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2
Corinthians Chapter Six
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Minister Who
Beseeches Man to Be Reconciled to God
A. Plead with men to catch the acceptable time
(v.1-2);
B. Commend oneself as
a minister of God (v.3-13):
1. Everything is for the purpose of fulfilling
the ministry of reconciliation (v.3
2. In suffering the tribulations ---- from patience to tumults (v.4b
3. In morality ---- from labors to kindness
(v.5b
4. In the armor of war ---- from the Holy Spirit to the armor of righteousness (v.6b-7);
5. In actions that are seemingly paradoxical
(v.8-10);
6. The is wide open heart (v.11-13);
C. Teachings relevant to reconciliation to God (v.14-18):
1. That is of God should not be mixed with that
is of the devil (v.14
2. God only accepts that which has been
separated unto Him (v.16b-18).
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
2Cor. 6:1 “We then
as workers
together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”
YLT: “And working together also we call upon that ye receive
not in vain the grace of God --”
Meaning of Words: “workers together with Him”: be a fellow-worker
cooperate
help (work) with;
“in vain”: empty;
Literal
Meaning: “we then
as workers together
with Him”
not only Paul
has been entrusted by God to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation (see
5:18-20) but also is he the fellow-worker of God (1Cor. 3:9).
“Also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain”
the grace of God is
not some irrelevant enjoyment outside of Him but the personal experience that
He Himself is our full provision. Therefore
His grace always brings us back to
Himself. “Not to receive the grace of God in vain”
it means that we shall neither depart from God Himself nor fall into a
condition that is unacceptable by Him (see v.2
17).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who works together with God can do nothing until God starts to work.
It is not by gifts or power
but by living with God.
2) If God pleads with men
we will also plead
with them. Once we have entered into the feeling of God
His desire will become
our desire. This is to be workers together with Him.
3)
Paul exhorts
believers as a worker together with God. Therefore
his exhortation is also
that of God
and we shall receive it in a humble spirit.
4)
If Christians only
live to himself
he has just received the grace of God in vain. All those who
have really known the grace of God will commit themselves unto God willingly.
2Cor. 6:2 “For He says: "In an
acceptable time I have heard you
And in the day of salvation I have helped
you." Behold
now is the accepted time; behold
now is the day of
salvation.”
YLT: “for He saith
`In an acceptable time I did hear thee
and in a day of salvation I did help thee
lo
now a well-accepted time; lo
now
a day of salvation
' --”
Literal
Meaning: “for He says”
the following words are quoted from the Book of Isaiah (Is.49:8)
“"In an acceptable time I have heard you
And in the
day of salvation I have helped you."”
“Have heard”: to help
immediately after hearing…; here
it prophesies that Jehovah shall send His
“great servant” to release the captives so that they can return. This promise
of God has been fulfilled in Christ.
“Behold
now is the accepted time; behold
now is the day
of salvation.” ---- Here
“accepted” means being reconciled to God (see
5:18-20); “salvation”: be delivered from sins and become the
righteousness of God in Christ (see 5:21).
Here
the apostle Paul quotes the scriptures
in the Old Testament to exhort believers in Corinth not to miss such grace (see
Heb. 3:12-15)
or give up the faith
or forsake the lifestyle of Christians to
follow the customs of infidels
or receive another gospel (see 11:4) to sin
against God in
the acceptable time.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Behold
now is the accepted time; behold
now is the day of
salvation.” The age we are in
is just the age in which God accepts and saves men. The gracious door and
loving way of God are open now
so we shall do our utmost to preach the gospel
lest no one can receive the salvation after this age.
2) “Now is the accepted time; behold
now is the day of
salvation.” ---- It also
indicates that today it is the age of grace and the provision of Christ’s grace
should be the primary principle.
3)
“Time” and “day”
show that there is a timely period of receiving the grace. The opportunity is
fleeting. We have only “now” and “today”
for yesterday has already passed away
and tomorrow is not in our hands.
4)
One shall not think
the day of salvation is past
and yet now it is. God stills waits for men to
draw near Him. We believers shall catch the opportunities to draw near God and
plead with men to be reconciled to God.
2Cor. 6:3 “We give no offense in
anything
that our ministry may not be blamed.”
YLT: “in nothing giving any cause of offence
that the
ministration may be not blamed
”
Meaning of Words: “offense”: cause of
stumbling; “blame”: censure
discredit
crap at;
Literal
Meaning: “we give no offense in
anything”
“give
no offense”: do not give any
stumbling to men;
“That our ministry may not be blamed”
“ministry” refers to the ministry of reconciliation (see
5:18)
namely
the ministry of the New Testament (see 3:8-9; 4:1). “Be blamed”:
be picked fault;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The condition that is not amenable to reason
should be avoided or in any case so as not to hinder men from believing the
Lord or leave anything that may easily cause attack or slander.
