The first ten verses of this chapter give us a summary of the Apostle’s general message that he gave to whomever he encountered in every place where he went. This message was an exhortation to comply with the offers that are freely extended by the Lord in the Gospel of reconciliation. The Gospel is a Word of grace sounding in our ears, but it will be in vain for us to hear it unless we also believe it. And since it is the duty of the ministers of the Gospel to exhort and persuade their hearers to accept the grace and mercy which are offered to them, they are honored with the high title of “co-workers with God” (verse 1).
What were some of the arguments which the Apostle used to convince his hearers? One of them was the fact that the present time is the only proper season to accept the grace that is offered to us. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (verse 2). The current time, when the Gospel is being preached to us, is the day of salvation. Tomorrow does not belong to us; we do not know what will occur tomorrow, nor where we shall be. And we should remember that present seasons of grace are short and uncertain, and they cannot be brought back when they are gone. Therefore, it is in our best interest to make proper use of them while we have them – for nothing less than our very salvation and everlasting destiny depends upon our doing so!
Paul and his friends made a special effort to not give any kind of offence that might hinder the success of their preaching (verse 3). Many persons watched for an opportunity to accuse him of failure in his ministry or his lifestyle; therefore, he was very cautious to not needlessly offend those who were eager to catch him tripping up. The constant aim and endeavor of Paul and his companions was to show that they were faithful ministers of the Lord (verse 4). Ministers of the Gospel should look upon themselves as God’s servants, and they should live in accordance with that character in everything. Thus did the Apostle by his great patience under afflictions. He was a great sufferer, and he met with many afflictions. He was often in need of the conveniences and even the necessities of life. He frequently experienced beatings and imprisonments. His labors not only included preaching the Gospel, but also traveling from place to place for that purpose, as well as working with his hands to supply his needs. Nevertheless, he exercised much patience in all these things.
The Apostle also made it clear to his readers what his principles were (verses 6-7) – one of which was pureness. A care to keep ourselves pure and unspotted from the world is necessary if we are to live a Godly life. Knowledge was another principle of Paul’s – not to mention his patience and kindness. He acted under the influence of the Holy Spirit, from the noble principle of unfeigned love, according to the rule of the Word of truth, under the supports and assistances of the power of God, having on the armor of righteousness – which is the best defense against the temptations of prosperity on the one hand, and of adversity on the other.
Just as Paul and his fellow-laborers met with both honor and dishonor, all the Lord’s servants in this world must expect to meet with some dishonor and reproaches in order to balance their honor and esteem. The Apostle and his friends were slighted by the men of the world as persons not worth taking notice of; yet in all the churches of Christ, they were well-known and highly beloved. They were despised as poor because of their poverty in this world, and yet they made many rich by preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. Although they had nothing in this world, yet they possessed all things in Christ, and they had treasures in heaven. Such a paradox is a Christian’s life, and through such a variety of conditions and reports lies our way to heaven.
In the second portion of this chapter, Paul proceeds to address himself more particularly to the Corinthians; and he cautions them against mingling with unbelievers and being unequally yoked with them. It is wrong for righteous people to join in affinity with the wicked and profane; both will pull each other in opposite directions, and that will be galling and grievous. And it is more likely that bad persons will damage the good, rather than the good benefiting the bad. Although it is true that we cannot entirely avoid seeing, hearing, and interacting with the people of this world, yet we should never choose them for our bosom-friends – much less join with them in religious communion. Christ and the world are contrary to each other; they have opposite interests and intentions, and so it is impossible that there can ever be any harmony or agreement between them. Moreover, to attempt to live in such a relationship is a dishonor to the Christian’s profession of faith (verse 16), for the bodies of believers are the temples of the living God – dedicated to and employed in the service of God, Who has promised to reside in them, and to stand in a special relationship with them.
There is a great deal of danger in the children of God communicating with unbelievers and idolators; therefore, the exhortation in verse 17 is to come out from among them and be separate – just as one would avoid being with those who have leprosy, for fear of taking infection. We must take care to not defile ourselves by interaction with those who defile themselves with sin. Besides, God has promised to be a Father to us (verse 18); we are His sons and daughters – and is there a greater honor or happiness than this? How can we, who have this dignity, degrade and debase ourselves by mingling with unbelievers?
Lord Jesus, we repent of times when we have been too familiar and close to the people of this world – thereby endangering ourselves of becoming defiled. Amen.
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