Day 332: 2 Corinthians 4-6

(The previous post concluded with the Theme of Chapter 3: Paul contrasted the previous dispensation with the current dispensation. The words of the previous dispensation were etched in stone and resulted in the necessity of a veil between God and man. The words of this dispensation are written on the hearts of believers and removed the veil between God and man, and ought to result in the veil being removed between believers. Believers ought to be transformed by continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit through other believers.)

2 Corinthians 4
¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:

(Paul's ministry was preaching the Gospel to the lost, specifically to the Gentiles.)

² but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

(This verse continued to provide the context to the concluding verse of the previous chapter. Believers' unveiling is towards each other so that the manifestation of the truth occurs through each believer by the Holy Spirit and this is commended to every man's conscience, to every one we are unveiled towards! Fellowship with other believers ought to lead to the glory of God manifesting itself.)

³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish:

(If the Gospel was veiled (hidden), it was hidden to those who would perish (unbelievers). Paul continued the theme from the previous chapter: contrasting the previous dispensation with the current dispensation.)

⁴ in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.

(The god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that the light of the Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, would shine on them (unbelievers). The work Satan has done has caused people not to think.)

⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
⁶ Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

(Believers do not preach themselves, they preach God. God shines His light through believers for others to see. This was a reference to Genesis 1:2-3.)

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
⁸ we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;

(We are not perfect, the Holy Spirit within us is perfect. Believers will face trouble and believers ought to handle it well. Not only not being distressed or perplexed but also rejoicing in trials and tribulations. This ought to remove our flesh and allow more of the Holy Spirit to come through us.)

⁹ pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;
¹⁰ always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.

(Doctrine: Affliction comes so that the Holy Spirit within us can be apparent to all.)

¹¹ For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
¹² So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

(Doctrine: We face afflictions for Jesus' sake. Again, this is not a popular Doctrine in the church today.)

¹³ But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;

(Paul referenced part of Psalm 116:10. The entire verse was: "I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted:" Paul spoke the Gospel as an effect of him believing the Gospel, and was also afflicted because of believing the Gospel.)

¹⁴ knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.

(Paul had faith that God, who raised up Jesus, will raise up believers and will be present with believers. This was faith because Paul believed in something that had not happened yet.)

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
¹⁶ Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

(They did not faint because of the grace they received. Their inward man was growing stronger as afflictions came against their flesh which caused it to continue to decay so that more of the Holy Spirit could come through the believer.)

¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
¹⁸ while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(Paul called all the physical afflictions referenced throughout this chapter as "light," and the spiritual result would be more exceedingly. Paul focused on the spiritual, on things that were not seen. This took faith: "believing in something you cannot see." - (Hebrews 11:1) Paul stated the physical things we see were temporary, while the spiritual things we cannot see were eternal.)

(Theme of Chapter 4: Believers ought to be unveiled towards other believers so that the glory of God is manifested, however, the world will afflict believers because of this manifestation. The physical afflictions we experience because we believe the Gospel are necessary for the Holy Spirit within us to be apparent to all, and will result in a more exceeding eternal spiritual existence.)




2 Corinthians 5
¹ For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

(There is a house in heaven for believers to look forward: the new Jerusalem.)

² For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:
³ if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
⁴ For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.
⁵ Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

(Paul explained that when we lose the physical house/tabernacle for our souls, God will provide an eternal house/tabernacle which is the new Jerusalem. The "earnest of the Spirit" was also referred to as a "seal," like an engagement ring. Believers have the Holy Spirit in their hearts as a down payment for what is to come: living in the new Jerusalem (Bride) that will be married to Jesus.)

⁶ Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord
⁷ (for we walk by faith, not by sight);

(Walking by faith implies actions and progress as a result. Faith requires walking "not by sight" because faith is a belief in something you cannot see. In the previous chapter, Paul showed that being a believer ought to result in being unveiled towards other believers in fellowship so that the glory of God manifests and the world responds by afflicting believers.)

⁸ we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

(Doctrine: Paul stated believers are willing to die in order to be with the Lord.)

⁹ Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.

(Paul was focused on being well-pleasing to God, whether he was on earth or "at home with the Lord." Paul was focused on loving God (cause) regardless of his circumstances (effects). Paul stated believers ought to be focused on these things as well.)

¹⁰ For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(Doctrine: Everyone who ever lived, is living, and will live WILL appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ. All of our works, good and bad, will be recompensed (Rewarded). Justice will be completely equaled out.)

¹¹ Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

(Paul wanted his words and actions to persuade the consciences of those with which he interacted.)

¹² We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.

(Paul started this verse by stating that believers should not seek affirmation from others. We've seen Paul stated believers ought to be unveiled towards other believers so God could flow through them towards other believers. Paul wanted to give the Corinthians an answer for those who gloried in appearance and not in heart/actions.)

¹³ For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

(Paul continued to be about their best interest.)

¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;
¹⁵ and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.

(Doctrine: Believers should be living their lives for Him who gave His life for all.)

¹⁶ Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
¹⁷ Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

(If any man is in Christ he is a new creature (born anew/from above). Old things are passed away (repented of). All things are become new (by the Holy Spirit). Believers ought to focus on getting to know the new repented spiritually-minded person, not the former sinner. This reinforced the idea that not forgiving and completely receiving a repentant believer was giving Satan an advantage over believers.)

¹⁸ But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;
¹⁹ to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

(Paul supported the Doctrine of completely forgiving and receiving repentant believers. God had reconciled Himself to us all. He had given us the word/ministry of reconciliation. We are reconciled, through Justice, by Christ's sacrifice. Now we have this ministry. We ought to sacrifice ourselves for the Kingdom of God.)

²⁰ We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.

(Believers are ambassadors (messengers, representatives) of Christ. Christ completely forgives and receives repentant believers. Who are we to not forgive and receive others? Paul continued to reinforce this perspective.)

²¹ Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

(Christ was made sin so that we might be made Righteous of God in Christ. We have no right to not forgive and not completely receive repentant believers.)

(Theme of Chapter 5: Believers need to humble themselves. Believers ought to be willing to die to be with the Lord. Believers ought to realize everyone will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Believers ought to completely forgive and completely accept repentant believers because Jesus did this for us and for others. This was Jesus' ministry and He gave us this ministry. It would be prideful to do otherwise.)




2 Corinthians 6
¹ And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

(Do not receive the grace of God in vain (unprofitable). God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We ought to work with the Holy Spirit in our ministry of reconciliation, otherwise we are proud and have received the grace of God with no profitable effect.)

² (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):
³ giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;

(Paul referenced Isaiah 49:8 to support the gratitude in a repentant believer's heart for the Salvation provided by God through Jesus Christ. Paul stated that we should not do anything to hinder this ministry of reconciliation we do with the Holy Spirit. Next, Paul gave a description of the attributes of this ministry of reconciliation...)

⁴ but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
⁶ in pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
⁷ in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
⁸ by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

(This was an exhaustive list. Why don't believers memorize this list and quote it to each other? It is the work we ought to be doing with the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers as well as believers know the list of the effects of love from the thirteenth chapter of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. However, this list had thirty-eight attributes, with at least a dozen of them being what most people would call "negative"...and the over-whelming majority of believers would not be able to tell you where this list was located in the Bible. In fact, I believe most believers would tell you this list was not in the Bible.)

¹¹ Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged.
¹² Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections.

(Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to be straightened by the Spirit.)

¹³ Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.
¹⁴ Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?

(Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, do not let unbelievers hinder your progress/growth. This is a oft-quoted verse. However, this verse takes on a greater light when interpreted in the context of the list of thirty-eight attributes of which our ministry with the Holy Spirit consists. How would an unbeliever be able to bear these attributes? Paul stated the only reason believers ought to be able to do this was because we were grateful for what Jesus did for us and we looked forward to an eternity in paradise.)

¹⁵ And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?
¹⁶ And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

(Paul referenced Leviticus 26:12. Verses 15-16 were examples of unequal yokes. Notice, the unequal yokes were contradictory. Paul showed that being unequally yoked with unbelievers was living contradictory. Do you interact with unbelievers? If so, are you becoming more like them or are they becoming more like you? Are you growing in exhibiting the characteristics from the list of the thirty-eight attributes of the ministry of reconciliation that we ought to be working in with the Holy Spirit?)

¹⁷ Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,

(Paul referenced Isaiah 52:11.)

¹⁸ And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

(Paul referenced 2 Samuel 7:14. Paul did not believe a believer could work in the ministry of reconciliation and be in fellowship with unbelievers.)

(Theme of Chapter 6: Paul encouraged us not to receive the grace of God in vain. Paul presented a list of thirty-eight attributes believers ought to exhibit while they work in the ministry of reconciliation with the Holy Spirit. Paul did not believe we could do this ministry of reconciliation while being in fellowship with unbelievers.)

Day 333