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1
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain -
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From the context in Greek, the beginning of this verse is best translated as "And as co-workers with Christ" The co-workers are Paul, Timothy and all of Paul's team. It could be the less specific God instead of Christ, but the preceding chapter makes Christ a better choice. They are bringing the message of reconciliation with God specifically to the Corinthians here, (and also everyone else.)
Put simply, it says we exhort you to receive the grace of God and be reconciled to Him through Christ. From the context of chapter 5, it is likely that the receiving in vain referred to is that there has been no change in many of the Corinthians, or at the least have not shown any growth as Christians. They are still living under the bondage of self instead of the freedom of living to Christ. It is unlikely that Paul means they have fallen away in this instance, even though he speaks of that elsewhere in this letter. It is highly unlikely from the tense used that Paul is referring to a counterfeit faith or a lack of endurance. (And it is not at all likely that Paul is referring to humankind in general.)
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2
for He says,
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"At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you."
Behold, now is "the acceptable time," behold, now is "the day of salvation" -
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Isaiah 49:8 is quoted from the Septuagint. This is to add to the urgency in verse 1, as well as referring to the prophecy of Isaiah being fulfilled.
What is meant by an "acceptable time"? As God is outside time, it doesn't seem likely that this is referring to Him, or even some heavenly condition. When Jesus read from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue of Nazareth where he grew up, then declared that this prophecy has been fulfilled. (Luke 4:16-21) In light of that scripture, the acceptable time refers to the time that humanity, or rather Israel, was ready for the Messiah. (But it wasn't in the way the Israelites thought it would be.)
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3
giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
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This is a verse often taken out of context and distorted. Some translations say stumbling block. But that is not in this verse and hurts the ability to understand what is being said. The NASB is correct here.
It does not say to never let anyone take offense. That is impossible. Paul is clear that we do not give cause for offense. People will take offense without cause. Even if we become doormats and are useless to Christ, there will still be some who take offense. We should not cause offense without cause. We will cause offense for unbelievers even if we say nothing just because they know we are Christians. They will resent the conviction of their own conscience that our following Christ brings up in them. Those doing wrong within the Christian fellowship will take offense at proper correction, even if done in love as Paul instructs. Paul is not saying to stop doing what is right. But we should be careful in our words and deeds.
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4
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God,
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It is in service to God that we commend ourselves. Not in boasting, self-promotion, and being self-focused. In service to God our focus is on Him first, and then others. Proper focus on self is for the betterment of our service to God.
The word servants in Greek is diakonoi, which is where the office of deacon comes from. Just as the word Pastor is shepherd in Latin, which of all the jobs of the time is the one where self-sacrificial service is most clearly demonstrated by the care required to be a good shepherd. Selfishness is incompatible with being God's servant, especially for anyone in a leadership role.
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in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5
in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
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Paul's commendation of himself, (and his team,) here is not a contradiction of 2 Corinthians 5:12. His critics commend themselves with earthly commendations, such as their affiliation with the church in Jerusalem, their accomplishments, knowledge, and giftings. A big criticism of Paul by these was that Paul's hardships and trials were evidence that he was not a good servant of God. The world judges by worldly success. Paul flips their own argument against them. That he is opposed in this world ruled by Satan and his minions is really proof of great, effective, and selfless service to God. It is not a dishonor, it is actually an honor. Just as Jesus being crucified was the most shameful death in both Jewish and Roman culture, in reality it was the highest honor as by that act of self-sacrifice Jesus saved us all.
(The split at verse 5 is probably because the list changes from general to specific trials.)
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6
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
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Here Paul shifts from the trials to the ways in which he, (and his team,) lived through them. Again, this is not a call to be doormats, but to persevere and be blameless in God's sight. Acts 16:16-40 is a perfect example. Paul and Silas were falsely accused, unjustly and illegally stripped, beaten and put in jail. Yet they still sang praises to God and behaved in a Christian manner. But they weren't doormats. When the magistrates realized they were in the wrong, (and they could have had the same punishment or worse done to them,) Paul demanded justice. As human beings, that is very difficult. We tend to either be doormats or to be belligerent. The Christian road isn't in the middle, it's neither of those. It is right behavior, right words no matter the circumstance, yet still standing up for what is right.
Purity is moral purity, not reacting in anger or vengeance. But still standing for justice and righteousness.
Knowledge is not secret knowledge like the Gnostics seek. It is simply knowing the gospel and scriptures so that one is able both to live it and to answer according to it.
Patience should need no explanation. But one cannot maintain purity during hardship without it.
Kindness is natural when one actually loves others as oneself.
"In Holy Spirit" seems not to fit, especially in the middle of a list of positive attributes. (It does fit poetically.) While most translators take this to mean the Holy Spirit, that is not clear in the Greek text. It could mean we operate in a spirit of holiness. But this is likely referring to operating in the gifting and power of the Holy Spirit.
Love is the greatest fruit of the Spirit. In love, for God and others, it is easy to operate with Christian attitudes and responses.
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7
in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
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Here Paul shifts from Christian attitudes to Christian actions.
The word of truth is the gospel, scripture, and the reality of God.
The power of God is how we operate as we are but imperfect humans of limited understanding. It is not our eloquence, but His.
Weapons of righteousness is a military metaphor like Ephesians 6:10-18. Weapons are first and foremost to ensure the survival of the bearer, (especially at this time in history.) A sword blocks attack more than it attacks. But, of course, to win the fight it must also attack.
There is some debate about what is being referenced to in having weapons for both hands. However, a soldier in combat does not only use one hand or he would be easily defeated. A shield is a defensive weapon, but still capable of doing damage to the enemy. Whether the picture is of a sword and shield, two swords, or something else, it is likely that this refers to being fully engaged, not half-heartedly or half way in. The half-hearted warrior will end up a dead warrior.
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8
by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
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Now Paul shifts to the reactions of others. These are contrasts of good and bad reactions, with the good reflecting positively on the Christian and the bad being attacks. Regardless of how others react a Christian is faithful, caring about God's opinion, not man's. And in the context of verse 6, reacts to bad and good with love. This is very difficult when the natural, (that is in the fleshly,) response to slander behind our backs is anger.
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9
as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
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Unknown is agnooumenoi in Greek, which is probably better translated as ignored in this context and considering Paul's status. He was famous as Saul of Tarsus, and even more so after his conversion. But his was dismissed by those that disagreed, were jealous, or opposed the gospel. It's like today when someone who agrees with everything a politician stands for, but still dismisses them because they are in the opposing party or the politician isn't from the right background.
Dying and yet living does relate to Paul's experience where he lived under the threat of death and even several attempts. But this is more likely referring to dying to self and living for Christ.
Punished is better translated as disciplined, particularly by God. But punished conveys a possible meaning in the intent of the attacks against him both physical and verbal.
Psalm 118:17-18 I will not die, but live,
And tell of the works of the Lord.
The Lord has disciplined me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.
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10
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
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Paul, like us is human. He does feel sorrow when facing adversity. However, he is always rejoicing. Joy and sorrow are not mutually exclusive. We are not one-dimensional beings incapable of contrasting feelings and reactions. Paul viewed adversity as opportunity, like in Acts 16:16-40.
The poor and rich is not about money, although it is easy to make that connection to Paul's life, especially considering the word play of the next phrase. It was never Paul's intention nor was it a result that he made others rich monetarily. This is poor and rich in spirit. Because of the hardships that brought his spirit low, countless others were made rich in spirit.
Playing off the previous phrase, Paul contrasts those who have temporary riches in this world that can be taken away against the sure and eternal riches of one who follows Christ.
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11
Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
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Here Paul shifts back to the specific problems with the Corinthian church.
Literally, Paul says they were with open mouth. This is an idiomatic way of saying that Paul and his team were completely honest, and beyond that, completely open with the Corinthian church. In like manner, so were their hearts with love for them. This is an intimate relationship of great trust.
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12
You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
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The Greek idioms here are difficult to render accurately into English without going on excessively. The most accurate rendering that stays as close to the Greek as possible is the Amplified: "There is no lack of room for you in [our hearts], but you lack room in your own affections [for us]."
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13
Now in a like exchange - I speak as to children - open wide to us also.
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Essentially, Paul is saying that he has to foot stomp this like teaching little children the knowledge they need to pass the test. The call is for the Corinthians to be towards Paul and his team as they were to the Corinthians, going beyond being honest to being completely open, and to treat each other with love.
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Verses 14-18 seem like a digression. But in the context of the letter, it is likely that Paul views this as a major reason for the problem in verses 11-12.
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14
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
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While this does address marriage, it is not just marriage. This also applies to business partnerships and other alliances. It does not refer to an employer/employee relationship or friendship. Those are not an alliance as either party can walk away if the situation interferes with living as a Christian. This is being tangled up legally or publicly with an unbeliever. This would include business partnerships, co-ownerships, and even sharing a position of authority in a private club or entity. Their secular behavior, such as a lack of financial integrity, will both tarnish the reputation of the Christian and pull the Christian away from the proper path.
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15
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
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Belial, (Belair in Greek,) is only used here in scripture. In non-scriptural manuscripts from about 300 B.C. to 70 A.D. Belial is the one who opposes God. This choice instead of Satan is probably because it would have been used in Paul's training as a Pharisee, and his arguments against connecting with unbelievers were similar to midrash debates he engaged in then.
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16
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
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In 2 Kings 21:7 Manasseh put an Asherah pole in the temple, an idol of the fertility god of the the Canaanites and mother of Baal in their beliefs. This was of the many things done that defiled the temple which Josiah corrected in 2 Kings 23. This was viewed by God as an abomination.
Post Messiah, the temple is no longer the structure in Jerusalem, but individual believers. God is in us now as He was in the Holy of Holies before.
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"I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
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17
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"Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord.
"And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
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18
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"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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The quotations are paraphrases of a variety of scriptures. And even though they are snippets, they do convey the meaning of those texts. Here Paul shows how these are fulfilled in the new covenant, and how they reinforce the prohibition of being entangled with unbelievers as well as illustrate the why of it. But also, these are promises of God for us.
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Bible Study - 2 Corinthians Chapter 6