Working as God's Partners

2 Corinthians 6:1–18 (NLT)

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

2 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.

3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

7 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.

8 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.

9 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.

10 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.

11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.

12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.

13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

16 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.

17 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.

18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

INTRODUCTION:

I- ACTIVELY ACCEPTING GOD’S MARVELOUS GIFT (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

2 Corinthians 6:1–2 (NLT)

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

2 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.

A- Actively accepting God’s gift of salvation means refusing to ignore what God has given us. (2 Corinthians 6:1)

2 Corinthians 6:1 (NLT)

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

Συνεργοῦντες δὲ καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ εἰς κενὸν τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ δέξασθαι ὑμᾶς·

1- Paul urges the Corinthians as strongly as he can.

“we beg you to not” (παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ = to ask for something earnestly and with propriety—‘to ask for (earnestly), to request, to plead for, to appeal to, earnest request, appeal.)

2- Paul urges the Corinthians not to accept God’s gift of salvation and then not allow it to transform them. “ignore it” (εἰς κενὸν = pertaining to being lacking in results—‘without result, without effect.)

B- The right time to accept God’s gift of salvation is now. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

2 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.

λέγει γάρ· Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσά σου καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι· ἰδοὺ νῦν καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος, ἰδοὺ νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας·

II- ADMONITIONS FOR ACTIVELY SERVING CHRIST (2 Corinthians 6:3-13)

2 Corinthians 6:3–13 (NLT)

3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

7 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.

8 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.

9 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.

10 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.

11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.

12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.

13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

A- Live in a way that does not cause others to stumble. (2 Corinthians 6:3)

2 Corinthians 6:3 (NLT)

3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble (προσκοπήν) because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.

μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπήν, ἵνα μὴ μωμηθῇ ἡ διακονία,

*προσκοπήν = that which provides an opportunity or occasion for causing someone to sin—‘that which causes someone to sin’ or ‘that which provides an occasion for someone to sin.’

B- Live in a way that demonstrates your sincerity. (2 Corinthians 6:4a)

2 Corinthians 6:4 (NLT)

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

4 ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ συνιστάνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι· ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις,

1- In everything we show (συνιστάνοντες = to cause something to be known by action—‘to make known by action, to demonstrate, to show.)

2- Demonstrate that we are true servants of God (ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι)

C- Patiently endure difficulties. (2 Corinthians 6:4-5)

2 Corinthians 6:4–5 (NLT)

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles (θλίψεσιν) and hardships (ἀνάγκαις) and calamities (στενοχωρίαις) of every kind.

5 We have been beaten ( ἐν πληγαῖς), been put in prison (ἐν φυλακαῖς), faced angry mobs (ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις), worked to exhaustion ( ἐν κόποις), endured sleepless nights (ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις), and gone without food (ἐν νηστείαις).

4 ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ συνιστάνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι· ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις,

5 ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις, ἐν κόποις, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν νηστείαις,

1- Paul lists the difficulties that he had endured while faithfully following Christ and his call.

D- Live a life of purity. (2 Corinthians 6:6)

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT)

6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

6 ἐν ἁγνότητι, ἐν γνώσει, ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ, ἐν χρηστότητι, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ,

1- The proof of faith is in the lifestyle.

a- By our purity (ἐν ἁγνότητι= the quality of moral purity—‘to be without moral defect, purity.’)

b- by our understanding (ἐν γνώσει = the content of what is known—‘knowledge, what is known.)

c- by our patience (ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ = a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.)

d- by our kindness (ἐν χρηστότητι = to provide something beneficial for someone as an act of kindness—‘to act kindly, to be kind, kindness.)

e- By the Holy Spirit within us (ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ )

f- By our sincere love (ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ )

*ἀνυποκρίτῳ = pertaining to being genuine and sincere, and hence lacking in pretense or show—‘genuine, sincere.’

*ἀγάπῃ = love

E- Faithfully proclaim the truth. (2 Corinthians 6:7)

2 Corinthians 6:7 (NLT)

7 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.

7 ἐν λόγῳ ἀληθείας, ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ· διὰ τῶν ὅπλων τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῶν δεξιῶν καὶ ἀριστερῶν,

1- Lit. “We speak the truth in the power of God.”

