TRUTH IN LOVE

Up through 2 Cor 5, Paul's tone has varied - sometimes warm, sometimes bold. And as we enter chapter 6 (which we'll tackle in one fell swoop this week), Paul leans on the relational capital he's developed with the Corinthians and begins to challenge them significantly. We might need to hear some similar rebukes today, so let's read 2 Cor 6:1 - 7:1 together ...

2 COR 6:1-2 - the context

1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

• "WE APPEAL" - Paul begins here by "appealing" to the Corinthians. What did Paul just call himself (in 5:20) that gave him the basis to make this appeal?

• "FOR HE SAYS" - Paul begins v 2 with an Old Testament quote from Isaiah 49:8. Take a minute to read Isaiah 49; how does that OT text reflect the tone of 2 Cor 6?

• "NOW IS THE DAY" - Paul presses into this OT verse and applies it to his situation. On what basis can Paul make this kind of application?

2 COR 6:3-10

3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

• "NO OBSTACLE" - Having made a strong appeal to respond to God "today", Paul points to his track record of "smoothing the runway" of their relationship. In past chapters, he unpacked their relational history. Read v 4-10 ... what is Paul addressing here?

• "AS SERVANTS" - A track record like Paul's might seem unappealing to the Corinthians (in fact, we're pretty sure it was). But rather than ignore it, Paul's been leaning into it. Imagine a job description for a servant that announced this kind of life: what elements of this kind of "servanthood" would you find least appealing?

• "AND YET ..." - In the list Paul presents starting in verse 8, Paul gives a series of contrasts beginning with "treated as impostors, and yet not killed." Which of the phrases coming after "and yet" in v 8-10 seem most intriguing to you?

2 COR 6:11-13

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

• "WIDE OPEN" - Paul continues in v 11 by defending his affection for them. What do you think he means by connecting his speech (11a) to his emotions (11b)?

• "YOU ARE RESTRICTED" - This is a bold move: he defends his feelings and then points out the fault in their emotional distance. Why is it important that the Corinthians "widen their hearts" to him? (v 13)

2 COR 6:14-7:1

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Therefore go out from their midst,

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch no unclean thing;

then I will welcome you,

18 and I will be a father to you,

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty.”

7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

• "UNEQUALLY YOKED" - You've probably heard this passage referred to as a marriage standard, and that's not inappropriate. However, re-read verse 14 again. What is the broader context that "yoking" seems to refer to? Why do you think Paul quotes as many as 9 OT passages to point out why holiness matters in who we bond ourselves to?

• "WHAT PARTNERSHIP" - This is the first of 4 phrases Paul uses to describe the alliances that believers might be tempted to make with those outside God's kingdom. What are the other three parallel words, and why do you think Paul goes to such lengths to be thorough here?

• "CLEANSE OURSELVES" - Apparently the "partnerships" Paul saw in Corinth were not neutral. What words does Paul use in 2 Cor 7:1 that clearly implicate the ungodliness these alliances brought into the church?

• WHAT PARTS NEED SCRUBBED? - As you pray about this passage leading up to Sunday, what "defiling" influences have you been blind to? What would it look like to "cleanse" areas of your life you've been neglecting lately?

Looking forward to Sunday with you,

Pastor Darren