2 Corinthians Lesson 5 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:16 Written about 65 AD

Transcription

1 2 Corinthians Lesson 5 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:16 Written about 65 AD In the last lesson on 2 Corinthians 4:1 through 5:21 (lesson 4), we saw Paul first remind the Corinthians of the faithfulness of his ministry to them to teach the word of God humbly, honestly, and clearly. This was done in the face of severe persecution from without and criticism from within. He reminded them that his purpose and theirs in this world was to live out the life of Jesus in their mortal bodies. He reminded them of the attitude that was needed for such a life. They needed to fix their eyes on the eternal unseen future God has promised rather than the troubles and temptations of this world which are passing away. They needed to live by faith, not by sight. He also reminded them that such a life would be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. He reminded them that the power of the Christian life was Christ s love made real in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and that, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. He also reminded them that they had the ministry of delivering to the world, as Christ s ambassadors, the message of reconciliation that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ. He reminded them that because of our position in Christ, it was not only God s purpose, but within the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, for us to reflect the righteousness of God. With that review, we can begin this week s lesson. 2 Corinthians 6:1 As God s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God s grace in vain. Paul therefor pled with them to live out the life that God had graciously granted them. This was comparable to the third of the Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:7. You shall not bear my name in vain, [a] for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who bears his name in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:2a For he says, In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. Here Paul quoted Isaiah 49:8. To get the entire meaning, we will look at the larger passage This is what the LORD says: In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to 1 / 11

2 restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, Come out, and to those in darkness, Be free! 2 Corinthians 6:2b I tell you, now is the time of God s favor, now is the day of salvation. In other words, now is the time when God stands ready to hear and to help. Paul had referred to Isaiah 49 and said that now was the time for its fulfillment. In that prophecy, Christ, who was the fulfillment of the covenant, was to say to the captives, Come out, and to those in darkness, Be free! As Christ s ambassadors that is also our mission, with His help. 2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Paul returns to the defense of his ministry. He never made an issue of himself: 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. As he had said in that passage: 1 Corinthians 9:22b I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 2 Corinthians 6:4a Rather, as servants of God we commend present ourselves in every way: You may remember from 2 Corinthians 3:1 that the Greek word here, συνίστημι {sün-ē'-stā-mē} means commend in the sense of a presentation or introduction. I prefer the translation present here. It also agrees with the sentiment of 1 Corinthians 9:22. 2 Corinthians 6:4b-5 in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; These describe the physical privations that Paul had personally undergone to present the Gospel. 2 / 11

3 2 Corinthians 6:6-7 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; These describe the Spiritual assets God had given Paul to face life and his ministry. He gives them to every Christian. 2 Corinthians 6:8-9a through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; These describe the most dangerous challenges to any Christian s life and ministry, the esteem of men. It is a rollercoaster ride that has destroyed many Christians. We need to understand that only God s acceptance matters. It can never be taken away, because it is based on our position in Christ. 2 Corinthians 6:9b dying, and yet we live on; This refers to Paul s earlier comment: 2 Corinthians 4:11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 2 Corinthians 6:9c beaten, and yet not killed; This seems to be referring to the episode at Lystra in 48 AD seventeen years earlier when Paul was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19). 3 / 11

4 2 Corinthians 6:10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. These describe the ironies of God s truth. Paul was sorrowful for the lost, yet rejoicing for those who were saved. Outwardly, he was a suppliant, yet actually he was a benefactor. He had nothing of the world s goods, but as a co-heir with Christ, he possessed the universe. 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. I have substituted the New King James Version which is much better. What Paul was saying was that he was living the Christian way of life (a heart open wide) and had explained it fully to them. They have not been restricted from reaching that goal by Paul s teachings but by their own inner preferences (affections). Paul encouraged them as their spiritual father to press on to the same heart that God had given him. What were the affections that were destroying their walk? He described them in the next verses. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. [b] For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? This was a practice, by which the Corinthians, were following their own affections. This hindered the possibility of living with their heart open to God. Two people yoked together, whether in marriage or business are by necessity supposed to be headed in the same direction. 4 / 11

5 They need to be united in purpose and goal. Christians who ignored this truth were in fact declaring that the world was more important to them than God. 2 Corinthians 6:15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? A relationship with an unbeliever that yoked his destiny to a believer s could not work. 2 Corinthians 6:16a What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. The believer is part of the temple of God because he is in Christ, who is the true Temple. 2 Corinthians 6:16b 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. [c] Paul quoted God s promise to Israel. All who are in Christ are now the true Israel and the children of Abraham through faith. God lives in us and among us. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. [d] Thus in the same way as ancient Israel needed to separate themselves, those who are part of the Israel [e] which is Christ s body (the Church) needs to separate themselves. 2 Corinthians 6:18 I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [f] 5 / 11