2- We use the weapons (ὅπλων ) of righteousness (δικαιοσύνης).

F- Serve the Lord faithfully regardless of people’s responses and reactions. (2 Corinthians 6:8-10)

2 Corinthians 6:8–10 (NLT)

8 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.

9 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.

10 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.

8 διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας, διὰ δυσφημίας καὶ εὐφημίας· ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς,

9 ὡς ἀγνοούμενοι καὶ ἐπιγινωσκόμενοι, ὡς ἀποθνῄσκοντες καὶ ἰδοὺ ζῶμεν, ὡς παιδευόμενοι καὶ μὴ θανατούμενοι,

10 ὡς λυπούμενοι ἀεὶ δὲ χαίροντες, ὡς πτωχοὶ πολλοὺς δὲ πλουτίζοντες, ὡς μηδὲν ἔχοντες καὶ πάντα κατέχοντες.

G- Respond in love. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)

2 Corinthians 6:11–13 (NLT)

11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.

12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.

13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

(11 Τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν ἀνέῳγεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, Κορίνθιοι, ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν πεπλάτυνται·

12 οὐ στενοχωρεῖσθε ἐν ἡμῖν, στενοχωρεῖσθε δὲ ἐν τοῖς σπλάγχνοις ὑμῶν·

13 τὴν δὲ αὐτὴν ἀντιμισθίαν, ὡς τέκνοις λέγω, πλατύνθητε καὶ ὑμεῖς.

III- AVOID PARTNERING WITH UNBELIEVERS. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

2 Corinthians 6:14–18 (NLT)

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

16 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.

17 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.

18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

A- The principle- Avoid partnering with unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

14 Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ, ἢ τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;

1- ἑτεροζυγοῦντες = to be wrongly or poorly matched in an association—‘to be mismatched, to be wrongly matched.’

2- ἀπίστοις = a person who does not belong to the group of believers in Christ—‘non-Christian.’

B- The reasons for not partnering with unbelievers.

1- Because of our partnership with God. (2 Corinthians 6:1)

2 Corinthians 6:1 (NLT)

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

Συνεργοῦντες δὲ καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ εἰς κενὸν τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ δέξασθαι ὑμᾶς·

a. Συνεργοῦντες = from συνεργέω “to help in work, to co-operate, be a co-worker,” is rendered “that helpeth with” hence co-workers, partners.

2- Because partnership with unbelievers contradicts who we are and what we represent.

a- Righteousness can’t be partnered with wickedness. (2 Corinthians 6:14b)

2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

14 Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ, ἢ τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;

b- Light can’t coexist with darkness. (2 Corinthians 6:14c)

2 Corinthians 6:14c (NLT)

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

14 Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ, ἢ τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;

c- Partnership between Christ and Satan can’t exist. (2 Corinthians 6:15)

2 Corinthians 6:15 (NLT)

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

15 τίς δὲ συμφώνησις Χριστοῦ πρὸς Βελιάρ, ἢ τίς μερὶς πιστῷ μετὰ ἀπίστου;

d- Partnership between a believer and an unbeliever is impossible. (2 Corinthians 6:15b)

2 Corinthians 6:15 (NLT)

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

15 τίς δὲ συμφώνησις Χριστοῦ πρὸς Βελιάρ, ἢ τίς μερὶς πιστῷ μετὰ ἀπίστου;

e- It is impossible to have a temple for God that is also given to the honor of idols. (2 Corinthians 6:16)

2 Corinthians 6:16 (NLT)

16 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.

16 τίς δὲ συγκατάθεσις ναῷ θεοῦ μετὰ εἰδώλων; ἡμεῖς γὰρ ναὸς θεοῦ ἐσμεν ζῶντος· καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μου λαός.

f- As Christ’s church, we are God’s temple. (2 Corinthians 6:16b)

2 Corinthians 6:16 (NLT)

16 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.

16 τίς δὲ συγκατάθεσις ναῷ θεοῦ μετὰ εἰδώλων; ἡμεῖς γὰρ ναὸς θεοῦ ἐσμεν ζῶντος· καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μου λαός.

C- God calls for believers to repent of unholy alliances and separate from worldly partnerships. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)

2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (NLT)

17 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.

18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

17 διὸ ἐξέλθατε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε· κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς·

18 καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ.

CONCLUSION: