Category: Devotions

2 Corinthians 6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

The Corinthian Christians do not occupy a little or restricted portion of the Apostle Paul’s heart, he loved them dearly. He unequivocally tells them. The word “straitened” literally means confine, squeeze into a narrow tight place, restrict; figuratively in the passive, as having a cramped or narrow feeling be restricted, be severely limited. [Friberg]

MacDonald said well, “Any restriction in affections between the Corinthians and Paul is not in himself but in them. They might have limited love toward him, so that they were not sure whether they should receive him or not, but he was not at all limited in his love toward them. The lack of love was on their side, not Paul’s.”

The fact that he has come such a long way and endured many sufferings, he explained, is proof of his sincere love for them. He has to explain himself so that he may help them see that their affections toward him have been compromised.

2 Corinthians 6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

The Apostle Paul by the burden of a loving heart speaks to exhort the church in Corinth to love and good works. Poole said well, “This enlargement of my heart is that which openeth my lips, and makes me speak freely to you, both in admonishing you of your errors, and in exhorting you to your duty.”

Thank God for such a man of God willing to impart, by patience and example, the privilege of life with God. What a blessing it is to read such a love letter to the church. A man bearing his soul for the eternal benefit those who God brought into his contact.

2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

The life of faith with God in Christ is an enriching life because of the imparting of life eternal to that privileged soul. This supply of life bears its evidence in a relationship of trust with an invisible yet Almighty, compassionate, benevolent God. Having Christ in us is the believer’s sufficiency. The psalmist said well, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) I shall have no lack. And he also says, “…my cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23:5) God will see that he will have more than enough to bless others. Culminating in the confident declaration – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23:6)

The Apostle Paul did not set his heart on the endowment of the possessions of this world because he understood that it is fleeting. His value system is this: Anything that has true value must be eternal. Therefore, he pursued to impart the richness of his understanding of life eternal through Christ to others, enriching their lives, when they too, set their affections on things above.

2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

As far as this world’s goods, the material things of this world, the Apostle Paul was considered a poor man. He testified in Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

His value system was a heavenly one. He explained this in 1 Timothy 6:7-10 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Sorrow is a part of the Christian demeanour living as one with a poverty of spirit, how we are spiritually bankrupt and how we ought to mourn for our sins. The Apostle Paul was acutely aware of his own sinfulness. He sought to daily follow his Master, Christ, crucifying self and resisting the world’s system, the tempter’s lure. Through self-examination and confession and repentance before God, he sought a clear conscience daily. He experienced the comfort of sins forgiven, peace and joy through the Holy Ghost.

2 Corinthians 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

The Apostle Paul was hated by the world for preaching the gospel and yet he was in the closely monitored radar of God and fellow believers. Indeed, as MacDonald observed well, “His life was one of daily dying, and yet behold he lived! Threatened, hunted, pursued, persecuted, and imprisoned, he won his freedom only to preach the gospel with greater zeal.”

“… as chastened, and not killed.” Chastened here has to do with the punishment which he endured at the hands of men. Many times, perhaps, they thought they had brought his tumultuous life to a close — only to hear of his exploits for Christ in other cities! [MacDonald]

2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

The Apostle Paul is considered a fake to some, a deceiver or impostor to many and yet, as William MacDonald observed, “he is true for all that. He is no impostor, but a genuine servant of the Most High God.”

Our Lord Jesus Himself was called a deceiver in Matthew 27:63 “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” Jesus’ tomb was made doubly secure to ensure no foul play Matthew 27:64 “Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.” Yet Jesus truly rose from the dead!

2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

The word translated as evil report, (dusjhmia) “δυσφημία” means bad language, hence slander, reproach, evil report.

William MacDonald observed well, “The true servant of God is the object of evil report and good report. Some speak well of his zeal and courage, whereas others have only condemnation for him.”

The Apostle Paul has no reputation expect the reputation of His Master as he testified in Philippians 1:20-21 “20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Whereas before his conversion, his sole object was to persecute Christians. Now, his sole object in life was to glorify Christ. And he persevered by the grace to live for Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

Hendriksen said well, this “next two clauses delineate contrast: glory and dishonour, bad report and good report, in reverse order. As a soldier stands between weapons on his right and left so Paul and his associates are between glory and dishonour, bad report and good report… Just as Paul moves through spiritual battles with weapons in the left and the right hand, so he moves through circumstances in which he receives honour and good reports on the one hand and slander on the other. The apostle stays unswervingly devoted to the ministry of the Word.”¹

2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

The word “armour” means “tool or weapon”, in the plural, armour. The soldier in battle order will have a sword and a shield, both for offense and for defense. This speaks of weapons that promote righteousness. And righteousness speaks of “uprightness of conscience and holiness of life.”

Hendricksen observed well, “Engaged in spiritual warfare, the soldier in Christ’s army is armed with spiritual weapons to do battle against the forces of the evil one. Paul does not specify the kinds of weapons that are used, but there is no doubt that the sword or the spear is for the right hand and the shield for the left hand. A soldier is fully equipped to fight both offensively and defensively… Paul is upright in character and does not want to give anyone an opportunity to take offense (2 Cor. 6:3). But he is also on the defense against the attackers of the cause of Christ (11:13–14) and is on the offense by destroying their strongholds and capturing every thought for Christ (10:4–5). An upright soldier of Christ is flanked on the left and the right with weapons to defend and attack.”¹