Second
Corinthians may give the greatest insight to Paul’s heart of any of his
letters. He is wounded by the problems in Corinth and the fact that his enemies
have made inroads there (3:1-3; 12:11-13), but he is also hopeful for the
church (1:14, 23-24; 13:10-14), encouraged by their repentance (7:6-9), and
committed to loving and serving them no matter their attitude in return (7:2-4;
12:14-15). Paul suffered greatly for his faith and calling in Christ, yet he
could affirm that though there were many sorrows, he was always rejoicing (6:10).
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. What does that
mean? Two things, at least. First, it indicates that sorrow is a real part of
the Christian experience. Some people have the silly notion that Christians
should never be discouraged or depressed. They should never grieve; they should
never be downcast; they should never be disturbed by the pains of this world.
Instead, Christians should always be peppy, upbeat, and optimistic. The secret
is just to “let go and let God” take care of it all. If you feel sadness or
discouragement, you simply need more faith. That sort of thinking is naïve,
unbiblical, and abusive, and it ought to be biblically reproved and repented of.
Sorrow is real,
especially for the Christian. If anything, believers are better able to
experience the depth of pain and grief due to the brokenness and sinfulness of
this world (Psa. 119:136). It is right and necessary to “weep with those who
weep” (Rom. 12:15), not to deny their suffering matters. We are not more spiritual
for being stoic, nor less spiritual for weeping at a friend’s grave (John 11:35).
Jesus was a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3); those who
follow him should expect to experience the same.
Second, Paul’s
words indicate Christians are able to rejoice even in the midst of sorrow. “Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Php. 4:4) We may not enjoy the
circumstances that cause us pain. Christian joy is not a foolish denial that
evil and pain are real. But no matter what happens: God is still real, Jesus is
still Lord, and what he has performed and promised will stand. We rejoice in the Lord, even when circumstances
preclude our rejoicing in anything else. Moreover, even when things are good we
locate our joy in the grace of God “who richly provides us with everything to
enjoy” (1Tim. 6:17). In good times and in bad, we rejoice in who God is, what
Christ has done, and what he has promised yet to do. Even though we endure tribulation
in this world, in Christ we have joy and peace (John 16:33; cf. Rom. 5:3-5).
Some Christians
seem to walk an easier path, while others seem to abide in the valley of tears.
But both are enabled by grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit to be as those “sorrowful,
yet always rejoicing.” We ought to weep for the brokenness of this world, for
the depravity of humankind, for the horror of human suffering, and for the
eternal death that waits for many. But never allow the evil, sorrow, and pain
of this life to rob you of God’s precious gift of joy in Christ. Embrace
sorrow; do not deny it. But do not abandon yourself to the pain. Even as you
sorrow, always rejoice, because “the sufferings of this present time are not
worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18). -JME
