2 Corinthians 6

Friday, 29 August 2015

…by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 2 Corinthians 6:8

This again continues with the list of how the apostles were perceived by those around them and how they responded to those perceptions. They pressed forward though in order that they would “give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed (v.3).”

The first item in this verse is “by honor and by dishonor.” This is referring to how he and the other apostles were perceived, not by how they actually conducted themselves. In John 7:12, this same type of thought is given about Jesus. There it says, “And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, ‘He is good’; others said, ‘No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.'” It is certain that Jesus conducted Himself and His ministry with honor, but some chose to look at it in a contrary manner, speaking ill against Him. This is the same thing that the apostles faced. But they persevered in an honorable way in their efforts regardless of how they were spoken of.

Paul next says, “…by evil report and good report.” This is similar to the previous item in the list. Paul was constantly maligned (as certainly were all of the apostles) as evil doers. Reports were sent against them; some good and some bad. An example of a good report is found in the decree of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:22-29. An example of a bad report is found in Acts 17:5-9 where Paul and his associates were accused of having “turned the world upside down.”

Finally in the list of this verse, he notes that they are regarded “as deceivers, and yet true.” Again, this is similar to the first two thoughts in that accusations of false teaching and heresy were leveled against the apostles. The Jews saw the Christians as a false, breakaway sect. In their mission travels, they were accused of introducing an illegal form of religion under Roman law. They were accused of making stuff up out of their heads and even being insane.

And yet, the message that they carried was and is the only true path to salvation. Without it, there is no hope for fallen man. But with it, there is reconciliation between God and man, and the hope of an eternity of joy in His presence. The apostles carried this message faithfully and stood on it, even to death itself.

Life application: Concerning salvation, there is one truth of God and only one. It is found in the pages of the Holy Bible and it reveals the message of Jesus Christ. It has become more and more unpopular to the people of the world to hear that this is so. Because of this, faithful Christians can expect to be maligned, dishonored, and even accused of deception. These accusations may bring real trouble for Christians in the near future, but we are to be prepared for such a time and to be ready to make a defense for the hope which we profess. Be ready! Stand firm! Proclaim that Christ is Lord!

Heavenly Father, Jesus was maligned by those around Him as deceiving the people. Also, the apostles were accused of the same thing. They were dishonored and maligned by those they came to help. The message they carried was the truth and yet they were accused of being deceivers. And now this is happening in the country in which I live. But why should I care if I am simply telling the truth? They can have my body; You have my soul. No fear here. I proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord and the only way to be reconciled to You. Amen.

Thursday, 28 August 2015

…by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 2 Corinthians 6:7

In this portion of the on-going list, Paul gives specific gifts of the apostles which were a part of their ministry. The first is, “by the word of truth.” This is a way of saying “that which imparts God’s truth to men.” In their presentation, there was no corruption of the gospel through human systems of philosophy or of works being added to what God had done. Rather, it contains that which is pure and undefiled concerning the plan of salvation and the right division of the word of God.

Next he says “by the power of God.” The apostles were noted for having miraculous gifts which they exercised from time to time. These are recorded in Acts and a study of them shows that they were not always available, but it seems they knew exactly when they were and how to use them exactly as God intended. Further, “the power of God” is probably also speaking of the effect of the gospel on its hearers. People who had never heard of Jesus were converted by a simple explanation of who He is and what He came to do. If nothing else, that is a great example of the power of God working effectively in others!

In his next category, he changes the preposition from en (in or by) to dia (through or “by means of”) – “by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” The endowments they exercised were done so by the means of righteousness. There was nothing false in how they conducted themselves and what they did was for the glory of God and it was in accord with His righteous nature.

The term “on the right and on the left” is intended to show that they were fully prepared for whatever came their way. Just as a Roman soldier was capable of fighting with weapons in either hand, and as they were normally armed with a weapon in one hand and a shield in the other, they were able to fight both offensively and defensively. Likewise, the apostles were so prepared for the spiritual battles they faced. The idea is given a more thorough description in Ephesians 6 where Paul goes on to describe the whole armor of God by which they (and which includes even us today) were prepared for meeting the challenges they faced.

Life application: The apostles were given certain gifts and abilities which no longer exist today, but they were also endowed with gifts and abilities which each of us can exercise. With training and constant use, we can hone our abilities to become effective soldiers in the spiritual battlefield which rages all around us. Read Ephesians 6 today and think on how you can better prepare yourself for the challenges we as Christians are asked to face.

Heavenly Father, You have not left us on a battlefield without the implements to wage the war we face. Instead, You have given us a list of those things we need and which we should always have ready. Help us to be prepared for the spiritual conflict which wars against the souls of men and be with us as we engage in the battle. The devil and his demons are skilled warriors, but with those things You have provided us, and with Your presence among us, we will surely prevail! Thank You for being our Leader in this great conflict. Amen.

Wednesday, 27 August 2015

…by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
2 Corinthians 6:6

Paul’s list of what the apostles held fast to for the sake of the gospel continues to grow in this verse. His next characteristic is “by purity.” The idea he is certainly conveying is more than just a general concept of pure living which is free from sensual sin, but the purity of morals and of mind which are behind his actions. The apostles endeavored to be pure in all ways to the exclusion of even any impure thoughts. They had their thoughts, as it were, “fixed on Jesus.”

Next he includes “by knowledge.” Scholars disagree on what Paul is referring to with the Greek word gnosis. Is he speaking of a knowledge of the law, of prudent living, or something else? Based on his constant emphasis on the gospel of Christ, the simplest explanation of what he is speaking about is referred to in Ephesians 3:4 where he notes “my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.”

Although Paul was given specific knowledge of the gentile-led church that the other apostles apparently weren’t given, they were all endowed with understanding the things which had been revealed. In 2 Peter 3:15, Peter speaks of Paul’s wisdom on spiritual matters and he elevates Paul’s writings to the level of the rest of Scripture. Therefore, the “knowledge” he is referring to here for all of the apostles is certainly a gospel-based one.

His next category is “by longsuffering.” In the previous verse he mentioned “patience.” Now he brings in longsuffering. This isn’t just patience in the sense of waiting for others to learn, but rather it is the patience of enduring external attacks and fierce trials which attempted to thwart their effectiveness. Instead, they endured through these things, looking forward to a greater reward.

From this he moves to “kindness.” Despite the trials and external attacks, it was their goal to return kindness to those who persecuted them. This is in line with Jesus’ admonition to “turn the other cheek.” The apostles knew that argumentation and a defiant attitude would never change the hearts of their hearers.

“By the Holy Spirit” shows their grand reliance on God to conduct them and to lead the way for them. Instead of succumbing to the pressures and difficulties they faced, they relied on the strength of God which indwelt them. And with the fellowship of the Spirit, they were able to evince joy and contentment, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Finally in this verse, he mentions, “by sincere love.” Of all of the fruits of the Spirit, this is the one most highlighted in Paul’s writings. Instead of loving through pretense, they truly relied on the Spirit to fill them with the highest form of love. It is the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 and which allowed them to tend to those who otherwise would be rejected. But the love of God which filled the apostles was there because they had the example of Christ Jesus who went before them. He died for a world full of miserable wretches, and so He became that purest example for the apostles to emulate.

Life application: As the apostles lived, we too can live. If we simply rely on God and are in line with His word, we should be able to conduct ourselves in the same manner in which they did.

Lord Jesus, You came and lived among a rebellious race. You are so far above Your creatures that we cannot even compare to Your glory. And yet, You not only came to us in our rebellion, but You had compassion on us, You cared for us, You lived for us, and You died for us. What an example of the highest love of all. Now Lord, I ask that You fill me with the same love towards others. Help me to love the unlovable and to care for those who are down and out. Give me a servant’s heart to be a blessing to all. Amen.

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

…in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 2 Corinthians 6:5

In this verse, Paul continues with his list of what the apostles were willing to endure in order “that our ministry may not be blamed.” He begins with “stripes.” These would have come from both Romans and from Jews and the method in which each conducted them was different. Either way, it was a most painful procedure which was intended to humiliate and degrade the offender as if they were really scandalous people. Paul notes later in this epistle (verse 11:23-25) that he was scourged five times by the Jews and that he was beaten with rods three times. In Acts 5:40, other apostles were beaten by the Sanhedrin. Certainly other such “stripes” were to be found among the other apostles at other times as well.

Next is noted “imprisonments.” Peter and other apostles are noted as having been imprisoned in Acts. Paul is also so noted on several occasions there. Similarly, Paul was later imprisoned at the end of Acts. He wrote some of his epistles from prison. Roman prisons were dirty and smelly. If it was cold, they were very cold. If it was hot, they were very hot. The prisoners were often bound in chains so that they could hardly move. Sanitation was completely lacking. And yet, the apostles are recorded as having endured this for the name of Christ.

The word for “tumults” is described by Vincent’s Word Studies – “This is one of the words which show the influence of political changes. From the original meaning of unsettledness, it developed, through the complications in Greece and in the East after the death of Alexander, into the sense which it has in Luke – political instability. One of the Greek translators of the Old Testament uses it in the sense of dread or anxious care.” From this word, we can assume that Paul is speaking of any time they spoke and which was met with a great unsettling because of their words. The book of Acts is replete with such instances.

“In labors” is indicative of the constant work the apostles engaged in as they conducted their ministry. Paul was a tent maker and supported himself as he also labored in the sharing of the gospel. In order to feed themselves and live, it was not considered shameful to also work hard in labors. This is something almost foreign to the idea of being a “pastor” today. Jets and expensive hotels often await many as they travel around sharing watered-down messages to people. However, there are also many faithful pastors out there who are willing to show up on Sunday to preach and also do what is necessary to keep the home well fed during the week.

The words “in sleeplessness” are obvious. The days were long, the nights were filled with instruction, traveling was difficult and even dangerous if by land or by sea. The apostles endured long hours as they moved throughout their regions of evangelism in order to share the wondrous news of salvation through the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

Finally, today’s list includes “fastings.” There are probably two types of fasting referred to here. The first would be voluntary. The apostles would forego meals in order to continue sharing the gospel. They would fast in order to petition the Lord for His favor. They would fast so that they could travel without being heavy with food. For whatever reason, they would have voluntarily fasted. However, they would also have faced involuntary fasts. They would face a scarcity of food due to a lack of money, a lack of availability, or even because they were facing the “imprisonments” where they may have been denied proper food. For these and certainly other reasons, the apostles faced fastings which were hard on the body but good for the soul.

Life application: How easy we have had it in the modern world. But we must remember that there are, even to this day, faithful Christians who are in the mission field who are facing similar difficulties that the apostles faced. Let us pray for our missionaries and be thankful that there are such faithful people who are out doing great things in order to bring the message of Christ to a lost and dying world.

Heavenly Father, today I’d like to lift up the missionaries around the world who are faithfully spreading the message of Jesus to a lost and dying world. I know many of them are in most difficult places and are sharing a message which could even cost them their lives. And yet, they are willing to go forth in order to tell about Your giving of Jesus. Thank You for these people. Be an ever-present help and comfort to them as they serve You. Amen.

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 2 Corinthians 6:4

The word “but” is based upon what he just said in the preceding verse. It was the aim of the apostles to give no offense in anything in order to keep the ministry from blame. Instead of allowing this to occur, he notes that in all ways they commended themselves “as ministers of God.”

The word “commend” isn’t meant in the sense of “a pat on the back” but rather “how to behave.” Their actions and behavior were constantly being subordinated to the importance of their ministry. It was as if they had a subprogram running in the back of their mind, constantly reminding them of the solemnity of their work. Therefore, they were always ensuring their behavior was kept in line with the expectations Christ would have of their ministry.

After noting this, he now begins a lengthy list of such expectations beginning with “much patience.” This is perfectly in line with what he said to the Corinthians in his first letter. In his great discourse on love in 1 Corinthians 13, he says that “love suffers long.” This is something then that would be expected of an apostle. The demonstration of much patience, especially with those who were lost in sin, was necessary to bring them from their darkened state to the light of Christ.

He next says, “…in tribulations.” This is the same word used in 2 Corinthians 4:17. It indicates a “narrow place that ‘hems someone in’; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, ‘without options’).” The apostles, particularly Paul, as is documented in Acts, faced such pressures as they ministered to others.

His next description of them is “in needs.” It indicates “calls for timely help, i.e. strong force needed to accomplish something compulsory (absolutely required). This kind of situation is typically brought on by great pain or distress.” Again, the life of the apostle was frequented with such hardships.

Finally, this verse ends with “in distresses.” As with the previous two words, HELPS Word Studies gives us a clue concerning what Paul is trying to relay. This word means “properly, a narrow place; (figuratively) a difficult circumstance – which God always authorized and hence only produces a temporal sense of confinement. Through Christ’s inworking of faith, internal distress (sense of pressure, anguish) is ironically the way He shows His limitless work – in our ‘limitations’!”

Such was the life of the apostle as they endeavored to keep their ministries free from scandal. It was their heart’s goal and desire to glorify Christ and not bring any scandal upon His glorious name.

Life application: We live in a world of comfort and ease. But should that end for whatever reason, let us remember our testimony as bearers of the title “Christian” and endeavor to never bring discredit upon that glorious title.

Lord God, my heavenly Father – I bear a name and a title which has the highest honor of all. I bear the exalted name of Jesus and the title of Christian. Help me to always endeavor to remember my place and to never bring discredit upon either. Rather, grant me the grace to always bring glory to my Lord and to the faith which I possess in Him. This I pray to Your honor and glory. Amen.