2) Those who serve God should not only be
faithful in works but also take heed of their own testimonies in life. If one
desires to obtain remarkable effect in his ministration
he should not have any
breach in his life. If he has
he may bring loss to the Lord’s works.
3) He who serves the Lord should not have any
leak in his life. It is more important than his academic degree or knowledge.
If he becomes a snare to others in life
he will also be blamed by others in
service.
2Cor. 6:4 “But in all things we
commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience
in tribulations
in
needs
in distresses
”
YLT: “but in everything recommending ourselves as God's
ministrants; in much patience
in tribulations
in necessities
in distresses
”
Meaning of Words: “all things”: everything; “commend”:
approve
stand near
exhibit; “minister”: attendant
deacon
servant; “much”:
altogether
abundant
plenteous; “patience”: cheerful
endurance
constancy; “distresses”: calamity
narrowness of room
anguish;
Literal
Meaning: “but in all things we commend
ourselves as ministers of God”
“all things”:
various environments and conditions that we are faced with; “ministers of God”: workers or servants of God; “commend ourselves as
ministers of God”: to show that they
are worthy of the servants of God.
The servants of God in every situation can not only endure and deal with
the bad condition but also fulfill the ministry that God entrusts to them by
seizing the opportunities in every condition.
“In much patience
in tribulations
in needs
in distresses”
“much patience”: it lays particular stress on the response to
man’s oppression; patience shows man’s strength and capacity toward pressure.
Though he is often oppressed or persecuted by others
he has strength to endure
it without being defeated.
“Tribulations”:
it especially refers to the practical difficulty brought by the environment;
the true servants of God can not only experience tribulations without losing
heart (see 4:8) but also have strength to comfort others (see 1:6).
“Needs”: it puts emphasis
on the shortage in materials; though the workers of God may be too impoverished
to keep alive
they can still trust in God;
“Distresses”: be in a dilemma
just like the beast snared in the trap. Though the workers of God seem to have
no way around
God is their way.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The true “minister of God” will “manifest”
the testimony of Christ “in every thing”; “in much patience…until verse ten”
which sum up to
twenty-eight aspects. These are true marks of God’s servants as well as God’s
requests to them. Therefore
we can measure our spiritual conditions.
2) Whether we are God’s servants is not
depended on our experience or eloquence
but our testimony in life. In fact
the servants of God themselves are a testimony.
3) The witness borne by others to us may not be
true
and the witness that we ourselves bear orally may also be false. However
our responses
actions and attitudes in various situations have vividly
manifested our real conditions.
4) Difficulties can more commend one is the
servant of God. The minister of God should work together with God through life
(not through gifts). Only the life that has undergone the cross and become as
perfect and mature as the Lord can make man more than conquer when dealing with
various conditions.
5) A minister of God should experience strict
training in his body
soul and spirit so then the particular quality of life of
God’s servant will be manifested. If the stature and fullness of the cross of
Christ cannot be seen from the life reality of God’s servants
they cannot be
called God’s servants.
6) The ministers of God cannot be distracted by
things irrelevant to them. Though much pressure is upon them
their hearts
toward God are immutable.
7) The way of the servants of God is the
manifestation of the cross. They do not escape difficulties and yet manifest
the Lord’s life and disposition in difficulties.
8) All endurance is the proof of the apostle
(see 12:12). If the workers of the Lord cannot overcome slight oppression or
persecution at all
they have to pray to the Lord for sufficient grace to
receive endurance.
9) There may be often problems among brothers
and sisters in the church. The solution is endurance. He who can endure can
provide life.
10) Tribulations can produce endurance
and
endurance can be manifested in tribulations. Both of them always appear
simultaneously (see Rom. 5:3). Needs and distresses are blessings of God as
well as the marks of God’s ministers’ life.
2Cor. 6:5 “in stripes
in
imprisonments
in tumults
in labors
in sleeplessness
in fastings;”
YLT: “in stripes
in imprisonments
in insurrections
in
labours
in watchings
in fastings
”
Meaning of Words: “fastings”: lack of food;
Literal
Meaning: “stripes
imprisonments
tumults”
these three points
together with the
above-mentioned four points
are in relation with tribulations. Those which are
mentioned in the previous verse ---- “patience
tribulations
needs and distresses”
---- are general tribulations. And “stripes
imprisonments and tumults” in this
verse are tribulations caused by others.
Paul is often “stripped” (see 11:23-24) but of no complaint and is often
“imprisoned” but still sings praises unto God (see Acts 16:25) and suffers
tumults and yet not fear (see Acts 19:30).
