2 Corinthians 6: Apostolic Hardships & calls to respond

• v.1,2 Now if the time of God’s favor
• v.3-13 The Hardships of the Apostles
• v.14-18 Be Distinct from Unbelievers

[Chapter Synopsis: The outworking of all that has gone before is that, in the light of the things that they have had to say about the church, they don’t want the church to disqualify themselves by those things. Paul moves into a very personal mode to reassure them that all they have said or done has been for their benefit so they may receive the fulness of their salvation. Indeed, the apostles work to ensure they put nothing in their way to hinder them in that. They have put up with all the tough stuff of travelling and often being rejected if not actually persecuted, but God has seen them through. As an outworking of the gospel, he calls them to ensure they remain distinct from unbelievers.]   

v.1,2 Now if the time of God’s favor

[Passage Synopsis: All of this should challenge us not to drift away from what we have received already for He looks with favor on us, wanting us to receive the fulness of His salvation.]

v.1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

v.2 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.

[Note: As workers with God we urge you not to waste what you’ve already received for now is the time of God’s favor, the day to receive the fulness of the salvation He offers us [Isa 49:8]. 

v.3-13 The Hardships of the Apostles

[Passage Synopsis: As apostles of Christ, they seek to say or do nothing that will hinder the gospel. They put up with everything, both good and bad – and there’s lots of both – speaking openly and honestly and maintaining their love for the church, and hope the church can feel the same about them.]

v.3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

v.4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

v.5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

v.6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

v.7  in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

v.8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;

v.9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;

v.10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

v.11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

v.12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

v.13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

[Note: We try not to put any obstacle in your way so nothing hinders you receiving this salvation, rather we try to give you reasons for having confidence in us, knowing what we’ve gone through for you, knowing the pain we’ve suffered for it but seeking to remain Christlike throughout, ensuring we speak truthfully with God’s power and righteousness, through good and bad times, holding our integrity despite what others say about us, under threat and yet surviving, sad and happy, rich with nothing, and yet in him with everything, we have poured our hearts out to you and we aren’t holding back our warmth for you. So please think and act similarly towards us.]

v.14-18 Be Distinct from Unbelievers

[Passage Synopsis: Everything they’ve been saying might be summed up in the call to be the distinct holy people of God.]

v.14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

v.15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

v.16 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.”

v.17 Therefore, “Come out from them  and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

v.18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

[Note: They ask them to remain separate from unbelievers for there cannot be harmony between the kingdom of God and the dominion of darkness. As the temple of God, they cannot be united with idol worshippers [Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27]. So God calls them to be distinct [Isa 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41], so they can truly be part of the family of God [2 Sam 7:14; 7:8].

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: