2 Coríntios 6
John Piper · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 6
Piper comments - Yes, we die every day. We are crucified with Christ. Some of us are imprisoned and killed. But oh we live because Christ is our life now, and he will raise us from the dead. Dying physically, living spiritually! As punished (paideuo) yet not put to death (thanatoo) - Amplified = "[We are treated]...as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed." Both verbs in the present tense speaking of continually. Punished (paideuo) often is used of training (as in child rearing - Heb 12:6ff+), but in the present context has a more serious sense, possibly even the idea of flogging or scourging the meaning paideuo conveys in Lk 23:16+ referring to Jesus. Piper - Yes, we endure many human punishments and many divine chastenings, but over and over God has spared us from death. And he will spare us till our work is done. Michael Andrus - Paul was beaten within an inch of his life many times, but he was immortal until his work on earth was done. The same is true of us Ray
2 Coríntios 6
Piper comments "Yes, we are nobodies in the Roman empire, a tiny movement following a crucified and risen king. But oh we are known by God, and that is what counts (1 Co 8:3; Gal 4:9)."
2 Coríntios 6
Piper - Yes, we are sorrowful. There are countless reasons for our hearts to break. But in them all we do not cease to rejoice, one of the greatest paradoxes of the Christian life!...Joy in the midst of health? Joy in the midst of wealth and ease? And when everyone speaks well of you? Why would that mean anything to the world? The world has that already. But indomitable joy in the midst of sorrow that they do not have. That is what Jesus came to give in this fallen, pain-filled, sin-wracked world. Warren
2 Coríntios 6
Piper - Yes, we are poor in this world’s wealth. But we don’t live to get rich on things, we live to make people rich on Jesus. Making many rich (4148)(ploutizo) speaks of literally making someone rich, enrich. In the NT used only figuratively, of spiritual enrichment cause to have an abundance. In the passive voice (as in 1Co 1:5) it means be made rich in, be caused to have an abundance. The first enrichment came at the time of their being evangelized; the result was that from the early days of their Christian lives, they had known the riches of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:4–7). Then, enrichment from God was to be given as a reward if they would be faithful in the sharing of their material goods (2 Corinthians 9:11, God will enrich “in everything,” NASB; cf. verses 6–10). In 2 Corinthians 6:10 Paul said that he and those with him were poor (materially?), but they were “making many rich” (spiritually) 3x - 1 Co. 1:5; 2 Co. 6:10; 2 Co. 9:11 As having nothing yet (present tense - continually) possessing (katecho) all things - Paul and his associates in ministry did not own anything of substance related to this world and yet continually had everything in the next world and even in this world had "everything necessary for life and godliness" - 2Pe 1:3+). So they possessed all things necessary for this life and the life to come! Michael Andrus - Paul personally owned nothing, which was true of Jesus as well. No real estate, no home, no vehicles, no savings, nothing. Yet he knew that God had blessed him “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Friends, when we examine these contrasts, these paradoxes about the Christian life, we cannot help but admit that the Christian life is a life of fanaticism; but it is reasonable fanaticism . In conclusion let me illustrate the difference this way: Crazy fanaticism is when a Muslim jihadist blows himself up, along with dozens of innocent people, expecting 72 virgins in the afterlife. Reasonable fanaticism is when a Chinese evangelist gives up what he cannot keep for the sake of that which he cannot lose. Crazy fanaticism is when people stand on the street corner holding signs that “God Hates Faggots.” Reasonable fanaticism is when Christians express the love of God to those caught up in homosexual behavior and endure persecution (like Exodus Ministries) in order to help them escape that destructive lifestyle. Crazy fanaticism, in my opinion, is killing abortion doctors and getting arrested for illegal protests. Reasonable fanaticism is building Pregnancy Crisis Centers and witnessing the love of Christ to women who are at the end of their rope. Crazy fanaticism is King Herod killing all the little boys under two in Bethlehem. Reasonable fanaticism is the Magi, traveling great distances for months to find the one who is born King of the Jews. Friends, let’s be fanatics for Jesus, but let’s be reasonable fanatics. Piper - You see us “as having nothing, yet [we are] possessing everything.” In one sense, we have counted everything as loss or the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:8). But, in fact, we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (Ro 8:17). To every Christian, Paul says, “all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” (1Co 3:21–23+). Kruse - It was a commonplace in Paul’s day, e.g. among Cynic and Stoic philosophers, to speak of having nothing materially, but possessing everything in a higher sense. Paul’s having nothing would be the result in part of his refusing either to accept support from the Corinthians (2Co 11:7–9), or to ‘peddle’ the gospel for financial gain (2Co 2:17). Nevertheless he regarded himself as truly rich because he was already experiencing as a sort of first-fruits the spiritual blessings of the age to come. And further, he rejoiced that, though materially poor, he could make many rich by enabling them to