2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 6

[Kevin Young]

Thank you viewing this thread. This week we will be looking at 2 Corinthians chapter 6. After you read the chapter, please post your thoughts, questions, and insights here in this thread. God bless you all.

[sassy1506]

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

Oh how much trouble I have with this one. I have this horrible temper. It doesn't take a lot to set me off, and when I get set off, I don't act very christian. In other words, I'm a crappy example and have probably made a lot of people stumble.

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.

This is confusing, but I somehow understand it. Maybe it's the weird way my mind works. We're dying in this world, but we live on in heaven; we're being beat down in this world, but they can't kill us; This world is so insanely depressing, but we know that when we get through it, we get to rejoice with the Lord; There's nothing for us here, but there's so much in heaven. I guess. That's how my mind put it together.

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.”

I love this one. Just for it's immense awesomeness.

I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.

This one's awesome, too. But it also sorta weirds me out. 'Cause then I'm spiritually siblings with my parents. It hurts my brain.

[stacfo]

Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—

There is never a "wrong" time to share Christ....

giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God,

I really have to keep myself in check. My mouth runs away some times I think at all times we need to be congnisant of how we look to others, as not to become a stumbling block. This scares me to death; to think I would turn someone away from Christ.

14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

I try so hard to express this to our youth Odds are, an unbeliever is not going to believe just because you do. It is such a dangerous choice to make, which I think is why Paul brings this back up. It is only a reiteration of what God told the Israelites so long ago when they entered the Promised Land. And look how quickly they got sucked back into the world. Even after having witnessed all God had done.

17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.

The reality is, we cannot live in both worlds and claim to be a child of God. You can't watch an R rated movie, and wash that out of your brain on Sunday. You can't try to quietly tuck your faith away at that concert full of the f-bomb and not be affected. You can't bash your ex-friend on facebook and think others don't see. I could go on and on, but the reality is, the dividing line is there, and we are to be different. We should be as holy as possible at all times. Not just when we think the church folks are looking.

18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

This is what sustains me.

[Ric]

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

This is about as serious as it gets, here. In our physical world, what Jesus did for us can compare to a total stranger pushing you out of the way only to be killed by the oncoming train, or a soldier throwing himself on a grenade, giving his own life so that his comrades can fight on. Stuff like that NEVER LEAVES the ones saved by such heroic actions.

With that in mind, how on earth can we make light of what Jesus has done for us? How could we just walk away and say "Thanks, but no thanks" ??? Sadly, lots of people do, and a lot of those who claim to be saved just use God as a crutch for when they screw their lives up royally. Such "salvation" is all in vain, if you ask me.

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

This ain't something to piddlefart around with. You may not have tomorrow, so pick your side today. We should be overjoyed that God, in His power and extreme might, has shown US favor!

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.

Sam, you're right. At the same time, the apostles WERE beaten. John was the only one who didn't die at the hands of the enemies of Jesus, and it wasn't for lack of effort. He was boiled in oil(which boils at no less than 480*F, If I recall rightly), which possibly melted his skin right off. He survived, thanks to the power of Jesus. However, he was considered a witch by his captors and they then poked his eyes out with a red-hot poker and banished him to Patmos, where he died of old age. My logical take on them being poor and having nothing is that they lived on the run because of their faith in Jesus, so not only did they not have much, they couldn't carry much if they were to keep ahead of their pursuers. However, what they gave up for the cause of Christ has since been immeasurably increased upon them in Heaven. I'd imagine they had to leave family and friends behind, possibly to protect them from persecution as well... that had be a HUGE pill to swallow.

My point? Committing to Christ won't make your life magically make sense, or wash all your cares away. One of Jesus' promises was "In the world you will have troubles." The apostles were "Exhibit A". But Jesus also said "But take heart, for I have overcome the world!" So no matter what happens to you in this life, stick with Jesus. It gets WAY better when you leave this world like that.

17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”[d]

The notes in my study Bible point to Revelation 18:4, which paints a rather grim picture for those straddling the fence:

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“Come out of her, my people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.
6 Give back to her as she has given;
pay her back double for what she has done.
Mix her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torture and grief
as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts,
‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow,
and I will never mourn.’
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:
death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

I wouldn't wanna be of the world on that day.

I think they should've ended the chapter with the first verse of Chapter 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.

[timmyc]

Greetings, the apostle Paul obviously needed to say something to the Corinthians. He first starts out with our working together with Him(verse 1), and then reminds us/them of there salvation and that it is now(verse 2). Paul's then describes his work as ministry(blamelessly)(verse 3). This is very important how Paul explains the conditions of working in his ministering(verses 4-10). Paul goes on to explain to them with openness that he or the gospel wasn't a hindrance to there effectiveness as believers. I get that when I relate to others the best way is just be open and honest(verse 11-13). Paul then delivers the resolution to them. They were unequally yoked, there affections were that of the unbelievers(verses 14-16). Then I get form the Word Gods relation to me, to separate and begin a process of living like Him, for Him, so we can see Him face to face and forever be the sons and daughters of God, says the Lord God Almighty(verses 17-18). God Bless.