2 Corinthians 6
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Don't waste what you have learned and the sacrifice that has been given to you. We have been blessed by Him, don't waste it†
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.)
Were all given the opportunity, were all given The Way. The day we accept Him is the day of our salvation.
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
We must be careful not to over load someone with so much of God's Word it could cause them to fall. I've been guilty of this many times before. Take your time and see what they can handle before you feed them anything.
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
The babes in Christ need the milk of The Word with patience. The Word will fill the voids and worries they have, but feed slowly. It will help them.
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
The world will try to sway you from God, but The Truth will set you free.
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,
Teach with patience and love and The Holy Spirit will help them in understanding.
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
God's Word is Truth! It's there for any battle in this worldly life. One hand holds the "shield" which is your "faith", giving power to hold back things that once affected you and in the other hand holds the "sword", The Word of God and it cuts both ways. It gives you true peace in an evil world. Always there in your time of need. All we need to do is pick it up and carry it.
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
The Word helps us in every situation in life, but we need the [Whole Word] if we want to handle the battles.
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
The Truth is unknown because they reject Him making Him well known. They've heard the story and rejected the cause. They're dead, but we are made alive, hurt but able to handle whatever may come, we are Christians. Can do children of God.
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
It's sad to see a loved one die, but rejoicing in the fact their hopefully on the side of God if they chose Christ. It's sad to see so many refuse Christ, but glad to see the ones that do. It's sad to see things the way they are in the world, but exciting to know why. Knowledge in The Word makes you richer than anything the world could give.
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
In other words, Paul's saying, We haven't held anything back in giving you The Truth and it has all been from the heart because we love you.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
Letting evil creep into the church causes stress for the whole. Paul is letting them all know there isn't any strain between them even if they feel there is.
13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
Paul started the church in Corinth it's kind of his baby. His love for them is as a dad would have for his children. A good dad wants the best for them will do his best to keep them growing in The correct Way †
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
You have nothing in common with evil people so don't hangout with them. If you mess with poop, you'll get it on you sooner or later. The church follows God's Word or it isn't of God but the devil. Look around, today's churches have let every form of the world take control and very few preach more than a few verses, not even in context. The people don't know because they won't take the time to study for themselves. The church in Corinth had allowed incest in and ignored it. It caused much division and anger within the church. They had unbelievers coming in and eating the food to get fat. They could care less about The Word. They just wanted the food.
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
There isn't anything that you should have in common with evil. You've made a change. You may help those willing to listen, but don't waste any time with those that don't. Someone wanting to hear about Christ is waiting.
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.
You are the temple of God, so separate from those ways of the world. There isn't enough room for both within the temple. God has made us a promise [if] we follow Him. It's up to each of us. Leviticus 26:12-17 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. 14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
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.
When "yoked together" (from verse 14), you're side by side together on something. Make sure you yoke only with those that have cleaned up their act. Our Father will drop you if you chose evil over Him. It's been our choice since the beginning. Come out from those that follow evil.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
It's up to each of us, It's up to you. †