2 Coríntios 6

2 Coríntios 6

Vincent comments that the “dominant idea is constraint." Stenochoria pictures finding oneself in a "tight corner", hemmed in with no way out, in a narrow strait without the possibility of escape. Stenochoria might be used of an army caught in a narrow, rocky defile with space neither to maneuver nor to escape. It might be used of a ship caught in a storm with no room either to ride it or to run before it. There are moments when a man seems to be in a situation in which the walls of life are closing round him -- that is the picture inherent in stenochoria. The opposite state, of being in a large place, was metaphorically used to describe a state of joy as in Ps 118:5 (Spurgeon's note) where the psalmist writes "From my distress I called upon the LORD. The LORD answered me and set me in a large place." Only 4x in NT - Rom. 2:9; Ro 8:35; 2 Co. 6:4; 2 Co. 12:10 Illustration The Perfect Preacher After hundreds of years, one has been found! A model preacher preaches 20 minutes and sits down. He condemns sin but never hurts anyone’s feelings. He works from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in every type of work from preaching to custodial service. He makes $60 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books regularly, has a nice family, drives a good car and gives $100 a week to the church. He also stands ready to contribute to every good work that comes along. He is 26 years old and has been preaching for 30 years. He is tall and short, thin and heavy-set. He has one brown eye, and one blue, and hair parted down the middle, left side dark and straight and the right brown and wavy. He has a burning desire to work with the teenagers, and spends all his time with the older folks. He smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work. He makes 15 calls a day on church members, spends all of his time evangelizing the unchurched, and is never out of his office. Amid A Crowd Of Paltry Things- Oswald Chambers …in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. — 2 Corinthians 6:4 It takes Almighty grace to take the next step when there is no vision and no spectator – the next step in devotion, the next step in your study, in your reading, in your kitchen; the next step in your duty, when there is no vision from God, no enthusiasm and no spectator. It takes far more of the grace of God, far more conscious drawing upon God to take that step, than it does to preach the Gospel. Every Christian has to partake of what was the essence of the Incarnation, he must bring the thing down into flesh-and-blood actualities and work it out through the finger-tips. We flag when there is no vision, no uplift, but just the common round, the trivial task. The thing that tells in the long run for God and for men is the steady persevering work in the unseen, and the only way to keep the life uncrushed is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the Risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to damp you. Continually get away from pettiness and paltriness of mind and thought out into the thirteenth chapter of St. John’s Gospel. Oswald Chambers - Approved Unto God - Always Now 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 “We . . . intreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (rv). The grace we had yesterday won’t do for to-day. “The grace of God”—the overflowing favour of God; we can always reckon it is there to draw on if we don’t trust our own merits (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Conditions of Saintliness in Private Trials But in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (2 Corinthians 6:4 rv) Our private life is disciplined by the interference of people in our own matters; the people who do not mean to be a trial are a trial; that is where the test for patience comes. Have we failed the grace of God there? Are we saying, “Oh, well, I won’t count this time”? It is not feeling the grace of God, it is drawing on it now. Whatever is our particular condition we are sure to have one of these things Paul mentions—afflictions, necessities, distresses. It is not praying to God and asking Him to help us in these things, it is taking the grace of God now. Many of us make prayer the preparation for work, it is never that in the Bible. Christianity is drawing on the overflowing favour of God in the second of trial. Conditions of Saintliness in Public Tribulations In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings. (2 Corinthians 6:5) These verses are Paul’s spiritual diary, they describe the outward hardships which proved the hotbed for the graces of the Spirit—the working together of outward hardships and inward grace. Imprisonments, tumults, labours—these are all things in the external life. “In tumults”—watch a porridge pot boiling and you will know what tumult means; in that condition draw on the grace of God now. Don’t say “I will endure it till I can get away and pray”; draw now, it is the most practical thing on earth. Whenever you are going through any tribulation that tears, don’t pray about it, but draw on the grace of God now. The exercise of prayer is the work of drawing now. Conditions of