2 Cor 6.1-18 gives us a summary of Paul’s ministry and how Paul relates to the Corinthians like a father.
v 1…And working together we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain (to no purpose)-
v 2…for he says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you (Isa 49.8)”; behold now is the day of salvation (it is being preached now,
v 3…giving no cause for offense (an occasion for stumbling) in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited (blamed),
v 4…but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance (patience), in afflictions, in hardships (necessities unmet), in distress (normal perplexities of life),
v 5…in beatings (lashes), in imprisonments, in turmoil (public oppositions), in labors (he worked for a living), in sleeplessness (anxieties), in hunger,
v 6…in purity (of doctrine and action), in knowledge (of the Torah), in patience (not easily provoked), in kindness, in the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the manifestations of the gifts), in genuine love (not by word only, but in action),
v 7…in the word of truth (the Torah, Prophets and Writings-the Tanak), in the power of God (in signs and wonders); by the weapons of righteousness (whole armor of God) for the right hand and the left (holding a shield and a sword),
v 8…by glory (some praised him) and dishonor (some didn’t), by evil report(slander) and good report, as deceivers and yet true (they were truthful men);
v 9…as unknown (to other people) yet well-known (to God), as dying (always in danger) yet behold, we live (on), as punished (chastened by God in trials) yet not put to death (preserved),
v 10…as sorrowful (troubled, cast down) yet always rejoicing (with an internal peace not seen), as poor (in poverty) yet making many rich (with true spiritual riches), as having nothing (of worldly value like a house, land or wealth) yet possessing all things (an inheritance in heaven).
v 11…Our mouth has spoken freely to you (very open and honest), O Corinthians, our heart (thoughts, desires, intentions) is open wide (plain, told it all, wrote out of genuine care).
v 12…You are not restrained (in our hearts) by us, but you are restrained in your own affections (heart, thoughts, intentions, desires).
v 13…Now in a like exchange (a return of their affections for him)-I speak as to children (who should give back their love)-open wide to us also (let your love gush forth to Paul and his people).
v 14…Do not be bound together with unbelievers (in their pagan practices; to keep an intimate relationship with them because there is too much gap between a Torah-based believer and an unbeliever; he is not talking about civil life and business nor in a marriage because it was allowed in 1 Cor 7); for what partnership have righteousness (as defined in the Torah) with lawlessness (“anomia” or without Torah beliefs), for what fellowship has light (understanding)n with darkness (ignorance)?
v 15…Or what harmony has the Messiah with Belial (a term for the False Messiah, the man of lawlessness in 2 Thes 2.3, and those who are against the Torah); or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever (don’t mix the seed of truth with error-Lev 19.19; Deut 22.9; Gen 3.15; Matt 13.24-30; 2 Sam 6.23; Dan 2.31-43; 2 Thes 2.6)?
v 16…Or what agreement (harmony) has the Temple of God (the body of believers; the Kahal) with idols? For we (plural; together) are the Temple of God (1 Cor 6.19), just as God said, “I dwell in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
v 17…Therefore, come out from their midst and separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean (ritually impure), and I will welcome (receive) you.
v 18…And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,” says the Lord Almighty.
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