Example: Key Concept study for 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

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From the outline, we can see that qanatov and zwh/ (death and life) form the central antithesis and should be the subject of more investigation. qa/natov for Paul is not simply a natural process, nor is it the heroic act of self-sacrifice. Death remains a terrible force, the final enemy (1 Cor 15:26). Death is not a neutral power, but is the companion and the consequence of sin (Rom 5:12). Paul looks ahead in hope to the end, when death will finally and ultimately be defeated (1 Cor 15:26, 2 Cor 5:4). Until then, the existence of the believer continues to be marked by death. Paul and his companions are ‘the stench of death" (2 Cor 2:16) to those who will not accept the gospel of the cross.

But even though death has not been eliminated, the balance of power has shifted irrevocably. For those in Christ, death has lost its sting (1 Cor 15:55), and the apostles are the "aroma of life" (2 Cor 2:16). They have been baptized into Christ’s death ( o( qanatov, "THE death" in vs. 12). It is that particular death which God is working in their lives, and it is only in connection with this death that new life, true life (zwh/) is possible (Rom 6:3-4). Because of this connection to Jesus’ cross and resurrection, neither death nor life are idealized; they remain connected to the historical event of the cross, and to God’s victory at the resurrection. That means that now both life and death may be experienced as service to God (Rom 14:7-9).

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