Saintliness in Pure Temperance In pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Ghost, in love unfeigned. (2 Corinthians 6:6 rv) These are the inner characteristics of the temperate life—pureness, knowledge, long-suffering, kindness, love unfeigned. There is no room for extravagant impulse there; you cannot be pure and impulsive, you can be innocent and impulsive, because that is the nature of a child. Purity is something that has been tried and found unspotted. We are always inclined to be intemperate about our religion, it is the last thing for which we learn to draw on the grace of God. In our praying we draw on our memories, on our past experiences, on our present desires. We only learn to draw on the grace of God by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering. How many of us have to learn that temperance is knowledge? We want to get short cuts to knowledge and because we cannot take them we rush off into intemperate work. Notice the disproportion between the modern disease called Christian work and the one characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit. The craze in everyone’s blood nowadays is a disease of intemperate work, external activities. “In long-suffering”—long-suffering is being drawn out until you can be drawn out no more, and not snapping. God puts His saints into places where they have to exhibit long-suffering. Let circumstances pull and don’t give way to any intemperance whatever, but in all these things manifest a drawing on the grace of God that will make you a marvel to yourself and to others. “In kindness”—be perfectly clear and emphatic with regard to your preaching of God’s truth, but amazingly kind in your treatment of people. Some of us have a hard, metallic way of dealing with people which never has the stamp of the Holy Ghost on it. The word of God is ,“sharper than any two-edged sword" but when you deal with people, deal with them in kindness; remember yourself that you are where you are by the grace of God. Don’t make God’s word what it is not. “In the Holy Ghost”—it is not the tones of a man’s speech or the passion of a man’s personality, it is the pleading power of the Holy Ghost coming through him. “. . . as though God were intreating by us” (rv): this is the entreaty that is learned at Calvary and made real in the worker by the Holy Ghost. “In love unfeigned.” Love feigned is this: “I love you very much, but . . .” Love unfeigned never thinks or looks at things like that. If love has to give stern rebuke it never prefaces it with remarks like that; the one great thing that moves us is the love of God which has been shed abroad in our hearts, and that love is described in 1 Corinthians 13. Proclaiming Testimony In the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. (2 Corinthians 6:7 rv) “In the word of truth”—draw on the grace of God for testimony. Not, “Oh, Lord, I am going to give testimony, please help me”: draw on the grace of God while you testify, proclaiming the truth in the presence of God. The first motive of testimony is not for the sake of other people but for our own sake; we realise that we have no one but God to stand by us. Always give your testimony in the presence of God, and ever remember God’s honour is at stake. “In the word of truth” in our testimony; “in the power of God” working in us, and “by the armour of in-the-rightness” of our public and private life shielding us. You cannot draw on the grace of God for testimony if these three things are not there—the word of God, the power of God, and the consciousness that you are walking in the integrity of that testimony in private, if they are there, then there is an unfaltering certainty. Am I “in the rightness” all round? Testimony frequently stops short because the armour of righteousness is not on the right hand and on the left. Keep drawing on the grace of God, then there will be the power of the proclaimed testimony. Personal Temperament By glory and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true. (2 Corinthians 6:8 rv) Each of these contrasts puts our natural temperament “out of it.” Let circumstances bring you where they will, keep drawing on the grace of God. Our temperament is not our disposition, temperament is the tone our nature has taken from the ruling disposition. When we had the disposition of sin our temperament took its tone from that disposition; when God alters the disposition the temperament begins to take its tone from the disposition He puts in, and that disposition is like Jesus Christ’s. Perfect Trustfulness As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed. (2 Corinthians 6:9) “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:12)—drawing on the grace of God in every conceivable condition. One of the greatest proofs that we are drawing on the grace of God is that we can be humiliated without the slightest trace of anything but the grace of God in us. Draw on the grace of God now, not presently. The one word in the spiritual vocabulary is “NOW.” Poverty Triumphant As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:10) As we draw on the grace of God He increases voluntary poverty all along the line. Always give the