ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, 2 Corinthians 6, December 20, 2024
Introduction to Chapter 6
Paul is writing to people he cares deeply about. He helped to establish the church in Corinth and led many people there to faith in Christ. Now he seems concerned that some among them who have heard the clear message of the gospel from him have not come to full faith in Christ alone for their salvation. This may be based on continued association with idol worship, or false teachers among them distorting the gospel of Jesus and accusing Paul of being a false apostle. This chapter appeals to those in Corinth not to receive God's grace in vain, insisting that the day of salvation has come. That "day," however, will not last forever. Eventually, Christ will return and the opportunity to receive God's free gift will pass ().
Paul insists that he and those who work with him have not done or said anything that would keep anyone from believing in Jesus. He commends their ministry to the Corinthians, giving them evidence to present to anyone who would accuse Paul of being false or having a hidden and self-serving agenda ().
Paul says they have done nothing to cause the Corinthians to have anything against them. He and his friends have wide-open hearts toward everyone in Corinth. He asks them to open their hearts to him, as well, as children toward a father (). Next, Paul commands them clearly not to be "unequally yoked" with—or "harnessed to"—unbelievers. He seems to be referring to contracted relationships that would bind a Christian to a non-Christian in some formal way. That would certainly include marriage, as well as serious business or personal ties. This doesn't forbid believers from ever associating with unbelievers (), but from participating in relationships that would obligate them to unbelievers, perhaps especially in areas involving idol worship. (https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/6/2-Corinthians-chapter-6.html)Intro & Paul's Hardships, Verses 1-7, DESTINY
1 As God’s partners,[a] 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, 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,[c] 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.
SECTION QUESTIONS:
1. Who are those who might receive the grace of God in vain? (Verse 1)
2. What are some of satan's tactics to keep us from making a decision to follow Christ at the "right time?" Verse 2)
3. Does Paul commend himself in these scriptures? If so, in which verses do you see this? What is his motivation for commending himself this time?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
4. Is there something you feel that God has called you to do that you are waiting on (start a Bible Study, share the Word with someone else, write a Christian article or book)?
Paul's Hardships, Part 2, Verses 8-13, TEANNIE
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!
SECTION QUESTIONS:
5. What are some pitfalls that could potentially discourage or hinder ministers from walking in their God-given assignments?
6. What do you think Paul is communicating here about open and clear communication? (Verses 11-13)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
7. In what ways can we be encouraged by the truth of God's Word?
8. Application: If you don’t like how someone in your life is communicating with you try evaluating your own communication. Decide to be the initiator of change. You will likely reap what you sow. So, if you change first then it will also change how they think of and respond to you.
The Temple of the Living God, Verses 14-18, KESHIA
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[d]? 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.”
SECTION QUESTIONS:
9. What does it mean to be unequally yoked to unbelievers?
10. What are 5 contrasts Paul makes between believers and unbelievers?
11. What are some of the dangers of being unequally yoked?
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
1. Is there an area of your life where you are flirting with the world? Are you placing a higher love and priority on something in the world than God? God is calling you today to place Him as the highest priority in your life. He wants your full heart. Be devoted to Him above all else. Separate yourselves from anything in this world which is distracting you from following God 100%.
Brief Summary of 'Belia' mentioned in verse 15: Belial is a compound word, believed to have been taken from the Hebrew beliy, meaning "not," and ya'al, meaning "profit" or "benefit." it is used twenty-six times in the Old Testament, usually translated as "worthless" in the New American Standard Bible, but also as "base," "destruction," "rascally," and "wicked."...(Source: gotquestions.org)
Prayer Confession for 2 Corinthians, Chapter 6
“(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.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing grace and for that wonderful 'day of salvation' when Jesus rose from the dead and broke the power of Satan, sin, death, and hell. Lord, no one knows how many days they have left on the earth. Please bring many in that valley of decision, to a saving faith in Christ, before it is too late. Because now is the accepted time and today is the day of salvation. In Jesus' name, I pray, AMEN.
“By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,” (2 Corinthians 6:7)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the ministry and witness of Paul and the many things I can learn from his dedicated attitude in sharing the truth of the gospel. I praise and thank You for the assurance that I also have, that You are my Defence and my Defender and I can trust You no matter what difficulties or dangers I may encounter. May You be glorified in my life, and may I speak the Word of truth boldly, in the power of God, taking up the weapons of righteousness wherever I go. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
“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.” (2 Corinthians 6:16) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Heavenly Father, what an incredible privilege to have the Holy Spirit living within my human frame. Thank You, Lord, that You have chosen to take up residence in the hearts of all believers and that we have been given the ‘ministry of reconciliation’. Fulfill now, O Lord, the work that you have for me to do, and may I live for Your glory and consecrate my life to Your service. Father God, over the years I know that many times I have been enticed by the world, and each time, I discover myself out of fellowship with You. I desire in word and deed, mind and motive, to be separated unto You, in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray, AMEN.
“And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)
Heavenly Father, how I praise and thank You that by faith, I have become Your child. Thank You, that You are not only the God Who created me, but my Heavenly Father, Who has promised to be with me and to walk with me, and Who desires to fellowship with me. Thank You for sending Jesus to be my Saviour, and that in Him I have been made a new creation. Keep me from fraternizing with the world, and help me to be a living testimony of Your goodness and grace. Help me to live a life that is holy and acceptable to You O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/6
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