2 Corinthians 6:1-4 KJV
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
There is a subtle change that takes place between this chapter and chapter four. Chapter four is primarily about the preacher. But in chapter six, the shift is from the preacher alone to all the members of the church.
First of all, there is in verse one the word "together."
So now the preacher is a "worker(s) together" with Christ and with the members of the church.
Secondly, there is the word "We."
Often when I preach I use the term "we" instead of "me" or "you." Most preachers do that. We are in the work of the Lord as a team.
It is not "me" versus "you."
It is not "me" or "you."
It is not even "me" and "you."
It is "we." God does not have two separate classes of Christians; some called preachers and some called laymen. We are a body. We are one.
Thirdly there is the word "ourselves."
And it is used in much the same manner as "we." It unites the members of the church with the preacher.
And in this case, it means that the patience, afflictions, necessities, distresses and so forth is not merely speaking of the preacher but of all the members. We endure these things together so that we give no offense and the ministry be not blamed. God may then be glorified in us, and more souls may come to know the Saviour.
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
There is a subtle change that takes place between this chapter and chapter four. Chapter four is primarily about the preacher. But in chapter six, the shift is from the preacher alone to all the members of the church.
First of all, there is in verse one the word "together."
So now the preacher is a "worker(s) together" with Christ and with the members of the church.
Secondly, there is the word "We."
Often when I preach I use the term "we" instead of "me" or "you." Most preachers do that. We are in the work of the Lord as a team.
It is not "me" versus "you."
It is not "me" or "you."
It is not even "me" and "you."
It is "we." God does not have two separate classes of Christians; some called preachers and some called laymen. We are a body. We are one.
Thirdly there is the word "ourselves."
And it is used in much the same manner as "we." It unites the members of the church with the preacher.
And in this case, it means that the patience, afflictions, necessities, distresses and so forth is not merely speaking of the preacher but of all the members. We endure these things together so that we give no offense and the ministry be not blamed. God may then be glorified in us, and more souls may come to know the Saviour.
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