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Insights into the Life, Ministry, and Challenges of the Apostle Paul
by Samuel E. Ward
2 Corinthians 6
February 20, 2011
Have you ever felt the need to defend yourself for actions you did or words you said? One would think that Paul would never feel such a need, or have to. Yet to these Corinthians he believed he must. The evidence of how deeply concerned Paul was that some in the church might be moved to listen to others who sought to draw their affections from himself and the gospel he preached is clear. Indeed, the first seven chapters representing over half of the letter is dedicated to the defense of his conduct and ministry.
For the sake of context, let us review what has come before in our study:
I. Paul's Defense of His Conduct and Ministry,
The major sections thus far have contained the following:
A. Paul's Introduction,
B. The Best Laid Plans Are Subject to Change,
C. The Best Response to the Issue at Hand,
D. The Bothersome Circumstances that Lead Paul to Macedonia,
E. The Basic Explanation of Paul's Apostolic Ministry,
1. The gospel Paul proclaims offers two distinct spiritual aromas,
2. The gospel Paul proclaims is preached with confidence and competence that comes from God,
3. The gospel Paul proclaims is a privilege to preach and a mercy granted to him by God,
4. The gospel Paul proclaims is given to human vessels as proof it is God's power at work in them and not their own. 2 Cor 4:7-15
5. The gospel Paul proclaims contains encouragement enough to continue in the struggle, 2 Cor 4:16-5:13.
6. The gospel Paul proclaims leaves no room for self-interest or promotion. One lives and ministers to reconcile others to Christ, 2 Cor 5:12-15.
7. The gospel Paul proclaims demands that people be viewed according as to their spiritual status, 2 Cor 5:16-21.
a. Once, even Jesus was considered a false Christ by Paul, 2 Cor 5:16
b. Now, Christians are new creations not old enemies, 2 Cor 5:17.
c. Paul's ministry was one of reconciling others to God even as he was reconciled, 2 Cor 5:18-20a.
d. Our message to you is "Be reconciled to God" and become the righteousness of God, 2 Cor 5:20b-21.
Now let us continue our study by considering Paul's remarks to the Corinthians as contained in chapter six.
8. The gospel Paul proclaims demands that it not be received in vain.
a. The Life Application Bible lists three ways commentators have sought to explain 2 Cor 6:1.
(2 Cor 6:1 NIV) As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
1) It is "an appeal to unbelievers not to ignore God's grace."
2) It is "an exhortation to nominal Christians to mature in their faith."
3) It is a plea for the "Corinthians to take God's grace seriously: to live up to the gospel's demands."
b. The preceding context leads us to the first explanation in view of Paul's plea to the Corinthians to "be reconciled to God." The time for unbelievers to receive God's grace is always "now."
(2 Cor 6:2 NIV) 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.
(Heb 2:1-3 NIV) We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. {2} For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, {3} how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
9. The gospel Paul proclaims must be ministered without regard to personal comfort, but intentionally in the power of the Holy Spirit with pure motives and methods, 2 Cor 6:3-10.
a. God's servants must endure hardships so that the ministry will not be discredited, 2 Cor 6:3-5.
(2 Cor 6:3-5 NIV) We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. {4} Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; {5} in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;
b. God's servants must minister in the right spirit utilizing spiritual resources, 2 Cor 6:6-7.
(2 Cor 6:6-7 NIV) in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; {7} in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
c. God's servants must be willing to accept both the positive results of their ministry as well as the negative reactions, 2 Cor 6:8-10.
(2 Cor 6:8-10 NIV) through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; {9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; {10} sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Paul Rogers of Centerville, Tennessee, has done some calculating of just how far the Apostle Paul walked in his efforts to spread the gospel. According to Acts, he took three missionary journeys. The second of these alone amounted to three thousand miles, two thousand of which would have been on foot. The average daily distance of a traveler of that time was about twenty miles, with a Roman Inn being located every 20 to 25 miles along the road. These inns were unbelievably filthy, immoral, and bug-infested. Paul traveled through snowy mountain passes and spring floods. He walked through areas famous for harboring robbers and criminals. He braved wild beasts which imperiled every traveler. The travel recorded in Acts 16 alone would have covered 740 miles. That of chapter 15 would be 500 miles. And to think he was walking not for his own health, but for the spiritual well-being of others!
A Treasury of Bible Illustrations, compiled by Ted Kyle and John Todd
F. The Basic Expectations of Paul from the Corinthians, 2 Cor 6:11-18.
1. They needed to give back as much affection to Paul as Paul was giving to them, 2 Cor 6:11-13.
(2 Cor 6:11-13 NIV) We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. {12} We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. {13} As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.
2. They needed to be single-minded in their commitment to God, 2 Cor 6:14-17.
a. Do not form partnerships (domestic, religious, civil) with unbelievers where you would be required to conform to worldly practices and or beliefs, 2 Cor 6:14-15.
(2 Cor 6:14-15 NIV) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? {15} What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
b. Do not participate in certain associations with unbelievers and leave them with the impression that God tolerates sin or competition with other systems of belief, 2 Cor 6:16-17.
(2 Cor 6:16-17 NIV) 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." {17} "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
3. They needed to understand that exclusive commitment to God is the only way God will allow us to relate to Him, 2 Cor 6:18.
(2 Cor 6:18 NIV) "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Applications
1. There are some who come close to God's grace but never experience it. The reason is that they do not believe it all. They want to make their own recipe and throw in their own ingredients to produce a faith they can be comfortable with. If you find yourself having to go against some of the teachings of God's Word in order take the rest, then you are in danger of having received the grace of God in vain. To disbelieve any part of God's Word is to be an unbeliever. For in that very thing you do not believe, in that you have made God a liar.
(1 John 2:4 NIV) The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
(James 2:10 NIV) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
2. There are few greater indicators of the sincerity and authenticity of one's ministry for the Lord than to willingly endure abuse and dishonor while ministering faithfully
(2 Cor 6:4-5 NIV) Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; {5} in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; . . .
3. God has called us to be different from the world in our actions, character, beliefs, and affections. Whereas we are called to minister to the world while we are in it, we are not to take on their value systems or lack thereof. It is the difference that makes the difference and convicts the world of their sin and need for Christ. God forbid that we should ever blur the lines of distinction and cause people to believe that Christ and Christianity is something that they are not!
