2Cor024 Cross-Centered Ministry

As Paul expounds on the model of his ministry and its motives, he reaches for the deep roots of its pattern in the cross of Christ. Setting forth Christ's work on the cross as both substitutionary and representative, Paul explains that it is this model of Christ's service to His people that compels him to serve God and the church as he does. But Paul’s theology of the cross not only serves as a model for his own apostolic ministry but serves as the model for all ministry performed by the saints because, as verse 15 teaches, Christ's death on the cross is designed to lead them to no longer live for themselves, but for Christ who died and rose for His church.