2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4 (Part 42) Conclusion: True Ministry for The Lord

• Paul desires that they open up to him,6:11-13

• The reason they are not is due to their unequal yoke to unbeliever, 6:14

• The unequal yoke—any relationship that causes us to compromise in any way our living for the Lord

• Reasons why, vv. 14b-16—total contrast and incompatibility

• God says—I will dwell in them and walk among them and I will be their God and they will be my people—separate from unbelievers as it tends to restrict fellowship with the Lord, 6:16-7:1

• A true ministry does not wrong those served, 7:2

• 7:3 picks up again from 6:11-13—Paul’s appeal for them to open up—principles: 1) Affection can be given but it cannot be taken; 2) Affection may be withheld even though deserved

2 Corinthians 7:5 picks back up from 2:13

• Paul left Ephesus for Troas to find Titus

• He is not in Troas so he departs for Macedonia—again to see Titus

• Paul wants to learn how they received the scathing letter—only Titus knows

• In 7:5, we come back to the major truth—the doctrine of comfort

• This was introduced in 1:3-11

• The theme is comfort that is ours in the midst of affliction: 1) In 1:3-11—“comfort” is used 10 times and “affliction” (suffering) is used 8 times; 2) In Chapters 1-9—“comfort” is used 17 times and “affliction” (suffering) is used 12 times

“Comfort”

• Parakaleo—the Greek word

• To stand beside—presence

• To support—supporting presence

• When under pressure—pressure

• The source . . . 1) The Father, 1:3; 2) The Son, I John 2:1; 3) The Spirit, John 14:16

• The means—Scripture—Romans 15:4

• The agent—in 2 Corinthians 7:6 God used Titus (this varies)

God sent comfort by Titus, 7:5-16

• The comfort of God that is provided for him, vv. 5-7: 1) The setting—compare 2:13 and 7:5—he suffered on the inside and the outside; 2) The source—part of God’s character is comfort.