“In
labors
in sleeplessness
in fastings”
these three points together with the first four points of the next verse relate
to moral characters or perseverance; “labor”: the state of working unceasingly;
“sleeplessness”: the state of having no sleep; “fasting”: the state of being
hungry;
These three points are originally negative experience
but Paul changes
them into virtues positively: 1) he had to work in order to make a living (see
Acts 18:3)
but he changed the labor into helping others; 2) (see 11:27); 3)
(see 11:27);
Labors
sleeplessness
fastings are especially in relation to our body.
A minister of God should buffet his body and leads it captive (see 1Cor. 9:27)
so he can serve God freely with a ready body.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The outside
tribulations often manifest our inner heart. When the apostles were beaten
they rejoiced
for they were counted worthy to be dishonored for the name (see
Acts 5:40-41).
2)
The life of the one
who overcomes every difficulty by God must be quiet rich and meaningful.
3)
Though bodily
exercise is profitable for a little
it has its profit after all. If the bodies
of the Lord’s workers are not strong enough
it will be difficult for them to
deal with the various conditions in this verse. Therefore
physical exercise
shall also not be ignored.
4) The ministers of God have incomparable
perseverance that can make the terrible environment produce positive effect
(see 1Cor. 4:12-13). It is not “resigning oneself to adversity”
but
“overcoming evil with good” (see Rom. 12:21).
2Cor. 6:6 “by purity
by knowledge
by
longsuffering
by kindness
by the Holy Spirit
by sincere love
”
YLT: “in pureness
in knowledge
in long-suffering
in
kindness
in the Holy Spirit
in love unfeigned
”
Meaning of Words: “purity”: cleanness
blamelessness
pureness; “longsuffering”: forbearance
patience; “sincere”: undissembled;
Literal
Meaning: “by purity
by knowledge
by
longsuffering
by kindness”
“purity” refers to the state of being not covetous;
“knowledge”: the state of being not ignorant; “longsuffering”: the state of being patient; “pureness”: the
state of being not harsh;
Purity relates to our conscience
and knowledge to our mind
and
longsuffering to our will
and kindness to our emotion. Conscience
between the
spirit and the soul
is a part of the function of the spirit
and is also in
connection with man’s heart. And mind
will and emotion are three functions of
soul. The soul of God’s workers should be renewed and transformed unto a degree
that all of them will be functioned in the divine service.
“By the Holy Spirit
by sincere love”
the following five points relate to the
armors of war. “The Holy Spirit”: the working of the Spirit of God (see 1Cor.
10:11)
or the cooperation of man’s spirit that is regenerated; it is indeed
that the works of God cannot be done without the Holy Spirit
and man’s service
in spirit is also indispensable (see Rom. 1:9).
The first four points in this verse have
relations with the exercise of the “soul” of God’s workers. And “the Holy
Spirit” relates to the exercise of the “spirit” of God’s workers. The workers
of God should be sanctified and live in holiness without blemishes so as to
keep their spirits.
“Sincere love”
it refers to the true love
(see 2John1; John see 1); there are two meanings: 1) let us not love with word
nor with tongue
but in deed and in truth (see 1John 3:18); 2) the true love of
believers is “for the truth's sake” (see 2John 2). Those who do not keep the
truth are unworthy of being loved.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The heart of God’s minister should be pure
and clean ---- please God only;
2) All the valuable things can be fulfilled
through longsuffering
e.g. children- bearing. He who does the planting work or
fulfills the ministry of reconciliation needs more longsuffering.
3) The Lord must work with the true servants of
God (see Mark 16:20). And the Lord often works with men in Spirit and touches
men in Spirit so that men will turn to Him (see John 16:7-8).
4) The life of the ministers of God often makes
their bodies painful and their souls afflicted
but their spirits are hallowed
unto God. Thus
the spirit
soul and body are wholesome so as to perform their
functions.
5) The life of the one who serves the Lord
should not be mixed with any unrighteousness. It is not the impression of
others on him or the apparent impression given to others
but the reality in
life that counts.
6) Before pleading with men to be reconciled to
God
the minister himself should be completely reconciled to God unto the union
with God. The life and disposition fill in man so sufficiently that all his
mind
emotion and will can perfectly manifest the greatness of God.
2Cor. 6:7 “by the word of truth
by
the power of God
by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the
left
”
YLT: “in the word of truth
in the power of God
through the
armour of the righteousness
on the right and on the left
”
Literal
Meaning: “the word of
truth”: the word of God
which is the sword of the Spirit (see Eph. 6:17; Heb.
4:12);
“The power of God”
the power of God is great and infinite
but can
only enjoy and manifest God’s power in faith (see Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:19).
