2 Corinthians 6
This Chapters first two verses started with a plea from apostle Paul to believers.
As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.6.1-2.NLT
From these two verses it is clear that Salvation is a gift and it is some how a partnership with the almighty God.
Salvation was as a result of God sharing and showing his love for us even when we were yet to exist. John 3:16 explains what God did and Amos 3:3 highlights the prerequisites for any partnership so how can you say you are saved if you can't be in agreement with God.
From 2 Corinthians 6:3 Apostle Paul expresses about the way he lived and it is important to note that he mentioned that in a way no one will stumble through him. This is worth reflecting on as a believer how do we live? Can people read Christ or see Christ in my ways or does my way make anyone stumble?
We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.6.3-10.NLT
From verses 3 to 10 of 2 Corinthians 6 Apostle Paul hinted on the struggles the persecution he went through just because he was living for Christ and shining the light of the gospel. In these days we live, we will interpret this to the persecutions real Christians face. Through all the persecutions he lived in joy, although they own no material things but they had everything.
Can we boldly talk about Jesus in the face of continuous persecution?
Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.6.11-13.NLT
Verses 11 to 13 from my understanding appears as though Apostle Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to show them (the Apostles) some love just as they show their children and open their hearts not just to the Apostles but the good news they brought to them.
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.6.14-18.NLT
The last 4 verses of this chapter applies to every believer not just the Corinthians, we are not to join with idols, we are to be separated far from idolatry, idols and idol worshipping of any kind or shape if we regard our bodies and ourselves as the temple of God.
Chapter 7
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.
2 Corinthians 7:1-4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.7.1-4.NLT
This Chapter started with the continuation of Apostle Paul's plea to the Corinthians and to people who are yet to accept the gospel in general.
What I deduce from this verses is the heart of a true leader, a true leader thinks about those he is leading, a true leader serves, a true leader does not judge. As a born again Christian you are a true leader if you are ready to lead unbelievers to Jesus without judging them. You must see past the sin and see the soul that Christ wants you to save to be a true leader. It must and should not just be about what you say but how you say it and you allow light to shine in the darkness.
When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!
2 Corinthians 7:5-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.7.5-7.NLT
Apostle Paul's expressed his joy following the news from Titus of the great work God did, specifically on repentance.
I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
2 Corinthians 7:8-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.7.8-10.NLT
Apostle Paul also expressed how the letter of correction he sent led to the repentance. He mentioned that this kind of sorrow of chastising people you love for the right reason is a godly sorrow that bore no regret because it's not worldly sorrow that lacks repentance and eventually leads to death.
I see a leader that has the best interest of the people who follow him in Apostle Paul. If you have a leader who indulges your sinful nature you need to flee as they represent appearance of evil.
You must be opened to correction and genuine repentance like Titus.
From verses 11 to 16, Apostle Paul explained further his happiness of the repentance of Titus. He also highlighted the fact that correction was not just about highlighting what is wrong and who did the wrong but the end goal is to see yourself as being loyal at the sight of God .
2 Corinthians 8
2 Corinthians 8:1-3 This chapter started with explaining how the Macedonia Churches were poor, yet they gave generosity towards the gospel. They did above what apostle Paul hoped for. He also mentioned how the Church of Macedonia gave themselves to the Lord and to the Apostles as God wanted them to.
These verses encourages us to give ourselves to God not just materially but our whole existence. You may wonder then what will be left of me, your love for God is the ultimate goal for a true believer. When you are a true believer it's not just about you because you have become one with Christ and living for Him will be the forefront decision of your life.
2 Corinthians 8:6-8
Apostle Paul sends praises back to the churches in Macedonia through Titus. I picked positive feedback from a leader to the followers here. If people receive constructive and positive feedback it encourages them to put more effort into what they do. How do you encourage people in your life?
You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.
2 Corinthians 8:9-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.8.9-14.NLT
Verses 9 to 14 explained how Jesus left everything so he can save us, he became poor just for our sakes. Apostle Paul admonished the Macedonia Churches to finish what they started. He also mentioned on how it is good to help other people, he preached on equality slightly.
What I learned from this is being a light in the darkness for people who are in the dungeon situation of life. How do you reach out to people in need, do you look away or reach out to them?
From verses 15 -24 it entails the happiness of Apostle Paul on what Titus had done and through this when Titus was returning back to Macedonia he went with more believers.
Whatever we do, let us remember our reward is in heaven. Titus was a true helper in the ministry of Apostle Paul. If God raised you to help a fellow believer in their ministry and journey of faith do it as on to God not for the clamour of humans because God knows how to rightfully reward you and take you to the highest heights in life.
May God help us in this journey of faith and enlighten us more on how to fulfill our purpose and calling selflessly in Jesus name amen.
Please open your Bible today and study the word of God.
