2 Corinthians 6:14-7:16

Corinth

Corinth Canal

Corinth Canal

2 Corinthians So Far• 2 Corinthians 1:1-14• OUR MUTUAL SUFFERING GIVES EVIDENCE OF OUR

CLOSE RELATIONSHIP• 1:15-2:11• OUR CHANGE OF PLANS IS NOT EVIDENCE THAT WE

DID YOU WRONG, BUT SHOWS OUR LOVE FOR YOU• 2:12-3:11• GOSPEL MINISTRY IS A VICTORY PARADE• YOU ARE EVIDENCE THAT OUR MINISTRY IS

AUTHENTIC• OUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS THE SURPASSING

GLORY OF THE NEW COVENANT, THE GOSPEL

2 Corinthians So Far• 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6• WE HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE AS WE PROCLAIM

THE NEW COVENANT• 4:7-5:10• WE ENDURE GREAT PAINS FOR YOUR BENEFIT,

KNOWING THAT ETERNAL GLORY AWAITS• 5:11-6:2• THE LOVE OF CHRIST OFFERS US ONLY ONE

OPTION—TO PROCLAIM RECONCILIATION

2 Corinthians So Far• 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1• THE CHARACTER OF OUR MINISTRY MAKES

EVIDENT OUR LOVE FOR YOU• DO NOT BE YOKED TO UNBELIEVERS• 7:5-7:16• RECOGNIZE THE FELLOWSHIP YOU HAVE WITH US• OUR REACTION TO TITUS’ ARRIVAL REFLECTED

OUR LOVE FOR YOU• PAIN CAME FOR YOUR GOOD• WE REJOICED IN TITUS’ JOY

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4• 1. What answer must be given to each of the five

questions Paul raised? (14-16)• No harmony between God / believers with

evil /unbelievers.• 2. Why separate ourselves from these things of

darkness? How do we do that?• God is separated from them, so should we

be, if we are united with God. With God’s help alone.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4• 3. Why are Christians the temple of God? What

implication does that have for us? (16)• In the Old Testament, God “lived” in the

temple, a physical dwelling place located in Jerusalem. Today he lives in the temple made up of the living stones of God’s people. How can anything impure or evil live in God’s temple? It can’t.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4• 4. There are two sides to a Christian’s life. Can

you find those two sides in verses 6:17–7:1?• Paul says we should be separate from evil.

He also says we should purify ourselves from everything that contaminates our bodies and souls. 

• 5. How does Paul feel about the Corinthian Christians? (verses 3,4)

• He has opened his heart to them, and he would give up his life for them.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4• 6. The Corinthians were joining themselves with

unbelievers. What are some ways you have been, or perhaps still are, guilty of doing this? What can you do to get out of this situation? (6:14-7:1)

• Christians may be close friends with unbelievers, or they may enjoy the entertainment of the world by watching movies and TV shows that depict sin of one sort or another.

• Focus on Christ and what he did to make you his own and ask God for help.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:4• 7. Describe a situation in which parishioners

today might do well to open their hearts to their pastor or one of their teachers? (7:2-7:4)

• Sometimes parishioners shut their hearts to a God-fearing pastor who wants to preach the gospel to them. Perhaps he has had to tell his congregation difficult things, and the members are letting him know their disfavor. Parishioners should honor pastors who bring Christ to them and never shut their hearts to him.

2 Corinthians 7:5-16• 1. From verses 6-9, describe how the Corinthians had

responded to Paul’s letter (1 Corinthians) and to Titus’ ministry among them.

• They had shown respect and love for Paul and responded well to Titus’ work among them.  

• 2. Why, on the one hand, did Paul regret the sorrow he caused them and, on the other hand, not regret it?

• Pastors hate to make their flock feel the brunt of the law, but they know they must do this from time to time. They do not regret doing this, especially when their words lead the congregation to repent.  

2 Corinthians 7:5-16• 3. What is the difference between “godly sorrow”

and “worldly sorrow”? (10)• Godly sorrow is true sorrow leading to

repentance. Worldly sorrow is a hollow fear of getting caught, and because it is not coupled with faith, it leads to eternal death. 

2 Corinthians 7:5-16• 4. In verses 11-16, Paul lists for the Corinthians all

the fruits of faith the Holy Spirit worked in their hearts. Can you list them?

• In verse 11, Paul lists their earnestness (zeal, eagerness), eagerness to clear yourselves, indignation (hate of something), alarm (godly fear and alarm), longing (desire), concern (zeal, ardor), readiness to see justice done. Titus was refreshed by them, and Paul was not embarrassed by his confidence in them. They respected Titus and submitted to his instruction.

2 Corinthians 7:5-16• 5. A pastor lays before the congregation a

challenge to practice church discipline or encourages them to do some other difficult thing. Certainly he prays that the congregation follow his will. But there is another important benefit when a congregation rises to the challenge. What is it?

• The members see just how spiritually-minded they are and how willing they are to follow the leadership of their God-given pastor. This is a great source of encouragement and spiritual blessing for the congregation.