“The armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the
left”
“armor”: the sharp weapon (see Eph.
6:13-17);
“On the right hand and on the left”
weapons on the right hand
such as sword
are offensive weapons; and weapons on the left hand are defensive ones.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is of rich significance that Paul mentions
“the word of
truth” and “the
power of God” together. Man’s
love may often too “excessive” or “too narrow”. Man may either keep the truth
without love (see Eph. 4:15) or love without considering the truth
and both of
them are wrong.
2) He who serves the Lord shall not only
understand the truth but also be filled with the reality
thus he can proclaim
the truth for God and manifest the reality (see 4:2).
3) Thought the power of God is indescribable
it can be manifested on those who believe Him. Man’s faith is a channel of
God’s power. The measure of faith decides the capacity of God’s power that will
be manifested.
4) The life of God’s ministers for the purpose
of fulfilling their ministries is a kind of life filled with spiritual wars. In
such spiritual wars
they need the armors of righteousness. That is to say
they take the righteousness of God as the sharp battle weapon (see Matt. 5:6
10
20; 6:30).
5) The righteousness of God’s workers
manifested in life is the great armor in spiritual wars. Such righteousness can
be used in both defending the enemy’s attack and attacking frontally.
2Cor. 6:8 “by honor and dishonor
by
evil report and good report; as deceivers
and yet true;”
YLT: “through glory and dishonour
through evil report and
good report
as leading astray
and true;”
Literal
Meaning: “by honor and dishonor”
“honor”: be respected by men ---- it is from God
and those who love God;
“dishonor”: be hindered by
men ---- it is from the devil and its followers;
“By evil report and good report”
“evil report”: be slandered by men ---- it is from the
oppressors and persecutors (see Matt. 5:11); “good report”: be praised by men ---- it is from believers and
those who receive the truth preached and taught by God’s servants.
“As deceivers
and yet true”
“as deceivers”:
it seems to please or deceive men in speaking
especially in the sight of those
who do not believe or those heretics; “and yet true”
it indicates that the motive is true ----
to profit all. Therefore
it is true in the sight of those who love God and
love the truth.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The judgment of the world upon Christians is
always opposite to that of the Lord. What we cherish is the Lord’s judgment
not that of the world.
2) Men’s opinions and judgments are often
wrong. Therefore
men’s views upon us are not important
for what we should
really care for is the “reality” of us.
3) The value of the ministers of the New
Testament is especially manifested through the honor and dishonor given by
those who praise or dispraise them around them. Therefore
the ministers of God
need not care for the hostile slander of the opponents but shall take heed of
their praise.
4) The conducts of God’s ministers are often
beyond understanding. However
such doing is good work for the purpose of
keeping the will of God
not bad work that is dark or shameful.
5) We shall bring all kinds of men to believe
Christ by different means according to the characteristics of them. Sometimes
it seems to be deceitful in the sight of men in the world and yet it is of
perfect sincere motive ---- for the profit of those who hear the gospel.
6) Sometimes
though the servants of God are
apparently as wise as serpents
their hearts are as guileless as the doves ----
sincerely true.
2Cor. 6:9 “as unknown
and yet well
known; as dying
and behold we live; as chastened
and yet not killed;”
YLT: “as unknown
and recognized; as dying
and lo
we live;
as chastened
and not put to death;”
Literal
Meaning: “as unknown
and yet well
known”
“as unknown”
it refers to the aspect of not showing
off oneself; “and yet well known”
it relates to the aspect of testifying the truth
of God.
“As dying
and behold we live”
“as dying”: be in danger of
persecution or death (see 1:8-10; 4:11; 1Cor. 15:31); “and
behold we live: experience the
salvation of God and the risen life of the Lord (se 1:9-10; 4:10-11);
“As chastened
and yet not killed”
“as chastened”:
it seems to be as chastened according to the superficial knowledge of the
opponents; “and
yet not killed”: still live under
the sovereignty of God;
2Cor. 6:10 “as sorrowful
yet always
rejoicing; as poor
yet making many rich; as having nothing
and yet possessing
all things.”
YLT: “as sorrowful
and always rejoicing; as poor
and making
many rich; as having nothing
and possessing all things.”
Literal
Meaning: “as sorrowful
yet always
rejoicing”
“as sorrowful”: the sorrow or grief because of entering
into the feeling of God
including the sins or failure of one himself
the
divisions or destitution in the church
the wickedness or corruption of the
world
the blindness of men in the world ---- each one makes him sorrowful (see
Matt. 5:4);
“Yet
always rejoicing”: rejoice in the
Lord (see Phil. 4:4).
