Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Helpful thoughts:
- “The grace of God comes about solely through the death of Christ (5:14-19). Those who turn back from Christ show that their initial, apparent reception of God’s grace was not real but in vain.” – Scott Haffeman.
- In verse 2, Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8. The time and the blessings of the New Covenant have begun in Christ, though we await the culmination of all its promises.
- Paul defines the “weapons of righteousness” as purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech and the power of God.
Questions to consider:
- In what way did Paul’s experiences confirm his apostleship to the church at Corinth? In what way could Paul’s experiences encourage all of us in how to persevere in Christ through difficulties? What is our hope, our future, our joy?
- What are the things (Verse 6-7) that countered the hardships and sufferings of verses 4-5? How are these actual “weapons of righteous” as opposed to using literal weapons to “fight back?”
- How can a Christian be “restricted in your own affections” (Verse 12)? How can the things we desire keep us from having all we could have in Christ? In relationship with the church?