What was Paul's motivation for ministry according to 2 Corinthians 4?
Paul’s motivation was not personal gain, wealth, or fame. Having received mercy, he refused to faint and renounced dishonest, crafty, deceitful handling of God’s word. His single purpose was to see lost humanity given the gospel, so he ministered sincerely rather than corrupting the message.
Les explains that in 2 Corinthians 4 Paul is again defending his apostleship because of innuendos and attacks from Judaizers and other forces. In verse 1 Paul says, 'Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.' Les notes Paul was close to fainting, was human, and despaired, but he had to rely on God's strength in weakness. In verse 2 Paul renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully. Les ties this to 2 Corinthians 2:17, where corrupt means adulterating, illustrated by water mixed with wine, as in the Septuagint of Isaiah 2:22. Paul was not in ministry for personal gain, wealth, or fame; his one purpose was to see lost humanity given the gospel.
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.