“As poor
yet making many rich”
“as poor”: not abundant in
material enjoyment;
“yet making many rich”: be able to provide many people abundantly in
spirit (see Eph. 3:8);
“As having nothing
and yet possessing all things”
“as having nothing”
it seems to be of
vanity from the fleshly perspective (Eccl. 1:2); “and yet possessing all things”
and yet everything is preserved in the
heavens from
the spiritual perspective (see Matt. 6:20; 19:21; Col. 1:5; 1Pet. 1:4).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “As sorrowful
yet always rejoicing”
sorrow and joy are opposite
and yet often
appear and exist simultaneously in the experience of Christians. Even though
the outside experience often makes us sorrowful
once we return to the spirit
and touch the Lord
we will be filled with joy. Oh
what amazing experience
that is beyond understanding to men of the world!
2) Though the life of God’s servants is full of
difficulties and vexations in the sight of men
they have entered into the
reality of life that rejoices in God. God is their aim
their strength
as well
as their joy and rest.
3) Though the one who believes God is poor
he
can still give in God at any time what he has to others so as to make them
rich. Moreover
he also prays in faith to obtain the timely provision of God.
Therefore
he seems to have nothing
and yet possesses
all things.
4) The word “as” that appears for seven times
from verse eight to ten in this chapter and the word “but” appearing four times
from verse eight to nine in chapter four have shown the paradoxical condition
in Christians as well as the paradox of Christ Himself. This is exactly the
condition that God’s disposition and man’s humanity appear in turn. How amazing
and how true!
5) The life of God’s servants can be called
“the life that adapts to all”
for they live by God’s life “which is a life
that adapts to all”.
2Cor. 6:11 “O Corinthians! We have
spoken openly to you
our heart is wide open.”
YLT: “Our mouth hath been open unto you
O Corinthians
our
heart hath been enlarged!”
Literal
Meaning: “we have spoken openly to you”
it means that one
speaks frankly and sincerely ---- hold back nothing of what is profitable (see
Acts 20:20
27); speak every word that should be uttered without any
reservation.
“Our heart is wide open”
it means that
one’s heart is so broad and mind is so wide that he can reserve all believers
and forgive their ignorance and infantility.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If God’s servants desire to bring the
believers who have gone astray to be reconciled to God
they need open mouth
and wide heart. The open mouth declares the will of God and the wide heart
tolerates all those who are of God.
2) The principle of Christians’ fellowship is
that they have a wide heart toward one another. Men who have not gone against
the truth and everyone or everything that has nothing to do with sins should be
accepted in a wide heart. All those who serve the Lord should be able to
tolerate and forgive others.
2Cor. 6:12 “You are not restricted by
us
but you are restricted by your own affections.”
YLT: “ye are not straitened in us
and ye are straitened in
your bowels
”
Literal
Meaning: “you are not restricted by us”
it indicates that
the restricted situation of believers in
“But you are restricted by your own affections”
it indicates that they are
still infantile in spirit and still as fleshly as babes in Christ (see 1Cor.
3:1). Therefore
they are too restricted to bear others.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He that is “restricted” may expel the one
who is “magnanimous”. And yet he who is “wide” can accept the one who is
“restricted” (v.11). It depends on the magnanimity of
Christians.
2) Generally speaking
the natural mind of man
is too narrow to bear the criticism
opposition or misunderstandings of others.
No matter the dissatisfaction or hostility between one another
or the shortage
of the spirit of fellowship
it is caused by the narrow mind.
3) He who desires to have a wide heart should
be grown up and become mature in life. The infantile spirit must be manifested
in the narrow heart.
2Cor. 6:13 “Now in return for the same
(I speak as to children)
you also be open.”
YLT: “and a recompense of the same kind
(as to children I
say
) be ye enlarged -- also ye!”
Literal
Meaning: “now in return for the same
you also be open”
“for the same”
it refers to the example that Paul’s heart is wide toward them (see v.11); “in
return”: recompense;
“I
speak as to children”
it shows that: 1)
Paul thinks believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who is reconciled to God must be
reconciled to believers. And reconciliation among believers is treating one
another with wide hearts.
2) We should treat others with a magnanimous
heart so that in return for the same they will be also wide.
3) The servants of the Lord should have the
spirit of the father. Man’s heart can be mostly easily gained in true love
for
only the true love shed from one’s inner heart can touch others.
2Cor. 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked together
with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And
what communion has light with darkness?”
YLT: “Become not yoked with others -- unbelievers
for what
partaking to righteousness and lawlessness?”
