2 Corinthians 6

Thursday, 3 September 2015

Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 2 Corinthians 6:13

In the previous two verses, Paul has noted that the apostles had opened their hearts wide to the Corinthians and that they had not withheld their affections for them. On the other hand, the Corinthians had withheld theirs. Now Paul notes what would be good “in return for the same.” Some translations say “for a recompense,” but this leans toward implying a repayment. Rather than a repayment, Paul is simply asking for a like-return. The NIV does a good job with the thought using the words, “a fair exchange.” As if in a fair exchange, he says to them “you also be open.”

This is no different than any other social grace which is given out. If someone says to their neighbor “Hi Tom,” all he would expect in return is a “Hi Paul!” And with each different level of openness between friends, one would expect there to be an exchange in kind for a kindness shown. And in the case of Paul and the believers in Corinth, there is an added reason for this which is implied in the words, “I speak as to children.”

Paul was, as it were, a spiritual father to the congregation. In such a relationship, one would expect the children to give their parents the same kindness that the parents had given to them. If not, then the relationship would be unbalanced and would easily become an unsatisfying one.

Paul uses the same father/child metaphor with them in 1 Corinthians 4:14 and he also conveys it to those in Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2:11. He considered the churches he established as his family and those in them as his own dear children. To the Galatians, he speaks in a very similar manner concerning the idea of becoming like him –

“Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you.” Galatians 4:12

Paul was a man of passion for those he shared the gospel with. He cherished them and he desired them to reciprocate with the same feelings of affection.

Life application: One-sided relationships will eventually wear out the one who is always on the giving side. Unfortunately, the giver is often unwilling to ask for a fair exchange of affection in fear of losing the relationship. But Paul shows us that it is right and proper to speak one’s heart in times like this in order to find a happy balance in such matters.

Heavenly Father, help me to be a giving person who is willing to expend myself for the sake of others. And yet, help me not to be duped by those who would take advantage of my attempts to be kind and sharing. It’s often hard to know how far to go with a relationship without giving unnecessary offense. So I would pray for the wisdom to know what is right and appropriate as stressful times come up between me and others. Grant me this wisdom so that You will always be glorified through how I conduct myself. Amen.

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 2 Corinthians 6:12

Paul just exclaimed in the preceding verse that the hearts of the apostles were wide open to those in Corinth. In contrast to this, he says, “You are not restricted by us.” The sense of this is that though their hearts were wide, allowing room enough for loving the entire congregation, there was a restricting of the hearts of the Corinthians which wasn’t allowing for the same affections towards the apostles.

Instead he says, “…but you are restricted by your own affections.” In this, he means that they were the cause of their own closing of heart towards the apostles. It had nothing to do with the apostles at all, but was a chronic problem with their own congregation. Through their own errors and misapplications of what Paul and the others had instructed them, they had gotten off the proper path of doctrine. This caused a conflict to arise between the two parties and had thus caused them to withhold their affections from being as broad as they should be.

For the word “affections,” Paul uses the Greek word splagchnon. In years past, some older translations, such as the KJV, use the unfortunate word “bowels” to translate it. This is a regrettable and actually meaningless way of translating the Greek. Albert Barnes explains the proper rendering of this word –

“The word used here (σπλάγχνα splangchna) commonly means in the Bible the tender affections. The Greek word properly denotes the upper viscera; the heart, the lungs, the liver. It is applied by Greek writers to denote those parts of victims which were eaten during or after the sacrifice – Robinson (Lexicon). Hence, it is applied to the heart, as the seat of the emotions and passions; and especially the gentler emotions, the tender affections, compassion, pity, love, etc. Our word “bowels” is applied usually to the lower viscera, and by no means expresses the idea of the word which is used in Greek.”

It is always good to remember that being captivated by one translation will inevitably lead to bondage of thought. It is far better to put away nonsense teachings that one version is the only one which should be used and to study with diligence what the true intent of the original languages is.

