(Chap. 6:1-10)
In chapter 6 Paul speaks of being tested and approved of God in the ministry. He and his co-workers had truly been tested under real life situations in the field of service, and they had met with divine approval.
Vss. 1-2—In chapter 5 Paul spoke of how he beseeched sinners to be reconciled to God; now in chapter 6 he beseeches the saints at Corinth to “receive not the grace of God in vain.” Such truths had so motivated him that he threw his whole life into the service of the Lord, as seen in chapter 5. Now, he beseeches the Corinthians to respond in the same way. He calls on them to respond to the grace of God that had been shown to them, and to allow the precious things conveyed to them through the ministry to affect their lives practically.
The words, “with Him,” in verse 1 (KJV), are not found in the Greek text. They make the verse to mean that Paul and his fellow-workers were workers with God. This is true (1 Cor. 3:99For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)), but it is not the point he was making here. He desired to stir up the Corinthians to respond to the grace of God and to join the work that he and his co-workers were engaged in. Mr. F. B. Hole said, “Grace is received in vain if it does not work out to its legitimate end and effect.” Sad to say, this was the case with the Corinthians. Under the influence of the false apostles who had infiltrated their ranks, they had become “armchair critics” of those engaged in the work of the Lord, rather than “workers together” with them. They were critical of the Apostle, but had not engaged themselves in the service of the Lord in any significant way. This was a terrible inconsistency, and it is a problem that still exists in the Church today.
In a parenthesis (vs. 2), Paul quotes Isaiah 49:88Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; (Isaiah 49:8) to show that the time to be busy in the work of the Lord is in "the day of salvation." Isaiah was speaking prophetically of God's encouragement to the Messiah of Israel (the Lord Jesus) when He was rejected at the time of His first coming (John 1:1111He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11)). He promised Him that His prayer in regard to Israel's salvation would be heard in "an acceptable time," which will be at His Appearing. God will work for Israel's blessing in that day, and promised to assist the Lord in accomplishing it. Paul makes an application from that Scripture to show that we are to be found working in this present day of salvation when the Gospel of the Grace of God is being preached. Paul's point here is that we can count on God's assistance in this work in a similar way (compare Mark 16:2020And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)). He brings this before the Corinthians as an encouragement to be busy in the ministry of reconciliation mentioned in chapter 5. Instead of giving their ear to people who were opposing and criticizing Paul and his ministry, the Corinthians needed to be supporting it in whatever way they could. We need to do the same.
Vs. 3—Paul cautions the Corinthians, that being involved in the work, they needed to be careful in all of their dealings with people and not give any “offence,” so “that the ministry be not blamed.” The truth may offend (Matt. 15:1212Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? (Matthew 15:12)), but that is not what Paul is speaking about. He is speaking of personal offences because our own foolishness. It is extremely important not to allow anything that would be inconsistent in our lives, so that we don’t stumble those to whom we have proclaimed the grace of God. It could cause them to reject it.
Vss. 4-10—Paul brings his principles of action in service to a climax in mentioning no less than 28 things in which he and his co-workers were tested and approved of God. These testings and provings fall into three categories, each having nine items: in outward adverse circumstances, in moral ways and characteristics, and in paradoxical misunderstandings.
Nine Testing Circumstances Wherein the Minister Is to Honour God
Vss. 4-5—Paul gives a list of the outward adverse circumstances which one who faithfully ministers the truth will encounter. He begins by speaking of “endurance.” This is the quality of spiritual toughness which is needed in all the trying circumstances that one encounters in serving the Lord.
Paul then proceeds to name nine adverse circumstances. “Afflictions” refers to various troubles the servant will encounter (2 Tim. 1:88Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:8)). “Necessities” are hardships (Acts 20:3434Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (Acts 20:34)). “Distresses” are trying situations (Psa. 120:11<<A Song of degrees.>> In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. (Psalm 120:1)). “Stripes” refers to beatings (Acts 16:22-2322And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: (Acts 16:22‑23)). “Imprisonments” is being jailed (Acts 24:2727But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. (Acts 24:27)). “Tumults [riots]” are the results of the rejection of the gospel (Acts 19:29-3429And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. (Acts 19:29‑34)). “Labours” refers to hard work of any kind (Acts 20:33-3533I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:33‑35)). “Watchings” is sleepless nights. “Fastings” is not voluntary fasting resulting from soul exercise before God, but hunger through the lack of food.
In all these things, Paul and those who laboured with him faced these situations and behaved commendably as “God’s ministers” (vs. 4).
Nine Moral Characteristics
Vss. 6-7—Passing on to another area where the minister of Christ must show himself “approved unto God,” Paul speaks of nine things by which the servant should be characterized.
He begins with “pureness,” which has to do with personal piety. God’s servants must walk blamelessly before their brethren and the world. Next is “knowledge.” The servant must have a sound understanding of the truth of God (Eph. 3:44Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (Ephesians 3:4)), so as to be able to answer anyone who asks about the Christian faith (1 Peter 3:1515But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15)). God’s ministers must also be marked by “longsuffering.” This is the quality of having a patient spirit with those who oppose the truth (2 Tim. 2:2424And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (2 Timothy 2:24)). “Kindness” shows that they must manifest a spirit of grace towards all. Moreover, the minister of Christ is to be marked by being filled with the “Holy Spirit” at all times (Gal. 5:2525If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25); Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18)). “Love unfeigned,” of course, means that they must be genuine in their affection toward all.
Paul then says, “By the word of truth.” Apparently, this means that when the servant is under pressure to give up some point of the truth to make the message more acceptable, he must hold fast to all of the truth of God. Then he adds, “By the power of God,” which means that the Lord’s work must not be carried out with fleshly energy, but by the power that God gives by the Spirit (Zech. 4:66Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)). Lastly, he says, “By armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” This refers to acting with moral integrity in all business dealings so as to not give any offence to the gospel.
This shows that there is a certain character that the minister is to maintain before all so that there would be no accusations against the Lord and the truth of God. In each of these things Paul and those with him were approved of God.
Nine Paradoxical Situations
Vss. 8-10—In the last group of nine things Paul shows that the minister may be misunderstood at times, and even rejected in the service of the Lord. We cannot expect that people of the world will understand the purpose of the gospel, nor can we expect that worldly Christians will appreciate all aspects of the truth. As a result, there will be opposition and misrepresentation of the servant’s motives and work. These things cannot but occur in the life of the servant who tries to honour God in his service. Consequently, he must accept the fact that he will appear, at times, in a paradoxical way before others.
Paul says, “By honour and dishonour.” Among those who value the truth, the servant will be appreciated, but among those who reject it, he will be unappreciated. “By evil report and good report” means that he may be slandered, but those who value the truth will bring a good report of his character and ways. “As deceivers, and yet true” means that the servant may be accused of being an impostor, even though such allegations are not true. “As unknown, and yet well known” refers to being viewed as nothing in this world, but having the quiet confidence of the Lord’s approval. J. N. Darby aptly remarked that “true greatness is to serve unnoticed and to work unseen.” The servant of the Lord must be content with this. “As dying, and, behold, we live” refers to the servant’s life always being in jeopardy, yet having divine mercy to continue in the path. “As chastened, and not killed,” refers to the many things the servant will endure in the path of service that God will use as a discipline in His school that will ultimately be used for the servant’s profit. “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” refers to the sorrow the minister experiences when the truth is rejected or resisted, but there is rejoicing when it is received. “As poor, yet making many rich” refers to the expending of one’s material resources to provide the means of reaching people and imparting spiritual blessing to them (Acts 20:3434Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (Acts 20:34)). “Having nothing, and yet possessing all things” means that the servant will appear to be wasting his life in a useless cause, but in reality he has gained all things—both spiritual and material (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3); 1 Cor. 3:2222Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; (1 Corinthians 3:22)).
Hence, the servant must endure all things for the gospel’s sake, and at the same time, maintain a right spirit and character as God’s servant. To summarize all these things, Hamilton Smith said, “Whether in the circumstances they passed through, or in the trials they had to meet, in the spiritual exercises their service involved, in the moral qualities they exhibited, in the practical righteousness that marked them, or in the path they trod in following the Master, the Apostle and his fellow-workers commended themselves as the servants of God.”
The great concluding point here is that Paul and his co-workers had shown themselves to be approved and commended of God—the highest of all authorities. What grounds could the Corinthians possibly have to reject him and his ministry if God had approved them? It is quite incredible that someone so devoted and so self-sacrificing could be accused of insincerity, self-seeking, deceit, etc. If nothing else, Paul had given his friends in Corinth, who formed the majority of the assembly, the material to reply to the false teachers who questioned his honesty and integrity.