6:1 Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace
of
God in vain,
6:2 for he says, "At an acceptable time I listened to you, In a day
of salvation I helped you
." Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of
salvation.
6:3 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our
service
may not be blamed,
In Enduring Trials with Godliness
6:4 but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God,
in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in
watchings,
in fastings;
6:6 in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy
Spirit, in sincere love,
6:7 in the word of truth, in the power of God;
by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
6:8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as
deceivers,
and yet true;
6:9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live;
as punished, and not killed;
6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many
rich;
as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
In Ministering Freely from the Heart
6:11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
6:12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your
own
affections.
6:13 Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open
wide.
Instruction: Separation from Unbelievers
6:14 Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship
have
righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with
darkness?
6:15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a
believer
with an unbeliever?
6:16 What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a
temple
of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them,
and
walk
in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people." (Lev
26:12)
6:17 Therefore, "'Come out from among them, And be separate,' says the Lord, 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. (Is
52:11)
6:18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and
daughters,'
says the Lord Almighty." (Hos 1:10)
Discussion Questions
vs 1-10 What does it mean to receive God's grace in vain?
What stumbling blocks might there be in a given ministry hindering
some from coming to true faith in Christ?
How are we communicating our conviction when we present the gospel?
Is there a basis upon which people might question you as to what you
get out of it?
What does your ministry cost you?
vs 11-13 How can you get others to be open with you?
vs 14-18 What do we not have in common with unbelievers?
In what way should we separate from unbelievers?
In what way does God live with us and walk among us?
Under what conditions will God receive us?
Comments
Receive
Grace with Purpose
2Cor 6:1,2As God’s fellow workers we urge you
not
to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my
favor I
heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you,
now
is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
To receive it in vain is to receive it without intending to put it
into
practice, or otherwise to abandon it at some point. Paul wrote to
them
in his first letter saying, "By
this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I
preached to
you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." 1Cor 15:2 And he points to his
own
example saying, "by the grace
of
God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I
labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of
God
which was with me."1Cor
15:10
Today being the day of salvation is a quote from Isaiah 49:8.
Similarly
Isaiah also says, "Seek the
LORD
while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the
wicked
forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the
LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will
freely
pardon."Is 55:6,7
And
he goes on to speak of the effective nature of the Word of God. " As the rain and the snow come
down
from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth
and
making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower
and
bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It
will
not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve
the purpose for which I sent it."
Is 55:10,11
In other words, what God says is not in vain. He means what he says
and
will bring about what he promised. Therefore be confident in what
God
has promised and carry out what God has commanded. "Therefore, my dear brothers,
stand
firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the
work of
the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in
vain."1Cor 15:58
Be
Reputable
2Cor 6:3We put no stumbling block in
anyone’s
path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
For example Paul, though he was entitled to it, intentionally
refused
payment for his services but rather earned money by working at a
secular job so that he may offer the gospel free of charge.
"Don’t we have the right to
take a
believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the
Lord’s
brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work
for a
living?" ... "If others have this right of support from you,
shouldn’t
we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the
contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of
Christ." ... "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself
a
slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." 1Cor 9:5,6,12,19 And "Was it a sin for me to lower
myself
in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free
of
charge?" 2Cor 11:7
And such a lifestyle he instructs others to follow. To the Ephesian
elders he says, "I have not
coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know
that
these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my
companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this
kind
of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord
Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"Acts 20:31-35 Sadly to say
an
example of which few Christian leaders have historically chosen to
follow. "For everyone
looks
out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."Php 2:21, refusing to sacrifice
personal rights and freedoms resulting in many a stumbling block
throughout the history of Christianity. Yes we have freedoms in
Christ, "Be careful, however,
that the
exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the
weak."1Cor 8:9
The
Commendation
of
Trials
2Cor 6:4,5 Rather, as servants of God we
commend
ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships
and
distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work,
sleepless nights and hunger;
There are a number of things which reveal a person's convictions.
If out of free choice one labors intensely without personal benefit,
that communicates conviction. What do you do with your free
time?