Life application: Often, our hearts will become hard to other Christians because of our own faulty doctrine. When this occurs, it is always wise to evaluate ourselves and what we believe, knowing that we could be in the wrong. Paul shows the Corinthians this so that they will lovingly reach out in order to be corrected and  returned to a state of true fellowship with others.

Lord God, there are many, many divisions within the church which have been caused by sloppy doctrine or by the bondage of sticking to one translation of the Bible which is faulted in its translation. How can we overcome these things? I know that it is by studying to show ourselves approved and correcting our misperceptions of what You are telling us. Help me to always search for the truth in Your word and apply it to proper doctrine so that I can break down the walls of division and divisiveness. Amen.

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 2 Corinthians 6:11

In what is the most personal appeal in his letters, Paul directly and openly calls out to the Corinthians. In only two other letters does he directly name his recipients – Galatians 3:1 and Philippians 4:15. But this address to the Corinthians is most personal in nature. The term “we have spoke openly to you” is literally “our mouth is opened to you.” It is a way of saying that a free and full use of language has been imparted to them, holding nothing back.

It is his way of saying that everything said thus far has been candid and unreserved, culminating in the words of the previous verses which showed everything that the apostles had gone through for the sake of their hearers, which included those in Corinth. From there he said, “our heart is wide open.” More literally, “our heart has been expanded.” The Pulpit Commentary helps to explain this –

“After writing the foregoing majestic appeal, he felt that he had disburdened his heart, and as it were made room in it to receive the Corinthians unreservedly, in spite of all the wrongs which some of them had done him.”

The use of the words “mouth” and “heart” in the same thought is not unique to this verse. It is also used by Jesus in Matthew 12 in a negative sense –

“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34

Also, Paul uses it concerning the process of salvation in Romans 10 –

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9, 10

Life application: Sometimes it is good to clear out our thoughts to others before we can tell them how much they mean to us. Paul tenderly corrected his hearers on points of contention, but he then moved to his words of love and tender affection for them. If we follow this pattern, we can get such difficulties behind us and move on with the freedom of hearts which are no longer burdened.

Heavenly Father, personal conflict is one of the things I really dislike dealing with. And yet, unless I do, my heart remains burdened with the thing that has affected my relationship. Fear of losing a friend then is mixed with the stress of carrying the offense around. Help me to deal with times like this in a way which will keep me from losing the important person in my life and yet freeing me from the heavy weight my heart feels. Be with me in such times for a happy resolution to the trial. Amen.

Monday, 31 August 2015

…as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:10

Paul completes his lengthy list of things the apostles endured for the sake of the gospel with this verse. He begins with the words, “…as sorrowful.” The life of the apostle was one which, by its very nature, included an element of sorrow. They evangelized the lost, many of whom never received the message they proclaimed. For Paul, he carried an especially great sorrow for the lost of his own people, Israel. Concerning their state, he wrote this in Romans 9 –

“I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.” Romans 9:1, 2

Along with sorrow for the lost, they certainly felt sorrow during their afflictions, trials, and imprisonments. The life of an apostle was one of all of these as they were continuously under attack for what they proclaimed. And yet, at the same time they were “always rejoicing.” They possessed something that could never steal their joy; the sure knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ. Salvation had come to the world!

Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always.” He was the perfect example of this. Despite his sorrows in his earthly afflictions, there was a deeper and more perfect joy which those afflictions could never steal away. The 69th Psalm very closely reflects the sentiments which Paul writes about here. In it, David writes of the numerous trials and afflictions which he faced. And yet, in the midst of it he writes of sorrow mixed with joy –

“But I am poor and sorrowful;
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
³⁰ I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:29, 30

Next Paul writes that they were “as poor, yet making many rich.” The word “poor” describes paupers. They were literally destitute of any earthly wealth. Paul worked with his own hands to feed himself. The rich and luxurious life he once knew ended when he called on Christ. He once sat with the ruling council of Jerusalem, but later he often sat in dirty Roman prisons. He gave all for the cause of Christ as he testifies to in Philippians 3:8 –

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

And yet, in their poverty, the apostles made “many rich.” Jesus asked in Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” In other words, all the wealth of the world is mere poverty without salvation. But through Christ, eternal riches await those who will but receive Him. This was what the apostles offered to a sick and dying world. Through their message many have become kings! It is a message which still has the same ability today. And so even though dead, their words are still bringing this eternal wealth to people everywhere.

Finally, Paul closes this thought with “as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” Charles Ellicott explains these words this way –

“The series of paradoxes culminates in this. In language which has found echoes in the thoughts of sages, saints, mystics, he utters the truth that in the absolute surrender of the thought of calling anything its own the soul becomes the heir of the universe. All things are his, as with the certainty of an assured inheritance. The beatitude of the meek, of those who claim nothing, is that they “shall inherit the earth,” and so all things are theirs—the forces of nature, and the changes and chances of life—for all are working together for their good.”

Even with the loss of all of their earthly riches, they had gained the greater, eternal riches of heaven. The verb used in this verse means “possessing all things to the fullest.” Paul confirms this thought in 1 Corinthians 3 –

“Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. ²³ And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

Life application: Should Christians find themselves robbed of everything they possess, they still possess everything. Let us not worry about the temporary, corruptible, earthly things we have. Rather, let us rejoice in our eternal inheritance which Peter writes about for us to revel in –

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5

Glorious God, help me to not get stuck on the things of this world. No matter what I possess, it is temporary and will perish. Help me to fix my eyes on that which is eternal, incorruptible, and undefiled. Grant me the sense to focus on that which will never fade away – my inheritance in heaven – because of the work of Christ Jesus my Lord. Thank You for the sure promise I enjoy in Him. I possess all things to the fullest in Him alone! Amen.

Saturday, 30 August 2015

…as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
2 Corinthians 6:9

Paul’s list of the things the apostles went through for the sake of the gospel is expanded to include “as unknown, and yet well known.” The apostles were ignored as if they were nobody’s. People looked over them as if they were just one of many faces in a crowd, or someone passing by on the street without a nod of the head to say hello. Dignitaries looked down on them and others thought they were troublemakers.

And yet, they were fully known to God. They were selected by Him for His special work of beginning a (so far) 2000-year proclamation by the church of the message of Christ. They were well known by those who had received their words of peace with God and they were treated with respect by them for the important work they were doing. Even if the world at large cared nothing for them, those who truly mattered knew them well.

Next he says “…as dying, and behold we live.” In 2 Corinthians 1:9, Paul noted that “we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” He also noted in his first epistle to them that he “died daily” for the sake of Christ. But despite these types of things, they lived on. He uses the word “behold” for emphasis here. It is as if their dying itself died each day, turning into life by the power of God who sustained them. There is in this a hint of the great victory of Christ over death which allowed them to face death, knowing that it had no true hold over them.

Finally in this verse are the words “…as chastened, and yet not killed.” This is probably not speaking of the chastenings of man (such as scourges and whips), but rather that of God. Paul notes in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that “lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.”

God allowed this chastening influence in his life in order to keep him humble and dependant on the grace of Christ in all things. Such a chastening may have been severe, but it was not enough to take his life. Instead it was there to lead others to life! Such is the manifold wisdom of God. What we often think of as evil may actually have a good purpose in God’s plans.

Life application: Reading and thinking on the story of Joseph will provide a real-life recorded example of what Paul is speaking of in this verse. Take time to read his account, from Genesis 37-50 and compare it to the words of Paul here. You will see exactly what Paul is speaking of. And while doing so, think on the same type of situations you have faced. In doing so, you can be more reassured that your own trials are not unknown to God. Instead, they are fully known and have been, and are being, used for His good purposes.

Heavenly Father, as difficult as many of the trials we face are, not one is unknown to You. What we often perceive of as “evil” is actually being used as a part of Your greater plan. Grant us the wisdom to see that nothing happens apart from Your sovereign will and that You have it all under control. Help us to see the darkened valleys for what they truly are. And we will give You thanks and glory for them from the shining mountain tops! Hallelujah and Amen.