2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-7:1

Reading:

Songs:

Theme:

INTRODUCTION

A. In chapter six of 2 Corinthians, Paul’s exhortation to those saints to whom he wrote, to be reconciled to God. This passage cannot be separated from the thoughts at the end of the preceding chapter. In chapter five (2Co 5:18-21) Paul affirmed that he was an "ambassador" of Christ, and unto him the Lord had committed the ministry of reconciliation. In chapter he used his conduct as an ambassador of God to vindicate his claims of genuineness and honesty among the saints at Corinth.

B. Let’s consider what Paul wrote in regard to ourselves and the gospel. Paul wrote of:

I. THE CONDUCT OF A CHRISTIAN (6:1-10).

A. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you ... (6:1-3).

1 ¶ We <3870> <0> then <1161>, as workers together <4903> (5723) with him, beseech <3870> (5719) you also <2532> that ye <5209> receive <1209> (5664) not <3361> the grace <5485> of God <2316> in <1519> vain <2756>.

1. Paul called on Christians (2Co 1:8) to hear his word of warning regarding “the grace of God” in order that they didn’t receive it in vain.

a. This thought of "workers together" in this passage is directly linked to "ambassadors" in the previous passage (2Co 5:20), in which the apostle referred to himself as a special emissaries of the Lord sent to the Corinthian saints beseeching them to be reconciled to God.”

b. Paul was appealing to them not to allow themselves to be led astray from the gospel by the false teachers at Corinth.

(1) Paul warned them not to allow themselves to become guilty of having received the salvation only then to lose out on it.

(2) Elsewhere he warned the saints at Galatia not to turn "unto another gospel" (Gal 1:6-9).

(3) Through the written word of God, Paul still comes to Christians as a spiritual emissary of the Lord, as an ambassador, beseeching us not to “receive the grace of God in vain.”

(4) Clearly, if we are not careful, we can loose our hope in Christ.

c. There are many ways in which Christians can make void the grace of God.

2 (For <1063> he saith <3004> (5719), I have heard <1873> (5656) thee <4675> in a time <2540> accepted <1184>, and <2532> in <1722> the day <2250> of salvation <4991> have I succoured <997> (5656) thee <4671>: behold <2400> (5628), now <3568> is the accepted <2144> time <2540>; behold <2400> (5628), now <3568> is the day <2250> of salvation <4991>.)

2. Quoting Isaiah ( Isa. 49:8; Act 13:47) concerning that "day of salvation" and God’s willingness to save, Paul said "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

a. Paul was informing the saints of Corinth that they were living in the time period of salvation and that it was urgent that they hold on to it while it was available (cf. Heb 3:7-8, 13).

b. The Phillipian jailer obeyed the gospel the same hour in which he understood the urgent need for him to obey God.

(1) Many people never come to the understanding of the urgency to obey God:

(a) The rich fool (Luk 12:16-20).

(b) Felix (Act 24:25).

c. Now is the time to stop the way of unrighteousness in our lives (consider Rom 6:23a; Jam 4:14, 17).

d. If you're frustrated with your spiritual failures, if you're disgusted with your sins, if you’re tired of falling short of God’s purpose for your life, today is the day to do something about it (Joh 8:31-32).

3 Giving <1325> (5723) no <3367> offence <4349> in <1722> any thing <3367>, that <3363> <0> the ministry <1248> be <3469> <0> not <3363> blamed <3469> (5686):

3. In speaking of "Giving no offence in any thing” (continuous action), Paul was pointing out that at all times we’re to be diligent to live in such a way as not to cause by our example something over which others might stumble in seeking God.

4. We all need to take care in our roles as men, women, husbands, wives, parents, children, friends, evangelists, deacons and elders, to never bring reproach, ridicule, or disgrace upon the church.

B. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God ... (6:4-10).

4 But <235> in <1722> all <3956> things approving <4921> (5723) ourselves <1438> as <5613> the ministers <1249> of God <2316>, in <1722> much <4183> patience <5281>, in <1722> afflictions <2347>, in <1722> necessities <318>, in <1722> distresses <4730>, {approving: Gr. commending}

5 In <1722> stripes <4127>, in <1722> imprisonments <5438>, in <1722> tumults <181>, in <1722> labours <2873>, in <1722> watchings <70>, in <1722> fastings <3521>; {in tumults: or, in tossings to and fro}

1. Paul sought in all things to present himself approved, rather than give opportunity for the ministry to be blamed.

a. He didn’t even allow the difficulties of life to control him and dictate to him his attitude in life (cp. 2Co 11:23-25).

6 By <1722> pureness <54>, by <1722> knowledge <1108>, by <1722> longsuffering <3115>, by <1722> kindness <5544>, by <1722> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>, by <1722> love <26> unfeigned <505>,

7 By <1722> the word <3056> of truth <225>, by <1722> the power <1411> of God <2316>, by <1223> the armour <3696> of righteousness <1343> on the right hand <1188> and <2532> on the left <710>,

8 By <1223> honour <1391> and <2532> dishonour <819>, by <1223> evil report <1426> and <2532> good report <2162>: as <5613> deceivers <4108>, and <2532> yet true <227>;

b. He kept his life upright to avoid an improper assessment of it by other people.

9 As <5613> unknown <50> (5746), and <2532> yet well known <1921> (5746); as <5613> dying <599> (5723), and <2532>, behold <2400> (5628), we live <2198> (5719); as <5613> chastened <3811> (5746), and <2532> not <3361> killed <2289> (5746);

10 As <5613> sorrowful <3076> (5746), yet <1161> alway <104> rejoicing <5463> (5723); as <5613> poor <4434>, yet <1161> making <4148> <0> many <4183> rich <4148> (5723); as <5613> having <2192> (5723) nothing <3367>, and <2532> yet possessing <2722> (5723) all things <3956>.

2. Using opposites Paul pointed out that even in what he seemed to lack he persevered for the sake of the gospel, the glory of God and the saving of souls.

Transition: Whenever we seek our own way over God’s way for us, we do so to our loss and that of others who follow our example.

II. THE RELATIONSHIPS OF CHRISTIANS (6:11-13).

A. ... our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged ... be ye also enlarged ... (6:11).

11 ¶ O ye Corinthians <2881>, our <2257> mouth <4750> is open <455> (5754) unto <4314> you <5209>, our <2257> heart <2588> is enlarged <4115> (5769).

1. With complete openness Paul affectionately made his appeal to them.

B. ... Ye are not straitened in us ... Now for a recompence in the same ... be ye also enlarged ... (6:12-13).

12 Ye are <4729> <0> not <3756> straitened <4729> (5743) in <1722> us <2254>, but <1161> ye are straitened <4729> (5743) in <1722> your own <5216> bowels <4698>.

13 Now <1161> for a recompence <489> in the same <846>, (I speak <3004> (5719) as <5613> unto my children <5043>,) be <4115> <0> ye <5210> also <2532> enlarged <4115> (5682).

1. straitened, Strong’s - 4729. stenocwrew STENOCHOREO sten-okh-o-reh’-o; from the same as 4730; to hem in closely, i.e. (figuratively) cramp:— distress, straiten

AV-straiten 2, distress 1; 3 1) to be in a narrow place 2) to straiten, compress, cramp, reduce to straits 2a) to be sorely straitened in spirit

5743 Tense-PresentSee 5774

Voice-Passive See 5786

Mood - IndicativeSee 5791

Count-271

a. Paul pointed out to them that their was plenty of room in his heart for them but that their hearts were cramped in their affection toward him.

b. The lack was with the saints.

c. In essence he was saying, “The ball is in your court. What are you going to do?”

2. Paul called on them to reciprocate the same feelings for him in return that he had for them.

Transition: Knowing the relationship we are to have with one another, Paul called for Christians to avoid forming them with the worldly minded.

III. THE SEPARATION OF A CHRISTIAN (6:14-18).

Mark Of The Called

A. ... ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ... (6:14-16).

14 Be ye <1096> (5737) not <3361> unequally yoked together <2086> (5723) with unbelievers <571>:...

1. Paul called on Christians not to yoke themselves in any situation wherein they would be forced to compromise their convictions and would by that be deterred from duty to God.

a. Therefore, situations which would compromise the convictions of a child of God must be avoided.

b. Paul was setting forth a general principle of Christian conduct, separation from undue influence..

c. Paul did not say "be ye not yoked together with unbelievers." He did say "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."

(1) What he wrote was that Christians not be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”

(2) It is an important distinction to make.

2. The principle is applicable to all home, business, and social relationships.

a. A Christian and a non-Christian who are in a relationship together would be "unequally yoked" if the non-Christian brought into the relationship anything that would tie the Christian to what is not authorized not by the scriptures (Col 3:17).

b. Regarding the marriage relationship, “ When a man and a woman who are not Christians want to become husband and wife, and they are qualified in God's sight to be married, they can become such in God's sight by the same law that unites two Christians in marriage. The same would be true regarding Christians marrying non-Christians (1 Cor. 7:12-14).” ^[1]

c. As long as a Christian can live with a non-Christian spouse and not be forced by the relationship to engage in what is not authorized by the scriptures, in the marriage the two are not “unequally yoked together.” ^[1]

d. At the same time, the best possible situation for marriage is for a faithful Christian to marry another faithful Christian.

e. The prohibition Paul was making was against sinful companionship, occupations, places and practices.

14 ... for <1063> what <5101> fellowship <3352> hath righteousness <1343> with <2532> unrighteousness <458>? and <1161> what <5101> communion <2842> hath light <5457> with <4314> darkness <4655>?

15 And <1161> what <5101> concord <4857> hath Christ <5547> with <4314> Belial <955>? or <2228> what <5101> part <3310> hath he that believeth <4103> with <3326> an infidel <571>?

16 And <1161> what <5101> agreement <4783> hath the temple <3485> of God <2316> with <3326> idols <1497>? for <1063> ye <5210> are <2075> (5748) the temple <3485> of the living <2198> (5723) God <2316>; as <2531> God <2316> hath said <2036> (5627), <3754> I will dwell <1774> (5692) in <1722> them <846>, and <2532> walk in <1704> (5692) them; and <2532> I will be <2071> (5704) their <846> God <2316>, and <2532> they <846> shall be <2071> (5704) my <3427> people <2992>.

f. Stressing the point, Paul then asked a five questions, each of which should have caused his readers to realize God doesn’t what his children yoked in improper relationships and if so, he will be their God and they his children.

g. There proper relationship is with him.

(1) Paul alluded to three Old Testament passages in showing that the church is God’s people (cf. Exo. 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27).

(2) Just as God promised to dwell in and walk in Old Testament Israel, so He dwells in and walks in New Testament Israel (cf. Gal. 6:16).

(3) We should notice that Paul used the plural pronoun, "your," the antecedent of which is the singular noun "body."

(a) The only correct usage of a singular noun as the antecedent of a plural pronoun is that of a collective noun.

(b) Thus, the body here refers to the church and not the individual, physical bodies of those who make up the church.

B. ... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate ... (6:17-7:1).

17 Wherefore <1352> come out <1831> (5628) from <1537> among <3319> them <846>, and <2532> be ye separate <873> (5682), saith <3004> (5719) the Lord <2962>, and <2532> touch <680> (5732) not <3361> the unclean <169> thing; and <2504> I will receive <1523> (5695) you <5209>,

1. Consequent to what he already written, Paul exhorted them to “come out” and to “be ... separate” (Isa. 52:11).

2. In other words Christians are called to be distinctive from the rest of the people of the world (1Jo 2:15-17).

18 And <2532> will be <2071> (5704) <1519> a Father <3962> unto you <5213>, and <2532> ye <5210> shall be <2071> (5704) my <3427> sons <5207> <1519> and <2532> daughters <2364>, saith <3004> (5719) the Lord <2962> Almighty <3841>.

3. Contingent to obedience God makes a promise to Christians, that he will be as a Father to the faithful and they will be children to him.

1 ¶ Having <2192> (5723) therefore <3767> these <5025> promises <1860>, dearly beloved <27>, let us cleanse <2511> (5661) ourselves <1438> from <575> all <3956> filthiness <3436> of the flesh <4561> and <2532> spirit <4151>,