Previously Paul said, "To this
very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are
brutally
treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we
are
cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it"1Cor 4:11,12 Would you
characterize
your spiritual leaders as working hard and inspite troubles and
hardship? Paul told the Thessalonians, "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect
those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and
who
admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of
their
work."1Tim 5:12,13
Notice also the phrase "we go
hungry and thirsty", and compare that with your pastor's
waistline. (or your own waisteline) (Or should I say wasteline?)
Indeed
the ministry requires one to exercise self-control over one's body.
Thus Paul writes, "I beat my
body
and make it my slave".1Cor
9:27, of course not to take this too literally mind you.
But in
fact many a Christian or Christian leader is largely a slave to the
passions of their flesh. And this particularly the case in
pleasure-seeking affluent cultures such as in the US presently.
Great endurance implies two things. One is time. "Let us not become weary in doing
good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give
up."Gal 6:9 The other is the
fact
of opposition. Doing ministry properly should make you feel like
you're
swimming against the tide. And this is the case with regards to our
flesh, which is by its nature opposed to the things of the Spirit. "For the sinful nature desires
what is
contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the
sinful
nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not
do
what you want." Gal 5:17
And
opposition
comes
from
society
and
its
culture.
"Do
not conform any longer to the
pattern of this world" Rom
12:2a Yet you will find virtually every Christian
community
today contains inappropriate elements of culture, of which many a
Christian is not aware. Consequently another source of opposition is
the Christian community itself. For example in Galatians 2 and Acts
15
we learn that a cult had developed in the church at Jerusalem which
was
spreading a false gospel, of which Paul greatly opposed. So too
today.
The credentials of a candidate for church leader should primarily
not
consist of educational degrees, but rather of one's experience,
where
conviction is measured not simply by theological papers, but by
one's
endurance in the truth in the face of trials.
The
Commendation
of
Good Character
2Cor 6:6 in purity, understanding, patience and
kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
The ministry is not just about right doctrine, nor about being
zealous
as revealed by one's endurance in the face of opposition. It's about
everything. One's attitude, understanding, the way we treat others
and
our motivation.
Paul advises Timothy, "Don’t
let
anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example
for
the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in
purity." 1Tim 4:12
So "Flee the evil
desires of youth, and
pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who
call
on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2Tim 2:22
Consider for example sincere love. Much as ministry can be viewed
among
the mature as a matter of duty, sincere love goes beyond duty. This
is
not to say that those who enjoy doing the ministry have sincere
love,
but rather those who take genuine interest in the welfare of others
despite the hardship of doing so. Paul writes of Timothy, "I have no one else like him, who
takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out
for
his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." Php 2:20,21 Sincere love is
indeed
a rare quality, even among ministers. Though they may appear sincere
outwardly, most recognize how shallow and self-serving their
interests
often end up being. And this was apparently the case even among
Paul's
team.
The
Commendation
of
the Truth
2Cor 6:7 in truthful speech and in the
power of
God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the
left;
Truthful speech goes along with sincere love. "A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin." Pr 26:28 Paul never flattered
people. He writes, "You know we
never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed"1Th 2:5 And Paul writes, "Speaking the truth in love, we
will
in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."Eph 4:15 Regardless of
"good"
intentions, speaking falsehood is never in love. How many ministers
today who are financially dependent, are willing to follow Paul's
example in saying things which are truth, but unpopular; things
which
are not flattering; things which would threaten their own
pocketbook?
"I urge you, brothers, to watch
out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way
that
are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from
them. For
such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By
smooth
talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive
people."Rom 16:16,17
As for weapons of righteousness, they deal in the realm of ideas. "The weapons we fight with are not
the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to
demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension
that
sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive
every
thought to make it obedient to Christ."2Cor 10:4,5 And what is in our
arsenal, but "the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God."Eph
6:17b, while in the left hand we have prayer, as the quote
in
Ephesians continues. "pray in
the
Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With
this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the
saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be
given me
so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
for
which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it
fearlessly, as I should."Eph 6:18-20
Diverse
Impressions
2Cor 6:8-10 through glory and dishonor, bad
report
and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown;
dying,
and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
poor,
yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing
everything.
Just as Christ was viewed completely differently by his enemies, so
also with ministers of Christ. And likewise with the message, "For we are to God the aroma of
Christ
among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To
the one
we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life."2Cor 2:15,16 Therefore do
not
rely upon public opinion when evaluating such people. Rather
evaluate
them in accordance with the truth.