Meaning of Words: “be unequally yoked together with”: yoke up differently
associate
discordantly; “lawlessness”: illegality
transgression; “felowship”:
intercourse; “communion”: partnership
participation
share;
Literal
Meaning: “do not be unequally yoked
together with unbelievers”
“unequally”: the
different sorts can not be mixed up together. Believers and unbelievers are of
different sorts ---- their life and disposition and positions before God are
entirely different. “Not
be unequally yoked together”
in the Old
Testament
it is clearly declared that two different kinds of animals cannot be
yoked together with each other (Deut. 22:10)
for their different natures may
produce disorder. It seems that God here especially teaches his people not to
be yoked with the Gentiles together through this commandment.
“Do not
be unequally yoked together with unbelievers”. ---- This is a general principle
according
to which Paul lists the following five questions to explain it.
“For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?” “Righteousness”: it indicates that those
who have believed the Lord are righteous ---- since they have known Christ the
righteous (1John 2:1)
they have become the righteousness of God in Him and thus stand in the side of righteousness.
“Lawlessness”: it means that those who do not believe the Lord are unrighteous
in the sight of God (see Rom. 1:18; 1Cor. 6:1). Believers and unbelievers have
no partnership and share nothing.
“And
what communion has light with darkness?” “Light”: it suggests that believers of the Lord
are children of light (Eph. 5:8)
who have the nature of light and the light of
the world (Matt. 5:14). “Darkness”: it means that the unbelievers of the Lord
(see John 1:5) do not love light but love darkness (John 3:19) and abide in
darkness and walk in darkness (John 12:35
36). Believers and unbelievers have
no fellowship or intercourse.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Since there are fundamental differences in
belief and life purpose of believers and unbelievers
they are definitely
unable to be yoked together. If they are forced to be yoked together
there
must be sorrow.
2) “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers”. It clearly tells us
that it goes against the word of God if a Christian marries an unbeliever or
has partnership with unbelievers in business. This is because the life in both
of them is thoroughly different. If they insist on being jointed together
there must be difficulties later.
3) Believers should not be unequally yoked together with
unbelievers in not only
marriage or business but also in all the intimately cooperative relations.
4) It is the will of God that believers should
not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. If we have really been
reconciled to God
we shall not disobey His will to hurt Him.
5) Believers and unbelievers walk toward
diverse directions ---- one is towards the heavens and the other is toward the
world; the former desires spiritual blessings
and the other desires the riches
of the world. How can such men that are of different camps go forward with one
accord together?
6) Believers and unbelievers are different in
opinions
thoughts
moral standard and judgment ---- they are different in all
things. If they are unequally yoked together
the yoke will be broken or the
believer will be harmfully affected by the unbeliever
for the unbeliever is
harder to be affected by the believer.
7) The nature of the life of believers and
unbelievers are entirely different
just like water and oil that cannot be
mixed together. Today
the so-called “Oneness Movement” in the church has gone
beyond the sphere of believers and has included unbelievers. It has disobeyed
the teachings of the Scriptures and we believers should not echo it.
8) “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?” Even though those who are quite morally
good do not know what is righteousness. Believers should not profit at others'
expense even in the smallest thing. The opinions on righteousness and
lawlessness of believers and unbelievers are totally different. If they are
yoked together
contradictions are unavoidable. Only when those who are
righteous have become lawless
they can have fellowship with those who are of
lawlessness.
9) “And what communion has light with darkness?” If a child of God who is deeply spiritual
meets another carnal one
he will find it difficult to have fellowship with
him
let alone a man of the world who totally lives in darkness and sees no
light. A believer who has been shone by the light of God and has been thus
revealed has no communion with those who still live in darkness in philosophy
and outlooks on life.
10) “Disbelieve” is the tool of Satan’s work.
“Lawlessness” is the nature of Satan’s work. And “darkness” is the result of
Satan’s work. The purpose of Satan’s work is making men depart from God and
leaving them in darkness.
11) Here
it does not mean that Christians
can not be in touch with men in the world. And such common relations are not
forbidden in the Scriptures (see 1Cor. 5:10; 1Tim. 3:7; 1Pet. 2:12). However
we shall make use of such relationship to bring them to the Lord (Col. 1:28)
and let them be the disciples of the Lord (Matt. 28:19).
2Cor. 6:15 “And what accord has Christ
with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”
YLT: “and what fellowship to light with darkness? and what
concord to Christ with Belial? or what part to a believer with an unbeliever?”
Meaning of Words: “Belial”: worthlessness
lawlessness
(another name of Satan); “accord”: accordance
concord; “part”: portion
share
participation;
Literal
Meaning: “and what accord has Christ
with Belial?” “Belial”: it refers to the worthlessness or
baseness of Satan. Satan is indeed base. There is no accord of Christ with
Satan.
“Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” Believers have no part with unbelievers.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “And what accord has Christ with Belial?” We Christians are
bought by great price ---- the blood of the Son of God
not by corruptible gold
or silver. We shall keep firm the position of Christians. We have the manner of
Christians. Men in the world are of Belial. They can do base and shameful many
things to profit at others’ expense. However
we Christians are noble
and we
are different.
2) “Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” The former believes
and the latter
disbelieves; the former knows God and latter does not; the former relies on God
and the latter relies on himself. He who believes God says everything is in the
hands of God and yet he who disbelieves says everything is in the hands of man
himself. Different actions are on account of the different objects of faith.
2Cor. 6:16 “And what agreement has the
YLT: “and what agreement to the sanctuary of God with idols?
for ye are a sanctuary of the living God
according as God said -- `I will
dwell in them
and will walk among
and I will be their God
and they shall be
My people
”
Meaning of Words: “agreement”: in company with
accord with;
Literal
Meaning: “and what agreement has the
“For you are the temple of the living God”. “You” refers to
believers as well as the church. On one hand
the body of believer is the
temple of the living God and the Spirit of God abides in the temple (1Cor.
3:16-17). And on the other hand
the church (all believers) is the
“As God has said”
the following words are comprehensively quoted from these places (Ex. 25:8;
29:45-46; Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27-28).
“I will dwell in them And walk among them”. “Them” refer to the
people of God represented by the people of
“I will be their God
And they shall be My people."” Here
“God” and “My people” reveal that it
speaks of the relationship in the kingdom
not in the house of God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “And what agreement has the
2) From verse fourteen to sixteen
it is
indicates that there is no compatibility of Christ with that is not of Christ.
God refuses all that is not of Himself (see Let. 19:19) so as to keep the only
noble position of His Son in the universe. Since the church is the “
3) Our God is a living God. The biggest
difference of Him from the false god is that He does not stand high above the
masses and is separated from those who are of Him. He dwells in and walks among
those who are of Him so that we can touch Him
experience Him and enjoy Him
personally.
4) Do not be deceived by the world. All those
who are of God should be isolated from those who “do not believe”
or
“unrighteous” or “idols”. Since we are the
2Cor. 6:17 “Therefore "Come out
from among them And be separate
says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean
And I will receive you."”
YLT: “wherefore
come ye forth out of the midst of them
and
be separated
saith the Lord
and an unclean thing do not touch
and I -- I
will receive you
”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore”
the following words are quoted from the
Book of Isaiah (52:11; Ezek. 20:34
41).
“"Come out from among them And be separate
says the
Lord”. “Them” originally
refer to the Gentiles
here it refers to unbelievers; Here Paul especially
calls believers in
“Do not touch what is unclean
And I will receive
you."” “What is unclean”: it is what has been listed above ----
things that are of unrighteousness
darkness
Belial and idols;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The testimony of Christians is from the
reality of “separation”. He that is separated from the world has testimony. Man
who is anxious about losing the “chances” of bearing witnesses stoops to
compromise and comes to heel before the world and deliberately weakens the
separation with the world
thus losing the separation as well as the “power” of
bearing witnesses.
2) We who have been saved are the “temple of
the living God”. God will “dwell in” and “walk among” us (v.16). Therefore
we
shall be separated from the Gentiles. In all our conducts
we shall not have
any association with the Gentiles
but shall be sanctified and bear witness to
God.
3) We cannot really turn unto God or be
reconciled to God until when we have been separated from all those men or
things that are not of God.
4) God cannot have fellowship with us if we
have not been separated from the world. Many believers have such a failure of
establishing the relationship with men and yet losing the fellowship with God.
5) Believers should be especially separated
from the worker of the devil (see 2John 10-11). If we are not separated from
them
we cannot be truly united with the Lord.
2Cor. 6:18 “"I will be a Father to
you
And you shall be My sons and daughters
Says the LORD Almighty."”
YLT: “and I will be to you for a Father
and ye -- ye shall
be to Me for sons and daughters
saith the Lord Almighty.'”
Literal
Meaning: “"I will be a Father to
you
And you shall be My sons and daughters”
here the words are quoted from these places
(2Sam. 7:14; Hos. 1:10; Is. 43:6; Jer. 31:9).
“My
sons and daughters”
here Paul does
not use “the children of God”
for here it involves the problem of each
believer
not of the whole believer. Believers in Christ are children of God
without any difference between neither male nor female (Gal. 3:28).
Here
it indicates that if you have been separated from the world for
the sake of God and thus suffer affliction and loss
you shall know God has
accepted you and be you Father. If you are a brother
God has accepted you as
His son. If you are sister
God has accepted you as His daughter. It is
relationship in life that is deeper than that between God and the people of God
(see v.16).
