Revelation Series Part 4: The Throne

 https://pathwaytopurityandpower.podbean.com/e/throne-of-heaven-god-reigns-in-revelation-4/

Bible Study 2 Corinthians 6: 1-18

 

A Commentary of the Book of 2 Corinthians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: King James Version

Bible Study 2 Corinthians 6: 1-18

Text:

6 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honour and dishonour, 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 alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. 12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. 13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”

One will observe in the biblical text that the phrase “with him” is italicized, indicating that these two words were supplied by the translators. The correct reading should be, “We then, as workers together.” Regarding receiving the “grace of God in vain,” note that one one can receive the grace of God ineffectually. God has continually bestowed His goodness and mercy upon us. To accept His profound goodness and to find joy in the salvation of God's grace, yet simultaneously to live a life characterized by worldliness and carnality, constitutes receiving the grace of God in vain. This prompts the following inquiry: What is the nature of our current response to the profound love coming from God's heart?

Verse 2: “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

The Bible teaches that when God offers salvation, the wisest response is to act immediately, before the opportunity passes. This "now" refers broadly to the entire gospel age, but more specifically to the very moment an individual receives God's offer of deliverance.

Verse 3: “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:”

To "give no offense" means to live in such a way that your conduct offers no grounds for anyone to discredit the salvation you claim to possess. In essence, your life should not cause others to lose confidence in the faith you profess.

Verse 4: “ but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”

"Approving ourselves" signifies "introducing" oneself, specifically by providing proof. This proof is most convincingly demonstrated through the patient endurance of character, as seen in Paul's hardships and the essence of his ministry.

Verse 5: “ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;”

Paul endured many hardships in his ministry, experiences that few today encounter. Beyond physical "stripes"—forty blows with a rod—he was often hurt by insults, even from people who considered themselves pious. I, too, recall being wounded by the hurtful remark of a "seasoned saint." Once, a woman told me I would cause people to go to hell because I mentioned my martial arts background. I responded, "Ma'am, I don't have the power to save or cast anyone into hell. But, thank you for your generous remarks." Paul's list of familiar trials included imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings, and fastings.

Verse 6: “by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,”

The essential qualities for a minister, as outlined here, emphasize both personal character and professional acumen. Character and Spirit are paramount. Pureness is fundamental, as a lack of moral purity is a significant factor currently undermining the effectiveness of the ministry, making it deeply regrettable when a minister is found morally deficient; purity is of utmost importance to God. Longsuffering, a key manifestation of patience, is a necessary attribute. Kindness is also vital, as people deeply desire a pastor who demonstrates a tender, benevolent interest in their welfare. Finally, the minister must act By the Holy Ghost, making it critical that a preacher attempts to minister only under the guidance and direction of the Spirit of God. In terms of Knowledge and Understanding, Knowledge extends beyond a mere familiarity with the Word of God; a minister should possess a wide range of knowledge and remain current with the times in which they live.

Verse 7: “by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”

A minister should know the Bible, which is the "word of truth." The ability to preach "by the power of God" comes only as a pastor first spends time alone with God. Additionally, a minister must live rightly in all areas, embodying the "armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left."

Verse 8: “by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;”

A balanced ministry is characterized by how it is received: some will approve, and some will disapprove ("By honour and dishonour"). We continue to serve the Lord despite those who speak ill of us ("By evil report"), yet we must be wary of flattery, which is more damaging than criticism. Although some may call us "deceivers," we are, in fact, speaking the true Word of God ("As deceivers, and yet true").

Verse 9: “as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;”

A minister of God might be "unknown" to the world yet is "well known" to God. Paul's statement, "As dying, and, behold, we live," signifies that he had embraced the path of death, but through Christ, he experienced new life. Furthermore, to be "chastened, and not killed" refers to the fact that he frequently endured persecution, including beatings, whippings, and stonings, yet he continued to live.

Verse 10: “as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

The Apostle Paul's life and ministry, as described in this passage, embodied striking paradoxes. His sorrow stemmed from the people's sins and rejection of the Gospel, yet his heart was always filled with rejoicing in Christ. He was "poor," but through his ministry, he was "making many rich." A cautionary note is given: a minister who becomes personally wealthy is a cause for suspicion, as those in ministry are not intended to become rich. Though "having nothing," he actually possessed "all things"—everything in the world, life, death, the present, and the future. This ultimate richness is affirmed by the truth: "...All are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s"—indicating the immense spiritual wealth believers possess, even while remaining poor in the world's eyes.

