2 Corinthians, Chapter 6

 

2 Corinthians 6 Paul has just told the Corinthians in 5:20,21 that he begs that they be reconciled to God through Christ; that Christ was made to be sin on their behalf so that they could be made righteous in Him. Now, what does he urge them "not" to do with this information? vs.1 Not to receive the grace of God in vain. When is the acceptable time to be saved? vs. 2 NOW! Paul does not want their ministry to them to be discredited in any way. He tries to live in such a way that he is an example of God's love and care for them. List below the many things they had endured for the sake of the Lord as servants of God on their behalf. vs.4-10 - *I made a list of 27 things - how many do you find? Make a List below: NINE TRIALS: in afflictions in hardships in distresses in beatings in imprisonments in riots in labours in sleeplessness in hunger NINE INNER QUALITIES: in purity in knowledge in patience in kindness in the Holy Spirit in genuine love in the word of truth in the power of God by the weapons of righteousness NINE PAIRS OF PARADOXES: by glory and dishonour by evil report and good report regarded as deceivers and yet true as unknown yet well-known as dying yet behold, we live as punished yet not put to death as sorrowful yet always rejoicing as poor yet making many rich as having nothing yet possessing all things How was Paul able to endure these things and show them genuine love? vs.6,7 In the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left. The final quality in the list is “in the power of God” (see 4:7, “the all-surpassing power is from God”; and Rom 1:16; 15:19; 1 Cor 1:18; 2:4–5; 1 Thess 1:5). Paul does not operate in his own strength but in the power of God, which brings salvation. He explains this more fully in 1 Cor 2:4–5: “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (310). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. What do you think "weapons of righteousness" are? How do you think this compares to Ephesians 6:10-18? Paul has just referred to the power of God, and the righteousness of God is far more potent as a weapon than human moral qualities (see Rom 1:16–17; see Rom 13:12, “armor of light” ). The military image (see also 10:4; Rom 13:12; Eph 6:11–17; 1 Thess 5:8 ) means that Paul does not go out into the world unprotected and dodging Satan’s shafts as best he can. He is armed by God. Why does he say weapons for the left and right? It may be a way of saying that he is fully outfitted or that he has weapons “applicable to every situation.” Interpreters have often noted that in combat, the right hand is used for offense (sword, spear, lance) and the left hand for defense (shield). The GNB paraphrases it, “We have righteousness for our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (310). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Read 2 Corin. 6:10 again. Can we rejoice while we are sorrowful? Can we make others rich when we are poor? How can we possess all things and yet have nothing? Share your thoughts about how these things can be true. Because of his trust in God Paul was always rejoicing (cf. Acts 16:23-25; Phil. 4:4). Being poor and bereft of even basic material necessities (cf. 1 Cor. 4:11), Paul could nonetheless dispense spiritual values, making many rich (cf. Eph. 3:8 ). Though materially he had nothing, yet he was possessing everything by way of spiritual blessings (1 Cor. 3:21-23; Eph. 1:3). Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:570). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. Paul had shared his life and his heart openly with the Corinthian church. He wanted them to open wide to them and receive their message as well. (vs.11-13). What was Paul's earnest plea with them and why was it so important to him that they understand? vs.14-16. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” It literally means “other yoked” and is perhaps best translated “unequally yoked.” In Lev 19:19 (LXX) the adjectival form occurs in the prohibition of mating different species of cattle, which explains the translation choice “mismated” in the RSV. It could be related to the prohibition of entering into “the partnership of marriage with a member of a foreign nation.” But in the context here, the image cannot be limited to marriage (see 1 Cor 7:39) and must include broader associations. 1 Cor 7:39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Barrett paraphrases it well, “You must not get into double harness with unbelievers” (“harness yourselves in an uneven team,” NJB). Paul has in mind an alliance with spiritual opposites, and the image of harnessing oneself to someone who is spiritually incompatible evokes images of spiritual disaster. Those who bear Christ’s yoke (Matt 11:30) cannot share it with others who deny Christ. Those who harness themselves together with unbelievers will soon find themselves plowing Satan’s fields. One can only be a true yokefellow (Phil 4:3) with a fellow Christian. For Paul it is an either/or situation. Fellowship with God excludes all other fellowships—particularly those associated with idolatry. The Corinthian Christians were surrounded by pagan values and practices. Just because they have been sealed by the Spirit does not mean that they can be careless about their relationships and associations with the world. Paul’s clarification in 1 Cor 5:9–10 makes it clear, however, that he is not asking them to shun pagans altogether. He assumes that they will shop in the market (1 Cor 10:25) and encourages them to go to dinner at a pagan’s home if they are invited and disposed to go (1 Cor 10:26). But he does want to form their spiritual identity so that they are distinguished from the pagan society surrounding them and will realign their values accordingly. Christians hold values dear that others reject. They must not allow themselves to be hitched to the same yoke as those whose beliefs are hostile to Christian faith. Therefore, Paul pleads with them to withdraw from these unholy alliances. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (330). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Do you believe this would be only in the case of marriage or can you think of other ways that we are "bound" or "yoked" with unbelievers if we are not careful? The context suggests that Paul directs his admonition to something definite, and several proposals have been made. He could refer to taking grievances before pagan courts (1 Cor 6:1–11), visiting temple prostitutes (1 Cor 6:12–20), entering mixed marriages (1 Cor 7:39) with their dangerous association with idolatry (see Deut 7:3–4; Exod 34:16; Josh 23:6–13)—though Paul is clearly against ending such marriages unnecessarily (1 Cor 7:12–15). The most likely reference, however, is to eating meat offered to idols at pagan temples and in the homes of pagan associates. Paul associates this practice with idolatry even if the Christian eating this food has no intention of bowing down to serve idols. Webb allows that the admonition might cover “a number of cases not explicitly mentioned within the Corinthian correspondence: maintaining membership in a pagan cult, attending ceremonies in pagan temples (related to trade guilds, or to birth, death, and marriage, or the Isthmian games), employment by pagan temples, pagan worship in the home, etc.”  He thinks the most probable options are visiting temple prostitutes and joining in pagan temple feasts. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (330). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publisher. We know this does not mean not to have relationships with the lost in the world; that is how we can share with them by being their friend, listening to them, praying for them, etc. Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-11. What was Paul clear about in these verses? Not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. What is the difference in associating with the unbelievers and being "bound" to the unbelievers? How would you explain it? It is a basic principle of life that opposites cannot fellowship together. The “unequal yoke” takes us back to Moses’ admonition in Lev. 19:19. These Corinthians were yoking themselves with unbelievers in marriage, business life, and other ways, and were losing their testimonies for Christ. After all, if Christians live like the world, how can they witness to the world? There must be separation from sin. This does not mean isolation, retreating from the world; it does mean keeping ourselves from the defilement of the world. It is fine for the ship to be in the water, but when water gets into the ship, look out! Paul cites Lev. 26:11–12 to show that God lives and walks in the believer, so that his relationship to the world affects his fellowship with God. Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1992). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (492). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. God wants to be a father to us and welcome us into His family, but what does He require that we separate from? 2 Corin. 6:17,18 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean." 6:17. Enjoying God’s presence requires personal holiness. Paul cited a portion of Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:41, passages that speak of Israel’s redemption. God’s people are redeemed from pagan bondage (come out from them and be separate) in order to be clean before God (touch no unclean thing) and thus enjoy fellowship with Him (I will receive you). Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:571). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. “Come out from them and be separate” is clarified as referring to immoral Christians and not the immoral of this world (1 Cor 5:9–11). Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (317). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Think through the lesson today. What is your summary notes and your prayer today? Extra Notes ‘Open wide your hearts’(6:3–13) Paul begs the Corinthians to receive his message — and to open their hearts to him. Paul tries to make it easy for them. He doesn’t lie to them, bully them or charge them money. Nor does he want them to be put off by his sufferings — the beatings and imprisonments by magistrates, the hardships of his travels or the criticisms from other people. Everything is explained by the fact that he is living for God in a hostile world. If the Corinthians note Paul’s troubles, they should also notice his character. He is pure, perceptive, patient and kind. The spirit in him is holy, his love is genuine and his words are true. He fights his battles by the power of God, whether attacking (with the right hand) or defending (with the left). Paul’s life is one of ironies and contrasts. The world may despise and shame him, but God honours him and gives him glory. He endures what people say about him, whether it is bad or good, true or false. He is well known, but dismissed as insignificant. He is at death’s door, yet very much alive. He has much grief, but his joy keeps breaking out. He is poor, but his ministry offers lasting treasure. He has nothing, but everything in heaven and on earth belongs to him, because he belongs to Christ. Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide. Includes index. (1st Augsburg books ed.) (598 ). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.