To be an effective minister of the gospel one much react well to
opposition. But of the many contrasts given here what I find most
interesting is sorrowful yet always rejoicing. For that is not about
circumstances, but about attitude. The Christian can be sorrowful
and
yet rejoicing at the same time, for Christian joy is less about
surface
emotions as it is one's inner hope. Thus it is written of Jesus "who for the joy set before him
endured
the cross" Heb 12:2b
and yet we don't see that joy during that time period as the world
views joy.
Frank
Relationships
2Cor 6:11-13We have spoken freely to you,
Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not
withholding
our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As
a
fair exchange— I speak as to my children— open wide your hearts
also.
In other words they were behaving like teenagers. For it is most
characteristic of that stage of maturity that one is least likely to
reciprocate the love of one's parents. More literally verse 12 says, "You are not restrained by us, but
you
are restrained by your own affections." Interesting that
"restrained" is in the passive voice in the Greek. Beware of your
own
affections. For they may restrict or restrain you from expressing
the
love you should express, as here they should have reciprocated
Paul's
affection for them.
As for those involved in ministry, a significant part of the
ministry
is words. Paul spoke freely, and not only meaning the extensiveness
of
his teaching them, and his frankness, but also the fact that he
didn't
demand they pay him for such service. But good ministry goes beyond
words. Good ministry involves one's affections towards those to whom
we
minister. And reciprocally the minister hopes to invoke like
affections
in one's students.
Avoid
Ungodly
Allegiances
2Cor 6:14,15Do not be yoked together with
unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in
common?
Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is
there
between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common
with an
unbeliever?
"Yoked" is an agricultural term in which two
animals are connected together at the neck by a block of wood so
that
both may be used to pull a plow. In this case Paul may be applying
it
to a number of circumstances, the most obvious of
which is marriage.
Don't make unnecessary allegiances with unbelievers. "A righteous man is cautious in
friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Prov 12:26 So for example,
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools
suffers harm."Prov 13:20
and
"Make no friendship with an
angry
man, And
with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways And set a
snare
for your soul." Prov
22:24,25 And while these might not characterize the
particular allegiance in
question, friendships with unbelievers will be detrimental. And it's
also a waste of time, energy and
resources of which you could be exercising fruifully for the kingdom
of
God.
But obviously this does not mean one avoids any contact with
unbelievers. The issue as to whom we chose to be yoked to. Paul
writes,
"I have written you in my
letter
not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all
meaning
the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and
swindlers,
or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world." 1Cor 5:9,10
However there may be confusion concerning friendship. For in some
cultures, such as in the US, "friendships" are generally so shallow
as
to be merely acquaintances. The Bible is speaking of friendship as
something more than a casual association. But it should be obvious
that
Christians should not date non-Christians, let alone marry them. Why
would they even want to? One wonders whether such people are
Christians
indeed if they chose such allegiances. Follow Jesus example and that
of
his apostles. Spend the majority of your free time with believers.
Be
a
Holy
Temple
2Cor 6:16-18 What agreement is there between
the
temple of God
and idols?
For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will live
with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they
will
be my people." (Lev 26:12)
"Therefore
come
out from them and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." (Is
52:11)
"I will
be a
Father to you, and you will be my sons and
daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (Hos 1:10)
In his first letter he said,
"Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that
God’s
Spirit lives in you?"1Cor 3:16 And he
applies this with regards to sexual immorality saying, "Flee from sexual immorality. All
other
sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually
sins
against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple
of the
Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You
are
not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with
your
body."1Cor 6:18-20 Consequently these
instructions are particularly applicable to dating relationships.
But
there may be a number of other things one may find they must
separate
from as directed by the Word, the Spirit, and one's conscience. But
separation does not mean isolation. For a Christian is never alone.
The
objective is simply to remove those things which hinder our personal
relationship with God.
Recall when Jesus entered the temple in
John 2:14-17In the
temple
courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others
sitting
at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and
drove
all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the
coins
of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who
sold
doves he said, "Get these out
of
here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!" His
disciples
remembered that it is written: "Zeal
for your house will consume me."
And who are his house? "we are
his
house"Heb 3:6b