Bethesda Chapel
2001
SG Bible Study #14
The Privileges of being called to God’s Service (2 Cor 6:11 - 7:4)
Songs – select songs on holiness, devotion and commitment to God alone.
Warm
up (optional: - 12 min)
Without being judgmental, share an example of how a religious person
purifies himself or herself from the defilement of the body or spirit.
Quiet
Contemplation (5 min.)
Recall
lessons in the previous BS The Hardships of being in God’s Service in 2
Cor 6:2-10
6:3
Integrity of God’s servants – “in every way we show ourselves
as…”
6:4,5
Afflictions from outward circumstances
6:6,7
Inward qualities ad spiritual equipment
6:8-10
Paradoxical experiences of God’s servants
a) Is
there any affliction from outward circumstance that has recently beset you?
b) Is there any specific work of grace that you can thank God?
c) What paradoxical experiences are you prepared to face or have faced?
Prayers
(3 min.)
Consider
and commit all areas of service unto Him, and ask for a renewal of His strength
to press on.
Read
the text, note the structure and literary pattern of the selected passage (15
min)
Text: 2
Cor 6:11 - 7:4
Structure
A
6:11-13
Paul’s openness to the
Corinthian Christians
B 6:14-7:1
Christian privileges of
being called to God’s service
C 7:2-4
Paul’s pride in the Corinthian Christians
Key
points
A. Paul’s openness to the Corinthian
Christians (6:11-13)
–
Frank speech and open hearts
–
Paul and his co-workers were not restrained, as
the Corinthians were restrained in their affections
–
Speaking to them as children, as a fair
exchange, Paul urges them to open (a command) their hearts also.
B. Christian privileges (6:14-7:1)
v14 “do not become unequally yoke” (it is a command to cease doing what
has been done). It is not an
injunction against all association with unbelievers, if this is the case we
would have to leave this world (1 Cor 5:9, 10; 10:27).
However, there is a special case in 1 Cor 7:12-16, where the spouse
should remain married to the unbeliever as long as possible.
Why?
TWO major reasons
5
rhetorical questions – each demands a negative answer:
1st reason
(vv 14-16a)
For…
1. What partnership has righteousness with (kai “and”)
wickedness?
2. What fellowship has light with (pros “towards”) darkness?
3. What harmony has Christ with (pros “towards”) Belial
(lit. “worthlessness” or
the abyss or Shoel, i.e. the Devil)?
4. What commonality has the believer with (meta “beside”)
the unbeliever?
5. What agreement has the temple of God with (meta “beside”)
idols?
Form your conclusion……………………………………………………………..
2nd reason
(v 16b)
For…
We
are a temple of the living God (cf 1Cor
3:16)
On
what basis?
v 16b God’s promises
to His covenant people
(Lev 26:11,12; Exod 6:7; Jer 32:38; Eze 37:27)
Therefore v17a
“Come
out (a command) of (Babylon => pagan idolatry) …”
(Isa 52:11)
v17b
“..I will receive you” (Eze
20:34; 41)
v18 Father,
sons and daughters (2 Sam 7:14a cf Hos 1:10)
C.
Paul’s Pride in the Corinthian Christians (7:2-4)
Make
room for us (connecting to 6:11,13).
The
situation in the church of Corinth is not perfect. In spite of his frustrations, and in the
midst of his
afflictions, Paul has great confidence in them, and is proud of them.
Discussion
questions (40 min)
Q1
What is your conclusion to the five questions in vv 14-16a?
(cf 1 Cor 10:21)
Q2 Why are you convinced of this conclusion?
Q3 In view of these (emphatic) promises (in vv 16b, 17b and 18), are you not privileged to be called to God’s service?
What
is your response?
a)
6:17
Therefore let us ……………
…………………………………………………
b) 7:1 Since we have these promises, let us …..……….…………………………..
Personal
Application (No sharing. Take home)
The OT
purification rites are no longer valid since Jesus’ death on the cross, but
yet religious people all over the world try to purify themselves from sins, why
is it so?
How do
you apply 2 Cor 7:1?
“Let
us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of the body and spirit and make
holiness perfect in the fear of God” (RSV)
{Additional
helps: Matt 5; Romans 6-8; 12:1, 9-21; 13:1-14; Eph 4:17-31; Phi 2:1-16 cf
3:2-4; Col 3:1-17; 1 Pet 1:13-20; 2:11-12,21-23; 2 Pet 1:3-11; Jude 25}
Spiritual
cleansing according to the bible calls for a surrendered life, a crucified life,
a life of faith and holiness – the way of Christ.
The topics of holiness and spirituality cannot be covered adequately in
any series of bible studies. Those
who have done the bible studies on the Sermon of the Mount (Matt 5:3ff) can
testify to it. Do take time to read, understand and apply the lessons of
holiness and spirituality throughout your life on earth.
Reference: Frank E. Gaebelein. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol 10. Murray Harris, 2 Corinthians.