Committed Contradictions: Part 2

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:10 NASB

Poor/rich – The first set of antonyms in Paul’s list made us reconsider our emotional well-being.[1] The second set forces us to rethink our life goals. We start with some Greek distinctions.

Paul uses the Greek terms ptochoi and ploutizontes. Ptochoi is a particular kind of poor. This is a word that describes the beggar. It is not the word for the typical poor, the day laborer who survives without credit, without salary, without a bank account, but nevertheless, is part of the working class. No, Paul uses the same word we find in the first Beatitude, ptochoi, the completely destitute, the man in the ditch begging for alms. But Paul uses this term in the same way that his Master used the term. This is a man who knows he is spiritually bankrupt, completely dependent on God’s graciousness. This is a man who cannot afford pride.[2] Paul is not describing a vow of poverty. He is describing the character of humility.

If this is the case, then what does the opposing term mean? Ploutizontes is the present, active, plural participle of ploutizo. That means whatever it is about, it’s happening now for all. When Paul says we are beggars yet we make many rich, he is asserting something that would have been unthinkable in the first century Greco-Roman world. Why? Because in Greek thought, wealth makes people happy and noble. It is honorable to be wealthy since that shows the favor of the gods, the diligence of one’s work and the character of the man. To be poor can only mean that the gods are against you, that you are not worthy of wealth and that you have an ignoble character. Then along comes Paul, asserting that the beggars after God bring filling benefit to others. Beggars bring life to the full? You must be kidding! Paul might think that way, but no self-respecting Greek would. Perhaps we are more Greek than we thought.

Do you wish God would provide you with wealth? Secretly, maybe, since it isn’t socially acceptable to speak about this in religious circles (unless you’re part of the prosperity gospel). Do you think that God’s favor is exhibited in the same way that Zeus operated? If you’re rich, God loves you. If you’re poor, you haven’t tithed enough. Right? Please don’t pretend that this is only about spiritual benefit. Be honest. Do you buy Lotto tickets? I wonder if most of us don’t think that poverty is okay for missionaries (like Paul) but for the rest of us, God will supply an abundant life. But notice Paul’s point. Our humility produces something of inestimable value for others, not us. We are in the business of neighbor benefits. We pray with loud cries and tears so that others might discover God’s devotion to them. Right?

Topical Index: poor, rich, ptochoi, ploutizontes, 2 Corinthians 6:10

[1] See Today’s Word, September 21, 2017

[2] If you want to understand the full impact of ptochoi, read The Lucky Life, available on my web site.