©2002 Pastor Tom Miles

2 Corinthians Chapter Six

At the end of chapter five, Paul described himself as an ambassador for Christ.  He said he was one that made pleas for people to be reconciled to God.  In this chapter we will now see that he makes a plea for the Corinthians to be cautious that they don't receive God's grace and mercy in vain.  Paul lets them know it is time for them to turn to salvation.  Paul continues to show that he has acted always in a manner above reproach even through physical and spiritual sufferings.  Paul stresses that his ministry is of God!  Towards the close of chapter six Paul pleads with the Corinthians to open their hearts to him and not become unequally yoked with unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Paul begins an appeal for the people to not receive God's grace in vain.  Paul is curious how they could seemingly want to throw away his words--words that come from God not him.  It was like they were hearing what he had to say but not acting on it.  The people heard God's Word but didn't receive it--it was in vain.  God offers salvation to all people and makes it clear the time is now!  When God calls you to Him it is time to receive Him--not later.  Many though didn't want to make that decision and desired to wait for what might be a better time.  Verse two takes a quote from Isaiah 49:8.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 Paul begins addressing the life lived by a minister of the Gospel such as he.  Paul could also be said to be commending himself as a minister.  He feels no guilt in describing all the things he did in the name of God and all the things suffered for God.  Paul mentions numerous sufferings because of his stand for Christ.  The God-given characteristics Paul demonstrated in all things speak more highly than anyone else could of his integrity.  Paul lives a holy life and delivers the Gospel with power given to him by the Holy Spirit.
The ministry of the Gospel sometimes became a battle fighting for the right to further God's kingdom while many came against him as a minister and gave reports that attempted to harm his character.  The world does not recognize us for who we are just as the world did not recognize Christ for who He was.  Yet to God we are well known and to them that receive the Gospel in truth we are well known.  Even in the face of death we continue our ministry and God comes in and rescues us.  How beautiful to know that because of the Gospel all things are ours if we are in Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 Paul desires for the people to open their hearts wide to receive.  He expresses his own openness to them also.  He lets them know that they are speaking willingly and desire to be open and truthful with them because great is their love towards them.  Paul says just as I am open you also must be open.  If your hearts are closed you cannot receive and you your self hinder your blessings.  Paul says he is coming to them as a father would come to his children--pleading with them to respond in love and truth to him.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 The next five verses talk about our being separate from the world! In the first part of verse 14 Paul says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers,” meaning do not become intimately or personally tied to or associated with nonbelievers.  Christians should not join themselves to heathens.  When a Believer becomes intimately involved with unbelievers it opens the door to let wickedness and evil come in.  Keeping ourselves from intimate involvement with unbelievers helps to keep us holy.  Sin can come in so easily when we join ourselves to unbelievers.
Paul says how can righteousness live or fellowship with rebellion and how can light commune with darkness!  It would be like Christ attempting to have harmony with Satan (Belial).  A Believer should have no part with an unbeliever.  In the temple of God there should be no association with idols.  We are God's temples and God has promised to dwell with us and to walk with us and we should have no idols within us or before us.  We must therefore separate ourselves from the world if we desire to be the children of God!  Quoting from Isaiah 52 Paul makes it clear that we are to touch or associate with no unclean things or persons.  Israel was called to cleanse its self from all forms of pagan rituals and rites and this is what Paul is calling us to do also.
And in closing this chapter Paul says “and I will be a father unto you,” which is taken from Jeremiah 31 and Isaiah 43.  Several other passages also make reference to this phrase and these passages show us that it is God's desire and will for us to be separated from the world.  If we are separate from the world God will receive us and accept us as His own children.  “And ye shall be to me for sons and for daughters, saith the Lord Almighty,” similar to the promise made to Solomon in 1st Chronicles 28:6.

Father, let us be continuously watchful so that we do not place ourselves in a position of being unequally yoked.  Let us never compromise ourselves to the world’s ways and thoughts.  Keep us constantly in a manner that responds with love and truth to all people we come in contact with in Jesus name Amen!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

For instructions on being Born Again click on banner at top of page.
Thank you for reading.