best you have got every time; never think about who you are giving it to, let other people take it or leave it as they choose. Pour out the best you have, and always be poor. Never reserve anything, never be diplomatic and careful about the treasure God gives. Always now is the secret of the Christian life. Being Real In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses. —2 Corinthians 6:4 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-11 An antique dealer thought the wrinkled old baseball card she found might be worth $10. After posting it on eBay, she began to wonder if it might be more valuable than she had thought. She removed the posting and consulted a professional evaluator who confirmed that the photo on the 1869 card showed the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first professional baseball team in the US. The card sold for more than $75,000. Mike Osegueda’s article in The Fresno Bee said that even though the card was creased and discolored, the most important thing was its authenticity—it was real. Paul and his companions suffered greatly while spreading the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 6, he listed their outward trials, their inward traits, and their spiritual resources (vv.4-7). Try to imagine the circumstances in which all these things interacted—beatings, patience, prison, kindness, distresses, love. Although broken physically, depleted emotionally, and tested spiritually, the authenticity of their faith in Christ clearly shone through. “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (v.10). O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art; Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart. —Chisholm There’s no substitute for being real. The Teacher’s Legacy We commend ourselves as ministers of God . . . by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love. —2 Corinthians 6:4,6 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Pastor Paul Walker shared this story of his salvation experience: “During my lifetime I was instructed by many different Sunday school teachers, but only one stands out in my memory. He was a big, red-faced ex-Marine, who probably broke every rule and technique of good teaching. The thing I remember best about him is how much he loved us. . . . “At the end of each session he would say, ‘Boys, let’s take time to kneel and talk to the Lord.’ Then he would try to put his big arms around all nine of us as we huddled together, and he would pray for each of us by name. Are you surprised that seven of those boys are now in the ministry, and that I am one of them?” If you have a Sunday school class, small group, or some other teaching responsibility, do you take a warm, personal interest in your students? The apostle Paul said he commended himself as a minister of God “by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love” (2 Corinthians 6:6). A Sunday school teacher, I don't know his name, Was a wonderful person who never found fame; Yet he shaped my whole life far more than he knew, For his loving example has helped me be true. —Anon. To love to teach is one thing—to love those you teach is quite another. Ordinary Days In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses. —2 Corinthians 6:4 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Have you ever received an annual holiday letter from an acquaintance that recounts the ordinary events of the past year? Has anyone told you about cleaning the carpet or taking out the trash? Not likely. An online publication called the Journal Of Mundane Behavior says these routine events fill most of our time. The managing editor, a sociologist, says everyday life is valuable, since we spend nearly 60 percent of our lives doing things like commuting to work and shopping for groceries. We don’t often consider the apostle Paul’s ordinary days, but he wrote, “In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God” (2 Corinthians 6:4). “All things” included not only harsh persecution but also “needs, sleeplessness, purity, kindness, love” and other everyday experiences (vv.4-10). Oswald Chambers said that we tend to lose our enthusiasm “when there is no vision, no uplift, but just the common round, the trivial task. The thing that tells in the long run for God and for men is the steady persevering work in the unseen, and the only way to keep the life uncrushed is to live looking to God” (My Utmost For His Highest, March 6). If we commit ourselves to Christ And follow in His way, He'll give us life that satisfies With purpose for each day. —Sper To get the most out of life, make every moment count for Christ. Work Opportunity In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses. —2 Corinthians 6:4 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Imagine an 18-year-old searching the want ads for a summer job. Because he likes the outdoors, his interest is drawn to an ad about a national wildlife and fish refuge. It lists several job openings, but instead of promising attractive benefits and lucrative pay, the ad warns that the work will include “exposure to heat, humidity, rain, mud, millions of biting mosquitoes, poisonous plants, barbed wire, and hard work.” The pay is minimum wage. Now imagine that the 18-year-old is a Christian looking for meaningful spiritual service. His eyes rest on the 6th chapter of 2 Corinthians. There he finds the apostle Paul describing the highest calling of all, an opportunity to work for the Lord. But again the job description is very candid about some of the stresses that go with the work. Although Paul’s experiences as an apostle were unique, his words remind all readers that serving the Lord is not one big vacation. It requires great care and effort, and it takes the highest commitment. Be not weary in well-doing, Though your labors cause you pain; There will always be a harvest From the sowing of the grain. —Anon. We can never sacrifice too much for the One who sacrificed His all. 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, KJV 2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; NET 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger, BGT 2 Corinthians 6:5 ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις, ἐν κόποις, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν νηστείαις, NLT 2 Corinthians 6:5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. ESV 2 Corinthians 6:5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; NIV 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; YLT 2 Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in insurrections, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, ASV 2 Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; CSB 2 Corinthians 6:5 by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, MIT 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in mob violence, in hard labors, in deprivations of sleep, in fastings; NKJ 2 Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; NRS 2 Corinthians 6:5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; NAB 2 Corinthians 6:5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts; NJB 2 Corinthians 6:5 when we are flogged or sent to prison or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving; GWN 2 Corinthians 6:5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and lack of food. BBE 2 Corinthians 6:5 In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food; in beatings: 2Co 11:23-25 De 25:3 Isa 53:5 Ac 16:23 imprisonments: 1Ki 22:27 2Ch 16:10 Jer 33:1 37:15,16 38:6 Mt 14:3,10 Ac 5:18 Ac 12:4,5 Acts 16:24 Acts 22:24 Acts 23:35 Acts 24:27 Acts 26:10,29 Acts 28:16,17,30 Eph 3:1 Php 1:13 2Ti 1:8 2:9 Heb 11:36 13:23 Rev 2:10 in tumults 2Co 1:8-10 Ac 14:19 Acts 17:5 Acts 18:12-17 Acts 19:23-34 Acts 21:27-35 Acts 22:23 Acts 23:10 labors: 2Co 11:23 1Co 15:10 1Th 2:9 1Ti 4:10 in sleeplessness, ,: 2Co 11:27 Eze 3:17 Mk 13:34-37 Ac 20:31 2Ti 4:5 Heb 13:17 in hunger: Mt 9:15 Ac 13:3 14:23 1Co 7:5 2 Corinthians 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Acts 16:23-24+ (PAUL AND SILAS) When they had struck them with many blows (plege), they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely. 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 2 Corinthians 11:24-25+ Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 1 Thessalonians 2:9+ For you recall, brethren, our labor (kopos) and hardship, how working (ergazomai) night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 1 Timothy 4:10+ For it is for this (see 1Ti 4:8+) we labor (related verb kopiao) and strive (agonizomai), because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. A CALL TO SUFFER FOR THE GOSPEL The list in this verse would in effect be specific examples of the afflictions, hardships, distresses, just mentioned. It is notable that throughout this section we hear not even a suggestion of complaining or grumbling! Paul is a Spirit filled man (cf Php 2:13-14+). In beatings (plege) - Literally refers to blows to Paul's body as he amplifies later asking "Are they servants of Christ?–I speak as if insane–I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep." (2Co 11:23-25+). Writing to the Galatians Paul described the effects of his beatings writing "From now on let no one cause trouble (kopos) for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks (stigma) of Jesus." (Galatians 6:17+) Pulpit Commentary - The stripes were of two kinds—from Jewish whips and Roman rods. But of the five scourgings with Jewish whips not one is mentioned in the Acts, and only one of the three scourgings with Roman rods (Acts 16:23). Nothing, therefore, is more clear than that the Acts only furnishes us with a fragmentary and incomplete record, in which, as we gather from the Epistles, either the agonies of St. Paul’s lifelong martyrdom are for some reason intentionally minimized, or else (which is, perhaps, more probable) St. Paul was, as his rule and habit, so reticent about his own sufferings in the cause of Christ that St. Luke was only vaguely, if at all, aware of many scenes of trial through which he had passed. (2 Corinthians 6) In imprisonments (phulake - jailed) - This is the story of Paul's life after completing the three missionary journeys - see Acts 22:24 Acts 23:35 Acts 24:27 Acts 26:10,29 Acts 28:16,17,30. Paul was frequently in prison at Philippi; the Roman imprisonment and that at Cæsarea.