II Corinthians, Chapter 6

The child of god and life's relationships before God is found in chapter 6.

The neglecting the grace of God is in verse 1 and 2. Workers together with God is specifically in verse 1. What higher calling or position could a human being occupy than that of being a worker together with God? This high calling is based upon what has been brought to our attention in the closing verses of chapter 5, mainly that of reconciliation. Paul begs these Christians not to receive the grace of God and throw it away, in the sense that no purpose is accomplished by it in your life or ministry. There is a need in Christian circles for valiant workers to stem the tide that is upon us. Think of the tragic words of Marshal Petain over a fallen France, "Our spirit of enjoyment was stronger than our spirit of sacrifice. We wanted to have more than we wanted to give. We tried to spare effort and met disaster." Right now is the time to work for God (verse 2). In this verse we have a partial quote from Isa. 49:8; and surely as the Apostle wrote this, though guided by the Holy Spirit, we catch a glimpse of this through knowledge of the Old Testament. These words are addressed mainly to the Corinthian Christians and not to the pagans of Corinth. Whoever is not concerned with the work of God has received grace in vain. Here is a warning to those who have experienced the ministry of reconciliation. It might also be added that if this is the day in which reconciliation is offered, then it follows that it is the day in which it can be accepted.

The child of God in relationship to his work is found in verse 3-10. Care is taken to see that no one is offended by our living (verse 3). There will always be those who find fault with your service to God. Paul says he sought not to put a single hindrance in their way. The biggest hindrance to winning others to Christ is the lives of God's people. Our God -given responsibility is to live in such a manner as to properly represent Christ.

Nine testings of the worker are listed in verse 4 and 5. Patience and great endurance are developed by means of these nine tests.

Afflictions - As God permits affliction, so He sends grace to endure.

Hardships - Sometimes God allows His servant to suffer need, and this does not contradict Phil. 4:19. God allows things to come into our lives that His purpose might be accomplished.

Distress - As one gets into a corner, he/she turns more to God, and this sometimes is the lesson. Beatings - Paul knew something about this, for the whip of the religious and pagan crowd as well had been Paul's lot.

Imprisonments - After beatings many times, the victims were cast into prison to suffer even more.

Tumults - Violence of the mob was incited to insane hatred by bigoted religious leaders.

Labors - This speaks of toil or rigorous labor. Paul was a tent maker by trade and worked at it.  Don't make the mistake of giving the people you serve  the impression that you are too good to do manual labor.

Watching - There will be nights of keeping watch because of an agonized heart.

Fasting - This speaks of self-denial and sacrifice. This is rigorous training for the body, and Paul says in I Cor.: 9 that the body is to be kept in subjection.

Nine characteristics that a worker should find true on the inside are in verses 6 and 7.

Pureness - The greatest personal credential a Christian worker can have is pureness. Let us study to be pure in our life that we will be without offense.

Knowledge - An old Greek maxim is "The beginning of knowledge is the knowledge of ignorance." The knowledge we are to possess is that of spiritual things.

Long suffering - This is gracious forbearance that endures under ill treatment. It's difficult to provoke.

Kindness - Christian kindness will win others when oratory and personality have failed. Kindness melts the ice of indifference and breaks the flinty heart.

The Holy Spirit - To be effective servants of God, not only must we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, which all true Christians have, but also we must be filled daily with His presence and walk constantly under His control.

Love unfeigned - Love must be sincere and genuine and not affected. It wears well and is lasting.

The word of truth - This refers to the scriptures. The servant of God should seek to be efficient in the use of this weapon.

The power of God - The power of God in us allowed to flow a clean vessel can operate unbelievable miracles.

Armor of righteousness - The armor on the right hand is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and is used as a weapon of offense. The left hand carries the shield of faith, which is for defense.

Nine paradoxes of the faithful child of God are found in verses 8-10.

By honor and dishonor - Each servant of God will receive honor from some and dishonor from others. Some will approve of one's work, and others will disapprove.

