of firstfruits of the harvest yet to be. For this the
apostle laboured and suffered; suffered as few ever have suffered. His
`commendation' (margin) is given in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. The great defence
of his apostleship which occupies chapters 11 and 12 was forced upon him by
those who traduced the minister in order to belittle the ministry. The
narrow limits of Judaistic Christianity could not hold the glorious message
which ignored national distinctions and went back to the common father of
all, Adam. Christ is seen also, not merely as David's greater Son, or
Israel's Messiah, but the Son of Abraham in blessing for the Gentiles, and
the Image of God as the Head of the race.
We conclude this brief account of a wondrous passage with the structure
of the epistle as a whole, in order that, if brief, our survey may not be
without some approach to completeness.
2 Corinthians
The epistle as a whole
A
1:1,2.
Introduction. Salutation.
B
a
1:3-11.
Thanksgiving for comfort in affliction.
b
1:12.
The apostle's manner of life.
C
1:13 to 2:13.
Subject of writing. Visit.
Vindication. No rest in spirit.
Macedonia.
B
a
2:14-16.
Thanksgiving for triumph in affliction.
b
2:17 to 7:4. The apostle's ministry.
C
7:5
to 13:10.
Subject of writing. Visit.
Vindication. No rest in flesh.
Macedonia.
A
13:11-14.
Conclusion. Benediction.
Reign. References to the hope that the believer will share in the reign of
Christ, or attain unto a crown, or sit upon a throne, come under the heading
of Prize3, which should be consulted.
If the reader has seen the suggestion that the word `government' should
be substituted for `kingdom', it is hoped that the article entitled Kingdom2
will be consulted, together with those dealing with the Millennium3,9.
Remnant. The Hebrew and Greek words which are translated `remnant' that have
a bearing upon Dispensational Truth, are the Hebrew words shear and
its derivatives, and sarid, and the Greek leipo and its derivatives. These
words are translated `left', and the primary idea is a residue, the portion
left after trial or sifting. The two words shear and sarid differ in that
the former looks at the `remnant' as a company that ensures or pledges
ultimate establishment whereas sarid looks at the same company as one which
has wondrously escaped destruction. The purpose and place of a `remnant' may
be gathered from the way in which it is spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. In
the first chapter, Israel are spoken of as a sinful nation, so corrupt that
no treatment seems of any avail, and in verse 9 the prophet says: