8.2 2nd Corinthians Bible Study Chapter 6–cont.

8.2 2nd Corinthians Bible Study Chapter 6–cont.
We are “workers together with God”–God Himself works through us–and
if we ever get the idea that “we” are doing something in our own strength and then hand our “good deeds” to God as a gift–our efforts will be fruitless. We must NEVER forget where the power comes from. “Without Me ye can do nothing,” Jesus told His disciples.
We are dependent on God as we minister “life-to-life”–from my to yours and from your lives to ours. We are “servants of God”–doulos = “voluntary bond-slaves of Jesus Christ. Aye, and we have a most gracious and generous master! But we do not seek greater comfort and prosperity, but greater endurance.

Paul now gives us nine trials and nine qualities that God produces in His servants, followed by a group of paradoxes for us as Christ’s servants.
Nine trials (in 3 groups of 3) 6:4-5
1. Afflictions, hardships, and distresses–trials and difficulties from which there is no escape.
2. External persecution: beatings, imprisonments, riots
3. Demands of our ministry: labors, sleeplessness, fastings or hunger

Nine qualities God produces in His servants 6:6
. 1. by purity, –righteousness of life & purity of thought
2. by knowledge of God’s Word–control of your mind & spirit in adversity
3. by longsuffering–patient and tolerant with people
4. by kindness = goodness in action; helpful, useful even to those who mistreated him “Let us do good to all”
5. by the Holy Spirit–empowers endurance; filled with the Spirit; had access to the Father through the Holy Spirit; taught by Him; prayed in the Spirit; did not grieve the Spirit or quench Him.
And the Holy Spirit produced in Him
6. Genuine love or sincere love –agape love Romans 5:5 God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
7. by the word of truth–obviously the Scriptures–in this context esp. the truth of the Gospel itself.
8. by the power of God–not with human resources or his own cleverness –only the wisdom and power of God “that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God”
9. by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
Used the armor of God FOR the right hand and the left–fully armed with the whole armor of God Eph. 6

Paradoxes 6:8-10
1. “By glory and dishonor” = praised and despised; exalted & maligned; flattered and criticized; cherished and vilified. Consequently, some will give “an evil report” about you and others will give “a good report.” Those who are faithful to the truth cannot expect all people to speak well of them. Luke 6:26 “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”–slander
2. “Regarded as deceivers and yet true”–as was the Lord Jesus, e.g., John 7:12
“And there was much grumbling among the crowds concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.” Satan is the father of lies and seeks to destroy your reputation.
3. “As dying yet behold we live”: seemingly always on the brink of death
2 Cor. 1:8-10 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: [9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: [10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
4. “As sorrowful yet always rejoicing”–deep unfailing joy from the Lord “always rejoicing” Sometimes people say, “But I don’t feel like rejoicing!” Well, do it anyway! “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice!” That doesn’t mean you “feel happy”! Joy is much deeper than that. Jesus is our example here, too. “Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” but for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame.
5. “As poor yet making many rich”–poor in terms of this world’s possessions; but incredibly rich spiritually. Eternally rich with an eternal inheritance.
2 Cor. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Eph. 3:8 the unsearchable riches of Christ,
1 Peter 1:4. 4. to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
6. “As having nothing and yet possessing all things.” We’re poor, appearing to have nothing, but in reality we possess all the eternal things that really matter. –Don’t feel sorry for us!!
1 Cor. 3:21-23 For all things are yours; [22] Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
–Pastor Burnside