6 If we have God as a Father, we don t really need unbelievers as partners. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. [g] We need to purify our lives from the influences that contaminate our relationship with and dependence on God. 2 Corinthians 7:2a Receive us. [h] Paul was saying to receive what he was teaching. 2 Corinthians 7:2b We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. This is merely a short summary of what Paul said earlier in 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 defending his teaching. 2 Corinthians 7:3a I do not say this to condemn you; This defense seems to be a response to accusations Paul knew had been made against him, although he was confident that they were not generally believed by the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 7:3b I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 6 / 11

7 This statement had not been made in 1 Corinthians or earlier in 2 Corinthians. It may have been part of the letter mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2 which was not preserved. I have to wonder whether, when Paul wrote this, the phrase live or die with you was just a means of expressing Paul s strong attachment, or if it was indication that Paul thought it was likely that he would be captured and killed in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 7:4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. This was Paul s true opinion of the Corinthians. Like all groups of believers they were not perfect, but he took great pride in what God had done there through him. 2 Corinthians 7:5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn conflicts on the outside, fears within. He gave an example of how news of them had encouraged him. 2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7:7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. He had heard that news in Macedonia when Titus finally found him. 7 / 11

8 2 Corinthians 7:8a Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. This was the letter mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:4, which is lost to us. This letter had evidently taken up the reasons why Paul was not going to travel through Corinth on the way to Macedonia. I have previously speculated that trip had been cancelled because of a complaint made to Paul by one of the Corinthians that his presence would be heedlessly endangering the Christians in Corinth. The letter, then must also have dealt with that complaint by that person. 2 Corinthians 7:8-9 Though I did regret it I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while-- yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. As a result of the complaint, Paul had sent his letter to them by Titus informing them of his original decision not to go through Corinth. They had been hurt by his decision, and what he had said to them. However, what he had said to them helped them encourage him to come to them on the way out of Macedonia. 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. Paul stated a principal that basically says that when error is rebuked by the truth, God s plan advances. In contrast, when error is allowed to rebuke the truth, Satan s lies advance. 8 / 11

9 2 Corinthians 7:11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. Paul points to how his chastising letter had cleared the air. 2 Corinthians 7:12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. Furthermore, Paul had not written the letter to accuse the original wrongdoer, or demand his punishment, but just to make sure that he understood what they were saying. 2 Corinthians 7:13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. He was encouraged to see that the original wrongdoer did not represent the feelings of the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 7:14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. Paul was gratified that all he had told Titus in praise of the Corinthians had been vindicated. This also indicates to us something about the history of Titus. Evidently Titus had not accompanied Paul all the way to Corinth on what is known as his second missionary journey which had carried Paul from Antioch, through Galatia to Troas, and on to Macedonia and Corinth on his earlier trip in 51 to 53 AD. Although we know from Galatians that Titus was clearly part of Paul s entourage at that time, and was familiar to the Galatians, he evidently did not accompany Paul to Corinth at that time. For that reason, I believe that Titus had been left by 9 / 11

10 Paul in Galatia as his representative. 2 Corinthians 7:15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. Titus had developed great affection for the Corinthians during his short visit. 2 Corinthians 7:16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you. A common interpretation of 2 Corinthians depicts of them being in rebellion against Paul. Yet here Paul plainly stated they were innocent and worthy of complete confidence. That common interpretation has to be incorrect, or Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) was guilty of trying to motivate them with flattery. That is not possible!! Flattery is a tool of the Devil, not of God. [a] Literally You shall not (take, bear or carry) my name in vain. All those who are true Israel bear the name of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Jeremiah 14:9b You are among us, O LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us! Also see Numbers 6:22-27, 2 Kings 18:31, Isaiah 43:6b-7 10 / 11

11 They are not to bear the name of the Lord and treat it as nothing but as everything. Isaiah says of those who will be saved, Isaiah 44:5 One will say, I belong to the LORD ; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, The LORD s, and will take the name Israel. Ephesians 3:14-15 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. [b] See Deuteronomy 22:10. [c] Leviticus 9:11-12 [d] Isaiah 52:11 [e] Remember, Israel means Prince of God. [f] Exodus 4:22, 2 Samuel 7:14, 1 Chronicles 17:13, Isaiah 43:6 [g] See Leviticus 11:44 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy [h] I have replaced the NIV Make room for us in your hearts. With the literal translation of the Greek - Χωρήσατε ἡμᾶς which is literally Receive us. 11 / 11