Note 9 at 2 Cor. 4:5: What a simple but profound truth. If some ministers today were to delete all the promotion of self, there wouldn't be much left. Paul didn't magnify himself but the office he stood in (Rom. 11:13). His focus was on the preaching of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (see note 1 at 1 Cor. 1:18, p. 862).

Note 10 at 2 Cor. 4:5: Just as the ministry of John the baptist was not to point people unto himself but unto "the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world" (Jn. 1:29-30), so now Paul is describing his ministry as one that presents, and focuses upon, Jesus Christ as Lord (see note 3 at Lk. 1:43, p. 44).

The Lordship of Jesus is one of the central themes of scripture. It is clear that many times the word "Lord," when referring to Jesus, is equivalent to the divine name "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" (Isa. 40:3 cp. Mk. 1:1-3; Ps. 24:7-9 cp. 1 Cor. 2:8, Jas. 2:1; Prov. 16:4 cp. Col. 1:16; Joel 2:32 cp. Rom. 10:13; Num. 21:6-7 cp. 1 Cor. 10:9). To acknowledge Jesus as Lord is to acknowledge His deity (Jn. 20:28).

The meaning of Jesus having Lordship in our lives is recognizing His right to rule in our lives, by right of creation (Jn. 1:3) and by right of redemption. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:20).

The Lordship of Jesus should be the determining factor in every action of a Christian (Rom. 14:7-10). Every thought and action should pass the test of "Is this what my Lord Jesus wants me to do or think?" If there is not a definite "yes," then it shouldn't be done. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23).

Note 11 at 2 Cor. 4:5: Paul and his companions were servants of the body of Christ. That is, he served others by ministering the gospel to them and establishing them in God's Word. All of this service finds its roots in the truth that Jesus was Lord of Paul's life (see note 10 at this verse). It was for Jesus' sake that Paul continued to minister and serve others.