Verse 11: “O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.”

In this letter, Paul shares his deepest emotions more openly than in any other. His declaration that his "heart is enlarged" is a powerful expression of his profound love for the recipients.

Verse 12: “ Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.”

The apostle's heart was overflowing with love for them, which is why he spoke to them so openly with gentle guidance and encouragement. He assures them, "Ye are not straitened in us,"; he genuinely desired to serve them and boost their comfort as a helper of their faith and joy. If they felt otherwise, the problem lay with them—it was because they were " ye are straitened in your own bowels," failing to respond appropriately due to misunderstandings about him. All he asked in return was a reciprocal affection, the love children should have for their father. This emphasizes a key point: a mutual, positive affection between ministers and their people is vital for both their shared comfort and spiritual benefit.

Verse 13: “Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.”

Paul's desire was for the Corinthians, whom he addressed as his children, to fully open their hearts to him and his teachings. He urged them to be receptive and embrace his instructions.

Verse 14: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

Paul addresses the concept of being "yoked together" in a permanent commitment such as marriage, a business partnership, an academic professorship, or church membership. This verse does not pertain to supporting an evangelistic endeavor. Many ministers conduct their ministries differently than I do—and some have achieved a level of success far exceeding mine, which might suggest the correctness of their approach and the error of my own. While I am personally convinced of the validity of my current methodology and intend to maintain it, this conviction will not preclude me from maintaining fellowship with colleagues whose methods differ slightly, provided they proclaim the same Gospel and uphold the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Paul's subsequent elaboration clarifies that the focus is on refraining from forming binding associations with unbelievers.

Verse 15: “and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

Satan is also referred to as "Belial." “Concord” means harmony.

Verse 16: “and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

God's presence, or dwelling place, has evolved throughout history. In the Old Testament, God resided with His people first in the tabernacle, and later in the temple built by Solomon. When Jesus Christ came, He was the ultimate and true temple of God. Now, under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit lives within believers, making them the new temple of God. This fulfills the Old Testament promise that God would dwell among His people (referencing Leviticus 26:11-12) for those who place their trust in Christ.

Verse 17: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

The command for separation, primarily drawn from Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34 (with altered phrasing), specifically targets unbelievers. It is crucial to understand that these verses do not advocate for separation from fellow believers over non-essential differences, such as modes of baptism or choice of Bible translation. As the old saying goes, one must discern which issues are "a hill I am willing to die on." Compromise is unacceptable when the matter directly concerns salvation.

Verse 18: “and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

Paul links the fulfillment of several Old Testament promises of God’s presence and favor directly to Christians' decision to separate themselves from moral impurity. Choosing to abandon moral defilement in order to receive the presence of the living God is presented as a wise and highly desirable choice.

Christ Our Refuge

 

Christ Our Refuge

Scripture

“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” — Psalm 9:9

Personal Reflection

Every person seeks refuge somewhere. Some run to money, others to relationships, entertainment, or worldly comforts. Yet all earthly refuges eventually fail. Only Christ remains a perfect and eternal shelter for the soul.

The storms of life expose the weakness of worldly security. Health fails, finances fluctuate, and human strength fades. But Christ remains unchanged. He is the believer’s hiding place, fortress, and refuge. To flee to Christ is not weakness—it is wisdom.

David understood this deeply. Surrounded by enemies, betrayal, and hardship, he repeatedly described God as his refuge. He learned that true safety is not found in favorable circumstances, but in God Himself.

The believer who hides in Christ finds stability amid uncertainty. Though the storm may continue externally, the soul rests securely in Him. Christ is sufficient for every trial, every fear, and every sorrow.

Contemplation

Martin Luther wrote, “A mighty fortress is our God.”
Where do you run first when storms arise?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, be my refuge and shelter in every season of trouble.

Application

When fear or anxiety arises today, immediately turn to Christ in prayer rather than to worldly distractions.

Waiting on the Lord

 

Waiting on the Lord

Scripture

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31

Personal Reflection

Waiting is one of the hardest disciplines of faith because it requires patience, trust, and surrender. The human heart desires immediate answers, immediate relief, and immediate resolution. Yet God often works slowly according to His perfect timing rather than our preferences.

