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Let Us Cleanse Ourselves from Every Defilement of Flesh and Spirit

  Let Us Cleanse Ourselves from Every Defilement of Flesh and Spirit   2 Corinthians 7:1 – 2: "Therefore, beloved (*agapetoi*), having these promises, let us perfect holiness in the fear of God and cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit (*molysmos sarkos kai pneumatos*). Make room for us in your hearts (*ch ō r ē sate*); we have wronged no one (*ephtheiramen*), harmed no one, and exploited no one (*epleonekt ē samen*)." *Agapetoi* refers to those loved by the Lord — meaning us, including Paul and the saints of the Corinthian church. *Molysmos sarkos kai pneumatos* refers to that which defiles both the flesh and the spirit. Here, *sarkos* does not mean the physical body (*s ō ma*), but rather the "body of sin" (flesh). The "defilement of flesh and spirit" relates to the state where the spirit is dead due to the body of sin; the remedy is believing that the body of sin has died through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Roma...
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Open Your Hearts Wide

  Open Your Hearts Wide   2 Corinthians 6:11 – 13: "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, and our hearts have been opened wide. You are not restricted in us, but you are restricted in your own affections (*splanchnois*). I speak as to children (*teknois*); open wide (*platynthete*) your hearts also in return (*auten antimisthian*)." The statement that our mouths have been opened means there is a word God delivers through our mouths. The fact that our hearts have been widened means God is enabling your hearts to be widened through us. *Splanchnois* ( σπλ ά γχνοι ς ) refers to the bowels or inner parts. In the context of being "restricted in your bowels," it refers to the "belly" from which living water flows — signifying the place where *ho Logos* (the Word) dwells within the believer's spirit. The term implies the womb where a fetus resides; just as a fetus receives life-sustaining nourishment, the believer receives the water of life fro...
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As Servants of God in Everything

  As Servants of God in Everything   2 Corinthians 6:4 – 10: "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." Paul describes what it means to be a servant of God. He speaks of both his own self-assessment and how others viewed him in his role as a servant. Regarding himself, he acts with the mindset of "dying daily"; regarding other...
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"Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

  "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."   2 Corinthians 6:1 – 2: "As fellow workers (*synergountes*) with God, we urge (*parakaloumen*) you not to receive God ’ s grace (*t ē n charin tou Theou*) in vain. For He says, 'In the time of favor (*kair ō *) I listened to you (*ep ē kousa*), and in the day of salvation I helped you (*ebo ē th ē sa*).' Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." *Synergountes* implies not merely working *for* God, but ministering *together with* God. *Parakaloumen* signifies God ’ s exhortation delivered through Paul. *T ē n charin tou Theou* refers to *that* specific grace of God — grace given to one as a minister of the Holy Spirit and of the Word. In Greek, there are two words for time: *kairos* (God ’ s appointed time) and *chronos* (chronological or physical time). The "time" when God bestows grace is a moment determined by God Himself. The phr...
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