share in the spiritual blessings through Christ. (Full text of TNTC 2 Corinthians) Remember that Paul is listing his ministry credentials because he wants to make absolutely certain not to put an obstacle in anyone's way. John Piper explains it this way... He has been removing obstacles to faith and commending the truth and value of his ministry—his life, his message, his Lord. And he has done it in exactly the opposite way that “the prosperity gospel” does it. What obstacle has he removed? He has removed the obstacle that someone might think Paul is in the ministry for money, or for earthly comfort and ease. He has given every evidence he could to show that he is not a Christian—and he is not in the ministry—for the worldly benefits it can bring. But there are many pastors today who think just the opposite about this. They think that having a lavish house and a lavish car and lavish clothes commend their ministry. That’s simply not the way Paul thought. He thought that such things were obstacles. Why? Because if they would entice anyone to Christ, it would be for the wrong reason. It would be because they think Jesus makes people rich and makes life comfortable and easy. No one should come to Christ for that reason. Enticing people to Christ with prosperous lifestyles and with chipper, bouncy, light-hearted, playful, superficial banter, posing as joy in Christ, will attract certain people, but not because Christ is seen in his glory and the Christian life is presented as the Calvary Road. Many false conversions happen this way. So how is Paul commending his ministry, his life, his message, his Lord? 2Cor 6:4: “As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way.” How? By showing that knowing Christ, being known by Christ, having eternal life with Christ is better than all earthly wealth and prosperity and comfort. We commend our life and ministry by afflictions. We commend our life and ministry by calamities. We commend our life and ministry by sleepless nights. What does that mean? It means Christ is real to us, and Christ is infinitely precious, more to be desired than any wealth or comfort in this world. This is our commendation: When all around our soul gives way he then is all our hope and stay. (Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing) ILLUSTRATION - SORROWFUL - “I am burning with a fever, and have a violent cold; but Christ's presence makes me smile at pain; and the fire of his love burns up all fevers whatsoever.”-- George Whitefield. Christian History, Issue 38. Robert Hawker - Poor Man's Morning Portion As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.—2 Cor. 6:10. MY soul, hast thou learnt this holy science? There are three blessed lessons the Holy Ghost teacheth on this ground. (1) As, first, The believer is thoroughly emptied of himself. Art thou thus taught of God? Hast thou been led to see, to feel, to know, to be convinced that, after all thine attainments, after all thy long standing in the school of Jesus, thou hast nothing, canst do nothing, art worse than nothing; and, literally, hast no more in thyself now to recommend thee to Jesus, than the first moment thou didst hear of his name? This is to have nothing. This is to be poor in spirit. (2) Secondly, Dost thou possess all things in Jesus? Yes! (cf Col 2:3) if so be thou art living out of thyself wholly upon Him. And how is this known? Nothing more evident. When a sense of... my emptiness endears to me his fullness; my poverty, his riches; my weakness, his strength; my sins, his righteousness: my guilt, his blood; I truly possess all things, as far as I approve what Jesus is to his people, and rest upon Him and the blessed fruits of his salvation, as God the Father designed him, who hath made him wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, to his people. (3) And there is a third precious lesson the Holy Ghost teacheth to the poor that have nothing, and yet possess all things; namely, so to possess Jesus himself, that he may not only make his poor ones rich in his riches, but be himself their treasure; so to supply them not only with what they need, but to be himself their fullness; not only to open to them light and life, but to be himself both their light and life; so to impart to them salvation, as to show them that he is himself their salvation: and, in short, so to give them present peace, and the assurance of everlasting happiness in his blood and righteousness, as to give them the perfect enjoyment that he is himself both their present and everlasting happiness, and their portion for ever! My soul! hast thou learnt, and art thou every day more and more learning these precious truths? Oh! then, look up to thy Jesus, and say with one of old, “Whom have I in heaven but thee; and there is none upon earth I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Ps 73:25) Beecher - As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. A Christian man’s life is laid in the loom of time to a pattern which he does not see, but God does; and his heart is a shuttle. On one side of the loom is sorrow, and on the other is joy; and the shuttle, struck alternately by each, flies back and forth, carrying the thread, which is white or black as the pattern needs. And in the end, when God shall lift up the finished garment, and all its changing hues shall glance out, it will then appear that the deep and dark colors were as needful to beauty as the bright and high colors. Illustration - While on a short-term missions trip, Pastor Jack Hinton was leading worship at a leper colony on the island of Tobago. A woman who had been facing away from the pulpit turned around. “It was the most hideous face I had ever seen,” Hinton said. “The woman’s nose and ears were entirely gone. She lifted a fingerless hand in the air and asked, ‘Can we sing Count Your Many Blessings?’ “ Overcome with emotion, Hinton left the service. He was followed by a team member who said, “I guess you’ll never be able to sing that song again.” “Yes I will,” he replied, “but I’ll never sing it the same way.” -- The Pastor's Update (5/96). Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Baker), from the editors of Leadership. Streams in the Desert - “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” (2 Cor. 6:10.) SORROW was beautiful, but her beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the wood, and making little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss below. When Sorrow sang, her notes were like the low sweet call of nightingale, and in her eyes was the unexpectant gaze of one who has ceased to look for coming gladness. She could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to her. Joy was beautiful, too, but his was the radiant beauty of the summer morning. His eyes still held the glad laughter of childhood, and his hair had the glint of the sunshine’s kiss. When Joy sang his voice soared upward as the lark’s, and his step was the step of a conqueror who has never known defeat. He could rejoice with all who rejoice, but to weep with those who weep was unknown to him. “But we can never be united,” said Sorrow wistfully. “No, never.” And Joy’s eyes shadowed as he spoke. “My path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom for my gathering, and the blackbirds and thrushes await my coming to pour forth their most joyous lays.” “My path,” said Sorrow, turning slowly away, “leads through the darkening woods, with moon-flowers only shall my hands be filled. Yet the sweetest of all earth-songs—the love song of the night—shall be mine; farewell, Joy, farewell.” Even as she spoke they became conscious of a form standing beside them; dimly seen, but of a Kingly Presence, and a great and holy awe stole over them as they sank on their knees before Him. “I see Him as the King of Joy,” whispered Sorrow, “for on His Head are many crowns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory. Before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness, and I give myself to Him forever.” “Nay, Sorrow,” said Joy softly, “but I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great agony. I, too, give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy that I have known.” “Then we are one in Him,” they cried in gladness, “for none but He could unite Joy and Sorrow.” Hand in hand they passed out into the world to follow Him through storm and sunshine, in the bleakness of winter cold and the warmth of summer gladness, “as sorrowful yet always rejoicing.” “Should Sorrow lay her hand upon thy shoulder, And walk with thee in silence on life’s way, While Joy, thy bright companion once, grown colder, Becomes to thee more distant day by day? Shrink not from the companionship of Sorrow, She is the messenger of God to thee; And thou wilt thank Him in His great tomorrow— For what thou knowest not now, thou then shalt see; She is God’s angel, clad in weeds of night, With ‘whom we walk by faith and not by sight.’ ” J C Philpot - Though the Christian in himself is sorrowful, and has reason to be so all the day long, yet so far as he has any views by faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, any good hope through grace, or any manifestation of His Person, work, blood, and love, he may be always rejoicing. Nay, his very sorrow opens up a way for joy. There is no room in a worldly heart for spiritual joy, for the Lord gives joy in sorrow. When the heart is sunk in gloom and fear, and doubt and distress take possession of the mind, when family afflictions, or painful bereavements, or trying circumstances fill the heart with grief and dismay, that is the very time for the Lord to pour joy into the soul. As afflictions abound, so do consolations. Sorrow and joy are linked together as night and day, as sun and moon, as heaven and earth. Without sorrow there can be no joy, for joy is its counterpoise. If you had everything your heart could desire, what room would there be for spiritual joy? But when all sources of earthly joy dry up, and there is nothing but sorrow and trouble before you in this world, as long as life remains; when you are afflicted in body, poor in circumstances, tried in your family, distressed in your mind, and there is nothing but grief and misery,—then you have room made in your heart to receive the sweet consolations of God’s grace. (Ears from Harvested Sheaves) J C Philpot - How do we possess all things? In possessing Christ who is heir of all things. If we possess Christ, what have we not in Him? We have wisdom to teach us, righteousness to justify us, sanctification to make us holy, and redemption to deliver us from sin, death, and hell. If we have Him, we have the favour and love of God; we have the pardon of our sins, the reconciliation of our persons, the casting behind God’s back of all our backslidings, and a title to a heavenly crown. If we have Him, we have everything in Him, for Christ is ours, and Christ is God’s. Therefore in Him we possess all things. We shall have in providence things sufficient to carry us to the grave. He will give us everything that is for our good, and keep back nothing that is for our benefit. If we possess Him, what have we not in Him? Now the world, when death comes, what has it? Nothing to look to but the anger of God, and a fearful judgment. But the saint of God, when death comes to him, what has he to look to? A crown of life, a mansion in the skies, a smiling God, and a blessed assurance that he shall sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Thus though the saints of God have nothing, yet they possess all things; and possessing a heavenly crown, what can God given them more? (Ears from Harvested Sheaves) Streams in the Desert - “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” (2 Cor. 6:10) THE stoic scorns to shed a tear; the Christian is not forbidden to weep. The soul may be dumb with excessive grief, as the shearer’s scissors pass over the quivering flesh; or, when the heart is on the point of breaking beneath the meeting surges of trial, the sufferer may seek relief by crying out with a loud voice. But there is something even better. They say that springs of sweet fresh water well up amid the brine of salt seas; that the fairest Alpine flowers bloom in the wildest and most rugged mountain passes; that the noblest psalms were the outcome of the profoundest agony of soul. Be it so. And thus amid manifold trials, souls which love God will find reasons for bounding, leaping joy. Though deep call to deep, yet the Lord’s song will be heard in silver cadence through the night. And it is possible in the darkest hour that ever swept a human life to bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have you learned this lesson yet? Not simply to endure God’s will, nor only to choose it; but to rejoice in it with joy unspeakable and full of glory.—Tried us by Fire. I will be still, my bruised heart faintly murmured, As o’er me rolled a crushing load of woe; The cry, the call, e’en the low moan was stifled; I pressed my lips; I barred the tear drop’s flow. I will be still, although I cannot see it, The love that bares a soul and fans pain’s fire; That takes away the last sweet drop of solace, Breaks the lone harp string, hides Thy precious lyre. But God is love, so I will bide me, bide me— We’ll doubt not, Soul, we will be very still; We’ll wait till after while, when He shall lift us— Yes, after while, when it shall be His will. And I did listen to my heart’s brave promise; And I did quiver, struggling to be still; And I did lift my tearless eyes to Heaven, Repeating ever, “Yea, Christ, have Thy will.” But soon my heart upspake from ‘neath our burden, Reproved my tight-drawn lips, my visage sad: “We can do more than this, O Soul,” it whispered. “We can be more than still, we can be glad!” And now my heart and I are sweetly singing— Singing without the sound of tuneful strings; Drinking abundant waters in the desert; Crushed, and yet soaring as on eagle’s wings. —S. P. W. Source Of Gladness As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. —2 Corinthians 6:10 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 Paul Gerhardt, a pastor in Germany during the 17th century, had every reason not to be glad. His wife and four of his children died; the Thirty Years’ War brought death and devastation across Germany; church conflict and political interference filled his life with distress. Yet despite great personal suffering, he wrote more than 130 hymns, many of them characterized by joy and devotion to Jesus Christ. One of Gerhardt’s hymns, “Holy Spirit, Source Of Gladness,” contains this verse: Let that love which knows no measure Now in quickening showers descend, Bringing us the richest treasures Man can wish or God can send; Hear our earnest supplication, Every struggling heart release; Rest upon this congregation, Spirit of untroubled peace. Because God’s abounding love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5), is there any situation in which we cannot experience the joy He gives? During a time of great personal hardship, the apostle Paul described his experience as being “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10). Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. KJV 2 Corinthians 6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. NET 2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you. BGT 2 Corinthians 6:11 Τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν ἀνέῳγεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, Κορίνθιοι, ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν πεπλάτυνται· NLT 2 Corinthians 6:11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. ESV 2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. NIV 2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. YLT 2 Corinthians 6:11 Our mouth hath been open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart hath been enlarged! ASV 2 Corinthians 6:11 Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. CSB 2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. MIT 2 Corinthians 6:11 Our communications with you are straightforward, Corinthians, with our heart wide open. NKJ 2 Corinthians 6:11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. NRS 2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. NAB 2 Corinthians 6:11 We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians; our heart is open wide. NJB 2 Corinthians 6:11 People of Corinth, we have spoken frankly and opened our heart to you. GWN 2 Corinthians 6:11 We have been very open in speaking to you Corinthians. We have a place for you in our hearts. BBE 2 Corinthians 6:11 Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians, our heart is wide. O Corinthians: Ga 3:1 Php 4:15 our mouth: 2Co 7:3,4 1Sa 2:1 Job 32:20 33:2,3 Ps 51:15 our heart: 2Co 2:4 12:15 Ps 119:32 Hab 2:5 Eph 6:8 Php 1:8 Rev 22:12 2 Corinthians 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries "OPENED" MOUTH AND OPENED HEART Paul was an "open book" to the Corinthians. He is treating them as close friends, and telling them what he would never have told to any except those in whom he had complete confidence. J