Waiting does not mean inactivity; it means trusting God while continuing faithfully in obedience. The believer who waits upon the Lord learns dependence. He discovers that spiritual strength is renewed not through frantic striving, but through quiet confidence in God.

Abraham waited for the promised son. Joseph waited in prison. David waited while fleeing from Saul. Even our Lord waited upon the Father’s timing. Waiting is woven throughout the Christian life because it teaches the soul to trust God rather than circumstances.

Contemplation

Andrew Murray wrote, “Waiting on God is not laziness; it is the highest expression of faith.”
Are you trying to force God’s timing—or learning to wait patiently upon Him?

Prayer

Lord, help me trust Your timing and wait upon You with patience and faith.

Application

Before making an impulsive decision today, pause and seek God in prayer first.

Strength Through Weakness

 

Strength Through Weakness

Scripture

“For when I am weak, then am I strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:10

Personal Reflection

Human weakness is not an obstacle to God’s work—it is often the very means through which His power is displayed most clearly. The Apostle Paul learned this through painful experience. Though he pleaded with God to remove his “thorn in the flesh,” the Lord responded, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

The believer naturally resists weakness. We prefer strength, control, and independence. Yet God frequently allows weakness so that we will cease depending upon ourselves and lean entirely upon Him. Self-reliance must die if spiritual strength is to grow.

Storms expose human frailty. They reveal how little control we truly possess. Yet in those very moments, the believer discovers the sufficiency of God’s grace. Divine strength sustains where human ability fails.

Contemplation

John Newton wrote, “Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes.”
Are you resisting weakness—or allowing God to display His strength through it?

Prayer

Lord, teach me to depend upon Your strength instead of my own abilities.

Application

In an area where you feel weak today, deliberately pray and rely upon God rather than yourself.

The Mercy of God

 

The Mercy of God

Scripture

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” — Lamentations 3:22

Personal Reflection

Every moment of the believer’s life is sustained by the mercy of God. We often think of mercy only in relation to salvation, but mercy surrounds us daily. Every breath we take, every provision we receive, every answered prayer, and every protection from danger are evidences of divine mercy.

Jeremiah wrote these words while surrounded by devastation and sorrow. Jerusalem had fallen, judgment had come, and suffering filled the land. Yet in the middle of profound grief, the prophet remembered the steadfast mercies of God. This teaches us that mercy is not absent during hardship—it is often most visible there.

The believer deserves condemnation because of sin, yet God extends compassion instead of judgment. His mercy is constant, inexhaustible, and undeserved. Even the trials we endure are mingled with mercy, for God tempers affliction with grace and uses suffering for our good.

Contemplation

Thomas Goodwin wrote, “There is more mercy in Christ than misery in us.”
Do you recognize the mercies of God surrounding your life each day?

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to see Your mercy in both blessings and trials.

Application

Write down three specific mercies from God that you experienced today and thank Him for them.

Peace in the Storm

 

Peace in the Storm

Scripture

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”— John 14:27

Personal Reflection

The peace Christ gives His people is unlike anything the world can offer. Worldly peace depends upon favorable circumstances, financial stability, physical health, or the absence of conflict. But Christ’s peace remains steady even when storms rage. It is a supernatural calm rooted not in circumstances, but in the presence and promises of God.

The disciples heard these words from Christ on the eve of His crucifixion. Trouble was approaching rapidly. Fear, confusion, and sorrow would soon overwhelm them. Yet Christ promised peace in the midst of coming chaos. This teaches us an important truth: divine peace is not the absence of storms, but the presence of Christ within them.

Many believers struggle because they seek peace through control of circumstances rather than through surrender to God. But the heart cannot rest until it rests fully in Him. The believer who trusts God’s sovereignty, submits to His providence, and meditates upon His promises will experience peace even amid uncertainty.

Contemplation

John Flavel wrote, “The soul is never truly at rest until it rests in Christ.”
Are you seeking peace through outward control—or inward trust in Christ?

Prayer

Lord, quiet my anxious heart and fill me with the peace that only You can give.

Application

When anxiety rises today, stop and meditate on one promise of God before reacting emotionally.