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More II Corinthians commentaries
II Corinthians 3:1-3
We May Be the Only Bible Some People Read
II Corinthians 3:4-11
The Spirit, Not the Letter
II Corinthians 3:12-18
When One Turns to the Lord the Veil is Removed
II Corinthians 4:1-6
By God’s Grace I Will Not Quit
II Corinthians 4:7-18
Cast Down But Not Conquered
II Corinthians 5:1-9
Assurance of the Resurrection
II Corinthians 5:10-13
Bringing People to God
II Corinthians 5:14-21
Be Reconciled to God
II Corinthians 6:1-10
Marks of the Ministry
II Corinthians 7:1-7
The Church Makes Paul Happy
II Corinthians 7:8-16
Godly Sorrow Produces Repentance
II Corinthians 8:1-6
Giving is More Blessed Than Receiving
II Corinthians 8:7-15
Christ Our Pattern
II Corinthians 8:16-24
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Marks of the Ministry
II Corinthians 6:1–10
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
There is a story told of a young lady who was arguing that she had plenty of time to accept the Lord. The soul winner handed her a piece of paper and said, “Would you sign a statement that you would be willing to postpone salvation for a year?” “No,” she … More
It appears that the people heard God’s message but they did not let it affect what they said and did (v. 1). There is no guarantee that any sinner will have the opportunity to be saved tomorrow (v. 2). Paul always considered what his actions communicated about Jesus Christ (v. 3). He paid a tremendous price to be faithful to the ministry God had called him to, and yet it would appear that the Corinthians didn’t appreciate all he did for them. In these verses Paul was not begging for praise but he was just reminding the Christians at Corinth that his ministry to them had cost him dearly.
As Paul shares how the pressures were coming in from every side, he lists twenty-seven categories that can be divided as follows:
What a difference it makes to know Jesus Christ. He cares for us in spite of what the Word around us may think. As believers we must minister for Jesus Christ. In the course of each day, non Christians observe us. Paul stood faithful to God whether people praised him or condemned him. He remained steadfast, active, joyous, and content in the most difficult hardships. As a Christian, we must never let our careless or undisciplined actions be another person’s excuse for rejecting Christ.
Application
I must never let circumstances or people’s expectations govern what I do or don’t do in life. I must remain steadfast to God, and refuse to compromise my standards for living regardless of what trials may come into my life.
II Corinthians 6:1-10 (English Standard Version)
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
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