By evil report and good report - The servant of God is to expect both praise and blame. One will uphold him/her, and another will blast him/her. If our character is what it should be, this won't upset us.

By deceivers and yet true - Even by those who oppose us and brand us deceivers, there will be vindication if we stand for the truth.

As unknown and yet well known - The world will not think much of you, but God and His people will. To be well known to God is the important thing.

As dying and behold we live - The child of God must be willing on occasion to live dangerously.  (Job security must not mean everything.)

As punished or chastened and not killed - Patience during divine discipleship and yet not killed. This is a time where all out devotion is tried.

.As sorrowful and yet always rejoicing - Regardless of our circumstances, we are filled with joy because of God's wonderful goodness to us and His day by day grace (James (1:17).

As poor, yet making rich - As far as earthly possessions are concerned, the servant of God may not have much, but we can be rich toward God.

As having nothing and yet possessing all things - Those who are possessed by their possessions have nothing. The person who possesses spiritual things, which do not decay, has a wealth everlasting.

The child of God in his associations with other Christians is stated in verses 11 -13. To be one of warmth and affection is mentioned in verse 11. Paul begins this with an expression of strong feeling. His mouth was open to them in the sense of speaking freely and openly. He was not hiding anything or holding anything back. "Our heart is wide" spoke of warm and generous feelings toward them. Paul says our heart is expanded wide open for you. Paul points out their lack of love toward him in verse 12, however. A large heart is one expanded by love, and a straightened heart is void of generous affection. To be straightened is to lack room. In other words, they were restricting their own affections. Paul's charge here is that there is no room in them to receive him because their hearts are narrow or contracted. Paul is saying they are lacking room for him in their heart. In contrast, Paul's heart was not narrow, and there was room to receive them along with all others "In Christ." We should be careful that we do not become narrow to the point where we do not accept anyone who does not completely agree with us. The child of God is to have an open heart toward fellow believers. Here then Paul exhorts them to have a large heart that they may receive him as they ought and also receive one another in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

The child of God and his associations with unbelievers is discussed in verses 14-18.  First, a command to every child of God is in verse 14. Probably taken from Deut. 22:10, the children of Israel were forbidden to yoke an ox and ass together. One of these animals was clean, but the other was not. For this reason they did not belong together. In other words, do not be mismated with unbelievers. Paul points out how inconsistent it is for the child of God who would link himself/herself with an ungodly partner and think he/she could glorify the Lord. Many, many fine testimonies have been ruined in this manner. This principle also applies to relationships in society and business relationships as well. The believer and unbeliever have altogether different objectives in life in view of eternity. Righteousness is opposed to unrighteousness as is light to darkness. The question is what do they have in common? What bond or union of sympathy exists between them? The inseparable gulf that exists in these relationships is asked in verse 15 and 16. What concord or "harmony of voice" has Christ with Satan? The word beliah refers to Satan but also includes his followers in this term which carries the thought of worthless. It follows that if Christ and Satan are not in harmony, neither will be their respective followers. Verse 16 is very clear that the temple of God is unsuitable or incompatible with idols and as such should not be associated. The direct assuration is that we who believe are the temple of the living God. "I will be their God, and they shall be my people" is one of the most comprehensive and frequently repeated promises of the Scripture (Gen. 17, 18; Deut. 29; Jeremiah 31, 32, and etc. Divine favor with God is in verse 17 and 18. Here Paul quotes from Isa. 52:11, 12 where God addresses His people Israel. God's blessing is conditioned upon separation, and the ages have proven the truthfulness of this statement. "For if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (I John 2:15). In verse 18, God says, "... and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters." All the blessings of closeness that is involved will be ours. This is the promise of the Lord Almighty or "Universal Ruler." The greatness of the Promiser enhances the greatness of the promise.

The behavior of the child of God in view of the promises made can be found in chapter 7:1. This verse properly belongs to the context of chapter 6. In view is the cleansed life on the basis of the promises of intimate association with God and assurance of His love. There is a negative and positive cleansing. The negative involves the filthiness of the flesh and spirit. The positive involves perfecting holiness in the fear of God.