2 Corinthians 5 and 6 — Separated by Grace

Introduction: Paul set forth the underlying comfort that exceeds all manner of trials we might face, as we know when we are absent from our earthly body, we will be present forever with the Lord. This is a message of unmatched reconciliation as the Lord has covered our sin that we may thereby be with our Creator. While we are still in the body we should maintain appropriate separation from the world. When we received salvation in Christ our bodies became part of the temple of God!

NOTE: Bible passages are from the American KJV.


A — We Walk by Faith with the Hope We Have in Christ

2 Corinthians 5 “1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed on with our house which is from heaven… 5 Now he that has worked us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Why we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.”

Comments: Just as the circumcision of the heart is done without hands, the eternal dwelling place for our spirit, after the death of our earthly body, is prepared by the Lord. God has prepared this new life and has given us the unchangeable guarantee by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within our earthly body. This gives us confidence as we keep in our thoughts that while still in this body, we await being absent from the body to be present with the Lord. We continue to live in the physical world by faith, and not by visualizing what is to come. We should always keep in mind the goal to use whatever gifts of abilities we have received that we might please our Lord. Romans 8:19–25 speaks of the earnest expectation of all creation waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, as we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan within ourselves, waiting for the redemption of our body. 1 Corinthians 15:42–47 describes the resurrection body: sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body.


B — Christ Has Given to Us a Ministry of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5 “14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again… 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God. 21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Comments: Paul wanted the Corinthians to take great pleasure as their daily conduct was truly from the heart, in contrast to those who consciously put on a show. For the love of Christ keeps us within proper boundaries — realizing that if one died for all, then all were dead in sin, and new life was provided when Christ rose from the grave; and we should now live for Him. We can no longer know Christ as he had existed in the flesh, and all those who believe in Christ also are now new creations in Christ. Old things of the temporal world are to be in the past, and all things are made new. God has brought us into a relationship by removing the separation of sin for those who believe in Christ. Paul and his companions were ambassadors for Christ, earnestly urging the readers to be reconciled to God. Verse 21 is certainly a wonderful statement for an ambassador of Christ to use: “he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”


C — Do Not Receive the Grace of God in Vain

2 Corinthians 6 “1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3 Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings… 10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Comments: Because Paul identified himself as working together with Christ, he urged the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain. Hebrews 12:14–17 gives a similar warning using Esau who despised his birthright as an example of failing the grace of God. Paul used Isaiah 49:8 prophetically speaking of the coming Messiah, where the LORD says “In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you.” Titus 2:11–14 reinforces that the grace of God teaches us to live soberly and righteously as we look for the blessed hope of the appearing of Christ. Paul was patiently determined not to give any offense, as he did not want his ministry for the Lord to be blamed for improper presentation of the truth. The despicable ways some men viewed them was just the opposite of their true circumstances: “always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”


D — Be Separated and the Lord Said He Will Receive You

2 Corinthians 6 “11 O you Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged… 14 Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Why come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, said the Lord Almighty.”

Comments: Paul was very open in the way he shared from his heart with the Corinthians, and he appealed to them as a loving father giving advice to his cherished children. He used the term “unequally yoked together” to represent very close relationships with unbelievers as though they had the same goals and desires in whatever they did together. It is important for believers to recognize the need to apply the separation of righteousness they have in Christ from worldly unrighteousness. Paul reminds the readers to think in terms that Christ would not have harmony or agreement of interests with a satanic personification of wickedness and ungodliness. Those who have put their trust in God are indwelt by the Spirit of God, and thus each individual believer is part of the temple dwelling place of the living God. The LORD told Moses: Leviticus 26:12 “I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you… you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”


Reflections in Prayer

Lord I thank you for the way I found these parts of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians as very thought provoking for my own walk in life before my Savior. I realized that some of the weaknesses that were described can too often apply to me. I need to have more determination to offer worship to my God by proper use of the talents and abilities I have been given from Your hand. But there also was tremendous blessing in the reminder that when life in this present body is over, there will be a far superior life in an eternal home where there is no sin and no sorrow, only the joy of a true understanding of humble worship of my LORD and Savior. Amen, and amen!

Published 11 December 2020