2 Corinthians 6:2-10
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.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love,
7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, 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 yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Context
- Why should heavenly ambassadors not give offense? (1 Corinthians 9:27, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 4:1, 2, 6:2)
Reflection
- How did Paul’s hardships commend him as a minister? (1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9, 11:23-29, Philippians 1:29, 30)
- What kind of ‘hard work’, ‘fasting’, and ‘sleeplessness’accompany ministry? (1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 8, Acts 20:7-11, 31)
- What weapons does God provide for the battle? (Romans 15:14-21, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5, Ephesians 6:12-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:8)
- How do we see Jesus-from the cradle to the cross to the crown-in the paradoxes of vv. 8-10? (2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 16, 17, Philippians 2:5-9, Hebrews 12:2)
Testimony Time
- How is your spiritual resume, testimony? (Psalm 40:1-3, Galatians 1:13-16, 2:20, Colossians 1:13, 14)
- What is of lasting value in your life? (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:15, Philippians 3:10, 4:11)