“Says the LORD Almighty."” “The LORD Almighty”
such word in the New Testament appears all in the Book of Revelation except for
this place only. “Almighty” means in the original that a mother provides all
the need of her babies by her breast or milk. Therefore
it is better to be
translated as “All Sufficient”
which means that whatever you need
God is.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The people of God (see v.16) relates to
divine service. And the children of God concerns life and right. Christians are
not only the children of God but also the children of God.
2) Son expresses the strong aspect
and
daughter shows the intimate aspect. We are His sons warring for the
3) “Says the LORD Almighty.” When we have come out from the world and have
been separated from the world
the Lord will accept us and let us have part in
all His sufficiency and fullness.
4) All those who cherish their being accepted
by the Lord are those who have been separated from the world. Many people have
not got the excellency of the knowledge
for they count also all things to be
loss. Once we have forsaken on one side
we will surely receive on the other
side. Only when you have come out from the world
will you taste the sweet
flavor of the Lord.
5) If we suffer loss for the sake of being
seperated from the world
we need not to fear (see Gen. 15:1)
for our God is a
God who is all-mighty and all-sufficient and all-full. He will become our
inheritance and blessing.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
How to Manifest One
is the Minister of God?
A. Seven aspects concerning tribulations:
1. Much patience
(v.4);
2. Tribulations(v.4);
3. Needs (v.4);
4. Distresses (v.4);
5. Stripes (v.5);
6. Imprisonments
(v.5);
7. Tumults (v.5);
B. Seven aspects concerning morality:
1. Labors (v.5);
2. Sleeplessness
(v.5);
3. Fastings (v.5);
4. Purity (v.6);
5. Knowledge (v.6);
6. Longsuffering
(v.6);
7. Kindness (v.6);
C. Five armors concerning war:
1. The Holy Spirit
(v.6);
2. The unfeigned love
(v.6);
3. The word of truth
(v.7);
4. The power of God
(v.7);
5. The armor of righteousness (v.7);
D. Nine paradoxical aspects:
1. Honor and dishonor (v.8);
2. Evil report and good report (v.8);
3. As deceivers
and yet true (v.8);
4. As unknown
and yet well known (v.9);
5. As dying
and behold we live (v.9);
6. As chastened
and yet not killed (v.9);
7. As sorrowful
yet always rejoicing (v.10);
8. As poor
yet making many rich (v.10);
9. As having nothing
and yet possessing all
things (v.10).
To Manifest that One
is the Minister of God in Everything
A. In practical experience ---- in much patience
in
tribulations
in needs
in distresses
(v.4);
B. In environment ---- in stripes
in imprisonments
in
tumults (v.5);
C. In life ---- in labors
in sleeplessness
in
fastings (v.5);
D. In morality ---- by purity
by knowledge
by
longsuffering
by kindness (v.6);
E. In manifestation ---- by the Holy Spirit
by sincere love
by the word of truth
by
the power of God (v.6-7);
F. In testimony ---- by the armor of righteousness on the
right hand and on the left
by honor and dishonor
by evil report and good
report (v.7-8);
G. The real testimony produced as a result
(characteristics) ---- as
deceivers
and yet true; as unknown
and yet well known; as dying
and behold
we live; as chastened
and yet not killed; as sorrowful
yet always rejoicing;
as poor
yet making many rich; as having nothing
and yet possessing all things (v.8-10);
The Conditions of
Being a Minister of God ---- Long-suffering
A. In much patience
---- the great quality of long-suffering (v.4);
B. In the physical tribulations and mental
pressure (v.4-5);
C. In over-laboring
lack of sleep and hunger
(v.5);
D. In spiritual growth and conduct (v.6-7);
E. In carelessness of the reaction (v.8);
F. In the evil treatment and persecution of the
world (v.9);
G. In satisfaction ---- always like this
(v.10);
Paul’s Callings to
Believers
A. The first calling ---- our heart shall be wide open (v.11-13);
B. The second calling ---- do not be unequally yoked
together with unbelievers (v.14-16);
C. The third calling ---- be separated from unbelievers (v.17-18);
D. The fourth calling ---- cleanse oneself and perfect holiness (v.7:1);
Do Not Be Unequally
Yoked Together with Unbelievers
A. The general principle ---- do not be unequally yoked
together with unbelievers (v.14);
B. The first reason ---- righteousness has no fellowship with
lawlessness (v.14);
C. The second reason ---- light has no communion with darkness
(v.14);
D. The third reason ---- Christ has no accord with Belial
(v.15);
E. The fourth reason ---- a believer has no part with
an unbeliever (v.15);
F. The fifth reason ---- the
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou