2 Corinthians, Chapter 6
© Copyright 2003 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

Paul urges us to have mutual respect for the calling of Christ and the life of Christians.

Grace is not license. Christians are not free to live as heathens.

If you live in that manner, you have a false Christianity. You are only fooling yourself!

Christians are called to a liberty of worship, not a freedom to sin.

We are not God’s children because we say we are. We are His because He says we are.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

This verse is a direct reference to Isaiah 49:8---Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; (KJV)

Why is today the day of salvation? 

Our salvation is a growing thing. At the moment we acknowledge Christ, we are just as saved as we will ever be.

Salvation does not translate into immediate maturity! Each moment of each day, our Father is adding to our understanding and Spiritual maturity in Christ.

"Knock (and keep on knocking)," we must understand that it describes our actions toward the promises/benefits of God, and His action toward us.

The Holy Spirit is ever knocking on the heart’s door of each unsaved person, and if they open the door, He will come in and make that day the "day of salvation."

2 Corinthians 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

We are to be humble, and meek, but not social cowards!

We are not to act in ways contrary to the gospel.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

We are to follow Christ into a consistency of action and reaction. Christ Jesus was consistent. Paul was consistent.

This consistency was bought about by grounding in "the word of truth," and in "the power of God."

Some have an appearance of godliness, but they deny its power---making godliness a non-factor in their lives.

Paul wore "the armor of righteousness." It was his and is our only defense against Satan.

Paul and his band of ministers received glory at the hands of men and also dishonor. Paul was greeted as a brother and man of God, but those who just pretended to be Christ’s did not accept him.

Least you think that I am building up Paul—yes I am. As an example among men, he is the best.

As a worshipper of Christ Jesus, Paul may be a good example, but he cannot save anybody---he is an example of a consistent attitude.

Are you consistent in your Christian attitude?

As a Christian, you possess all things necessary for salvation and godliness. You may not look like it, but you do!

Are you may utilizing the godly benefits available to you? 

2 Corinthians 6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. 

As Jesus did, Paul spoke and taught openly. His words are mysterious only to the spiritually immature. They are hidden from the unrepentant.

As with Christ, Paul’s heart is open to help all who were sincere in their desire to know Christ Jesus. Are we open to that extent? 

2 Corinthians 6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

Christians do not restrain, hinder, cramp, or compress others. We help liberate others to the point of true worship.

2 Corinthians 6:13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. 

Recompence indicates payment for services rendered.

Paul considered the Corinthians hid children-in-the-Spirit, and told them to repay his kindness by opening their hearts.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Whether is marriage or business, we are not to be "unequally yoked."

Paul makes it clear when he asks, "What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And, what communion has light with darkness?"

Christians and pagans have nothing in common! We were what they are.

2 Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Do Christ and Belial (Satan, the worthless one) live in harmony?

Not quite!

So, what have believers in common with unbelievers? Not much!  

Belial (Gr. Beliar-Beliar) means worthless or wicked one and is a name of Satan.

2 Corinthians 6:16-18
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

What agreement does the temple of God have with idols?

None!

We are the temple of the living God. We should act like it!

God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." He did not say that to unbelievers.

Consequently, we should not live in close association with heathen. Christians are not to Be unevenly yoked with heathen.

Because of what Christ has done, we are ceremonially clean vessels. We are not to be attached to or commingled with the unclean. 

Some members of churches believe that Christians should dialogue with Muslims in an attempt to gain peace in this world.  That notion is foreign to Christianity.  Christ did not come to earth to compromise with sin.  He came to defeat it.  Islam is idolatry!

Those who seek a dialogue with Islam are NOT Christians.  They are Pretenders in the midst of the Church of Jesus Christ!

Our goal is not to convert all Muslims to Christ. Our goal is to simply tell them about the Good News of Christ’s sacrificial death.  After telling them about the gospel, our job is finished! Anything past that is not part of our calling to evangelize the world!

Verse 17b belongs with verse 18.

17b I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

God the Father has promised us that He will treat us in the light of His favor and mercy.

We that have accepted His only begotten Son shall become sons and daughters of the Almighty God.

Do you realize the power and majesty of that promise?

"Ye shall be" is emphatic!

Almighty God says, "I will be your father, and you SHALL be my children!

Chapter 7
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