Lesson: II Corinthians 6:1-13; 7:2
Golden Text: “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man” (II Corinthians 7:2).
I. INTRODUCTION. As mentioned in previous lessons from II Corinthians, the apostle Paul had received reports that some believers in Corinth were offended by the tone he used as he addressed certain issues in his previous letters. As a result, the relationship between Paul and many of the believers at Corinth had been damaged and needed to be repaired. We cannot overstate the importance of restoring damaged relationships. In this week’s lesson, Paul attempts to restore his relationship with the Corinthians through reconciliation. As Christians, we should be examples to the world on how to be reconciled to one another when our relationships have been harmed.
II. GETTING THEIR ATTENTION (II Corinthians 6:1-4)
A. A plea (II Corinthians 6:1-2). In II Corinthians chapter 5:17-21, Paul declares to his readers that since they were saved, they were new creatures in Christ. Like all believers they had been reconciled to God. The word reconcile means to “bring together again” or “to make peace.” The Greek word means “to change completely” indicating that in order for there to be reconciliation a change must take place with one or more parties who are at enmity with each other. When we are reconciled to God, we are the ones who make the change so that we can have peace with God who makes reconciliation possible through faith in Jesus Christ produced by the gospel. Having made his point about reconciliation in general, Paul now turns his attention to the reconciliation that needed to take place between him and the Corinthians. However, if the peace between Paul and the Corinthians had been broken, it would be the Corinthians who needed to change because Paul held no grudges.
1. (vs. 1). In our first verse Paul said “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” Although Paul considered himself and the Corinthian believers to be “workers together with him (God),” the word “We” actually refers to Paul and his companions. The word “him” refers to God. Therefore, as “workers together with” God, Paul said we “beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” The phrase “the grace of God” is another way that Paul describes the gospel. No doubt Paul felt that there were some Corinthians who hadn’t really accepted the gospel and therefore were not saved, so he begged them to “receive” it and allow it to make a change in them (see Matthew 13:20; I Corinthians 15:2). It appears that Paul felt that the change that should come with being saved was lacking in many Corinthian believers. To receive the gospel “in vain” means to pretend to accept it which makes it worthless or unfruitful. The people heard God’s message, but didn’t allow it to affect what they said or did. This was possible because false teachers had misled them about the gospel (see II Corinthians 2:17; 11:4).
2. (vs. 2). To confirm the importance of receiving the gospel immediately, Paul said “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” For those who hadn’t truly accepted the gospel message, or had not changed their behavior, Paul quoted the first part of Isaiah 49:8. The phrase “For he saith” introduces what God had to say about salvation to Israel, but Paul applies it to the Corinthians. God said to Israel that “I have heard thee in a time accepted.” This refers to a time or season to receive God’s message that’s acceptable to God, not to man, because it is the “day of salvation” declared by God. Both phrases “a time accepted” and “the day of salvation” refer to a period of grace during which God gives men the opportunity to respond to His message through Christ. This period of grace or “the day of salvation,” started with Jesus’ earthly ministry and will continue until Christ returns for His church. When a person is saved, God has “succored” or helped that person out of eternal death into eternal life. Paul then added his own words, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” to impress upon the Corinthians that when they heard the gospel message, that was the time to accept it and they couldn’t put off any longer. Note: Many people put off making a decision about Christ, thinking that they have plenty of time. However, they could miss their opportunity altogether. No one knows how long God’s accepted time will last, because we don’t know when Christ will return. We must accept God’s call to salvation right now. Paul’s statement here also implies that man has a responsibility to respond to God’s gospel, and that God’s offer of reconciliation is only for a limited time.
B. A commendation (II Corinthians 6:3-4).
1. (vs. 3). In this verse Paul says “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” The apostle always considered what effect his actions would have on his ministry for Jesus Christ. He never wanted to do anything to hinder anyone from seeking the Lord or serving Him. Therefore he said that he gave “no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” In other words, he didn’t want to set a bad example as a servant of Christ causing the gospel ministry to be “blamed” or discredited.
2. (vs. 4). Contrary to being a hindrance to the gospel, Paul said “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.” Paul believed that he and his associates had proved themselves as “ministers” or servants of God. He then went on to list some of the hardships in general that they had experienced while serving the Lord. First, he said that they proved themselves as ministers of God “in much patience.” The Greek word for “patience” means “endurance.” Everything that Paul and his companions experienced or suffered required great endurance. Second, they endured “afflictions” meaning pressures, both spiritual and physical. Third, they proved themselves by enduring “necessities” which refers to times when their needs were not met. Fourth, they endured “distresses” meaning situations that appear to have no way of escape.
III. EXPLAINING THE REALITIES (II Corinthians 6:5-10)
A. Difficult things (II Corinthians 6:5). In this verse, Paul continued listing the difficulties they endured as proof that they were ministers of God. He said “In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings.” The first three trials were those brought upon them by other people. The word “stripes” refers to the beatings they endured (see Acts 16:19-23; II Corinthians 11:23-24). They also endured “imprisonments” meaning they were thrown in jail (see Acts 16:23). The word “tumults” refers to commotions or stirring up trouble (see Acts 13:50; 14:5; 19:23-29). The next three trials were things that Paul put himself through in order to endure and carry out his ministry effectively. He and his coworkers had suffered “in labours” or spiritual and physical fatigue. The term “watchings” refers to sleepless nights (see II Thessalonians 3:8), and of course “fastings” mean that he often went without food.
B. Godly things (II Corinthians 6:6-7).
1. (vs. 6). In this verse, the apostle listed some spiritual qualities which enabled him to endure victoriously the trials he had just mentioned. He was able to endure “By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned.” The term “pureness” speaks of moral purity and singleness of purpose. “Knowledge” refers to his understanding of God’s will, ways and His Word. “Longsuffering” refers to being able to put up with difficult people. It means forbearance or being able to tolerate others. “Kindness” simply means treating people right. Paul and his companions were able to show these qualities only “by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned.” As they submitted to the Holy Spirit, they were also able to show “love unfeigned” or sincere love.
2. (vs. 7). Paul continued saying “By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” The apostle now gives the conditions of his ministry. First, his ministry was “By the word of truth” meaning they only spoke the truth of the gospel of Christ. Second, his ministry was “by the power of God.” This probably refers to them yielding to the power of God to assist them in carrying out their ministry. They were able to be successful in ministry “by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” In other words, they had everything in the godly man’s arsenal—weapons of defense and weapons of offense or attack (see II Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Normally in battle, the right hand held a sword to go on the offensive, and the left hand held a shield for defending oneself. No soldier is fully prepared for battle without both. Note: In giving the warrior’s spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:4-17, Paul lists the armor we are to put on in order to fight and win in spiritual warfare. To defend ourselves, we are to have on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet covered with the preparation of the gospel of peace, having faith as our shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at us by Satan, and the helmet of salvation. In order to attack or go on the offensive, we must have the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (see Matthew 4:1-11). Without the complete armor of God we are destined for spiritual defeat, for our war is not against flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
C. Misunderstood things (II Corinthians 6:8-10).
1. (vs. 8). In this verse Paul begins to list some of the things people were saying about him contrasted with what was really true about him. He said “By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true.” The word “by” is better translated as “through.” In other words, Paul was able to remain faithful to his ministry through “honour and dishonor.” There were those who honored him or held him in high esteem, and some who dishonored or disrespected him. There were some who gave him an “evil report” meaning they only had bad things to say about him, while others gave him a “good report” or spoke well of him. Some accused Paul and his companions of being “deceivers” or false apostles, and others accepted them as true ministers.
2. (vs. 9). Here Paul continues to contrast what people thought of him. He said “As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed.” Some in Corinth treated Paul and his companions like completely “unknown” persons, but to others he was “well known” because of his ministry among them. There were times when people thought he was “dying” but he declared “behold, we live.” In other words, when left for dead, much to everyone’s surprise, God continued to let him live (see Acts 14:19-20; 28:3-6). They had also been “chastened.” This can refer to the punishment or beatings they received from men, or the chastisement they may have received from God (see Psalms 118:18). We can’t be sure from the context. However, although they had been “chastened,” they were “not killed.”
3. (vs. 10). Paul goes on to say “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” As he ministered, there were times when some people saw Paul as “sorrowful” or often experiencing sorrow or sadness, but actually he was always “rejoicing.” Paul was always aware of his unquenchable joy in the Lord (see Philippians 4:4). He may have appeared “poor” but he made “many rich.” Paul may have been poor materially, but God gave him the privilege of doing what really counts, making others spiritually rich through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 3:7-8). Some may have thought Paul had “nothing” or possessed very little, but in reality, he saw himself as “possessing all things.” In other words, he possessed all that really matters. Besides, our wealth isn’t what we have here, but what we have for eternity (see Romans 8:17, 32; I Corinthians 3:21). Note: The things that Paul mentioned in verses 8-10 were things people were saying about him and how he really saw things in Christ who gave him the strength to continue to preach the gospel regardless of what people thought (see Philippians 4:11-13). Christians don’t have to give in to public opinion and pressure. Paul stood faithful to God whether people praised him or condemned him. He remained active, joyous, and content in the most difficult hardships. We can’t let circumstances or people’s expectations control us. We must be firm as we stand true to God and refuse to compromise his standards for living.
IV. REQUESTING COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE (II Corinthians 6:11-13; 7:2 )
An open heart (II Corinthians 6:11-13).
1. (vs. 11). Paul now makes an appeal to his readers. He begins by saying “O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.” The words “O ye Corinthians” reveal that Paul was very passionate and emotional about what he was saying. He addresses his readers by name on only two other occasions and both times he was making emotional appeals (see Galatians 3:1; Philippians 4:15). The phrase “our mouth is open unto you” was Paul’s way of saying “we have spoken openly and freely to you.” In other words, he had spoken to them as one would with a very close friend. He also added that “our heart is enlarged.” This means that he and his companions were being totally transparent with the Corinthians, not hiding anything from them. They were revealing their true feelings and showing their love for the Corinthians.
2. (vs. 12). Paul continued to say to the Corinthians that “Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.” The word “straitened” means “restricted” or “held back.” Many in Corinth were holding back their love for Paul and his companions because of the tone of his previous letter to them. Since it appeared to be harsh, they thought Paul didn’t love them anymore. However, the guilt lay with the Corinthians. They were holding back any feelings of love on their own. The word “bowels” refers to one’s inner feelings.
3. (vs. 13). Here Paul says “Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.” The word “recompense” means to repay the equivalent of what has been received. Since Paul and his companions had declared their openness and love for the Corinthians, it was only right that they “recompense in the same” meaning that they should reciprocate or return that same love. The phrase “be ye also enlarged” was Paul’s way of asking the Corinthians to be open and receptive to them as he had been with them. Paul also said that he spoke to them as “unto my children” in the sense that children hold a special place of affection for their father. As the founder of the church in Corinth, he felt the bond of father and child with these believers. Note: When the ministry of the gospel is hindered by conflict, it can be restored to effectiveness when we reconcile and love one another. The language of this verse may seem strange to our culture, but what Paul was actually saying was “Look, I am being open and honest and loving with you. Please do the same for me.” Paul wasn’t offended with the Corinthians, so he was asking them not to be offended with him.
B. An honest heart (II Corinthians 7:2). In our final verse, Paul makes an appeal to the Corinthians as he says “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.” Just as he did in verse 13, Paul here makes an appeal to the Corinthians to receive him and his companions as he said “Receive us.” His appeal to the church to receive them was based on three things. First, he said “we have wronged no man.” No matter what anyone may think or assumed, Paul and his associates hadn’t hurt anyone in his ministry. Second, he said “we have corrupted no man.” The word “corrupted” means to ruin or spoil. Paul and his companions were not guilty of ruining anyone. Third, he said “we have defrauded no man.” The word “defrauded” means to have cheated, or taken advantage of someone. Paul could safely and honestly declare that they hadn’t taken advantage of anyone. Simply put, Paul was begging the Corinthian Christians to “Accept me! I didn’t exploit any of you.” The apostle took the high road and the initiative with these believers. In light of all that they meant to each other, Paul pleaded for reconciliation or peace once again between them. Note: It’s God’s will that we seek reconciled relationships in our churches. Jesus saw it as absolutely vital, for He said in Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” So, how can we worship and please God if we aren’t right with each other? When things get strained and difficult, God doesn’t advise us to change churches; He wants us to reconcile or make peace again. Like the Apostle Paul, we should do all we can to be reconciled with others with whom we have differences. There are times we must agree to disagree on a given issue. To be united, to be reconciled with others, doesn’t mean we must agree on everything all the time. But as God’s ministers and ambassadors on earth, we must do all we can not to cause fellow believers to stumble, and stay at peace with one another.
V. Conclusion. The message of God’s love calls for Christians who have been in conflict with each other to be reconciled or to make peace. We are all sinners for whom Christ died and we have nothing to commend us to God except what the Lord Jesus has done for us. We have no right to be hard-hearted with anyone over any offense that we have allowed to cause us to stop loving someone. We must be forgiving. Reconciliation and the love and openness that comes from it are necessary for Christian love and ministry.
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