Being a worker with Him- Part 2

By: Scott Morton

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. [2] (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.) [3] Giving no offence 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 labours, in watchings, in fastings; [6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; [9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; [10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

As we continue looking at this passage, we see how the Apostle Paul starts to describe the fact of approving as the ministers of God. Based on how they were conducting themselves according to the doctrine, this would be the case. The question comes up of in whose eyes would this approval be:

Galatians 1:10

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

The approval being sought should always be that of God. Man does by nature the things which are contrary to God and follows the course of this world. This course reflects the things which are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16), which are part of who has control of the world (Ephesians 2:2). This is why Paul speaks over and over again about the wisdom of men and how this does not reflect the things of God.

The plan of God is laid out in His Word, which is why we are told to study it so we can be approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15). The Word gives us the information on how to properly live as the ministers we are supposed to be. We cannot get this from any other source.

We also see how Paul spoke of this earlier in the same epistle and used it to describe how we should function with each other:

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Here Paul is speaking about how there is a ministry which has been given to us. Many think this is something which is just given to those who are in the positions of authority in a local assembly. They feel they are able to not really have to do anything and everyone else will keep things going. The Apostle Paul makes it very clear that this is the responsibility of all individuals who are part of the Body of Christ. This is why he speaks about how they had been doing these things which he lists out here. It is also why he speaks to those in Thessalonica and speaks about how he knew the manner of men they were (1 Thessalonians 1:5). He knew this because the Word of God had been working in them and produced the changes.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto 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 ye reconciled to God. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

These are the verses which had been written right before what we are looking at here. This would have been the ministry he was speaking of, so there would not have been the confusion some have today. Paul identifies how we are ambassadors for Christ. This is something which describes every member of the Body of Christ. In order to understand what Paul is speaking of here, the following is the definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

AMBAS'SADOR, n.

[This is the more common orthography; but good authors write also embassador; and as the orthography of embassy is established, it would be better to write embassador. See Embassador.]

EMBAS'SADOR, n.

1. A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. Embassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity.

2. In ludicrous language, a messenger.

(Note: The definition for embassador is included here because of the writing of the dictionary. All usage going forward will reflect ambassador.)

The role of an ambassador is to represent whoever has put them in this position. The United States has an ambassador to just about every country in the world. This individual represents the interests of our country and states what is the official position of the United States on various topics. In a similar manner this is how we are to function. We are an ambassador for Christ. We are to be representing Him in our daily lives, proclaiming the message He would have delivered to this world. This is a lofty position to have in this crooked and perverse nation, as Paul calls it in the book of Philippians. We should be striving to do this, which means the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) should be proclaimed on a regular basis.

As Paul continues in this passage we see that he gives a number of characteristics which are to describe the ministers we are supposed to be. The first of these is patience. Here is the definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

PATIENCE, n. pa'shens. [L. patientia, from patior, to suffer.]

1. The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. Patience may spring from constitutional fortitude, from a kind of heroic pride, or from Christian submission to the divine will.

2. A calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or discontent.

3. The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent.

Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Mat 18.

4. Perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion.

He learnt with patience, and with meekness taught.

5. The quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge.

His rage was kindled and his patience gone.

6. Sufferance; permission. [Not used.]

7. A plant, a species of rumex of dock.

This is showing the calmness which is supposed to be present in our lives. This can be a difficult thing, especially with all of the various things which go in our lives and in the world. This is why we see the Apostle Paul speaks about how this patience comes about for believers:

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: [2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Here we have the Apostle Paul speaking about how the things we go through in life, the tribulations, bring about patience. The way the patience comes is because we eventually are able to get through whatever is going on and are able to move forward. Because we are successful in doing so, the patience is built up and we are able to utilize the experience and hope which also result from this.

There are some individuals who will say if an individual starts praying to God for patience he is going to give them tribulation in their life. Is this what truly happens in the dispensation of grace? Is God really punishing individuals who are identified in His Son? There is nothing which says these things are directly coming from God.

Paul does list the next thing in the list as affliction and speaks about how these things come from the world. Some of these things the individuals in Corinth were already aware of:

Acts 18:5-13

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. [6] And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. [7] And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. [8] And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. [9] Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: [10] For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. [11] And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. [12] And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, [13] Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

This passage shows the things which happened when Paul had traveled to Corinth and was starting to preach to them. They rejected the message and there was an insurrection which happened. These saints witnessed individuals getting attacked for their stand related to this message. This affliction could not have been caused by God, as they were faithful and God does not punish those who are doing right. This is similar to the things Paul says happened to him:

2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. [24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Reading through this list can seem to be a scary thing. These were just the things which had happened to the Apostle Paul by the time he wrote this epistle. For many individuals this would have been enough to stop them from what they were doing. Paul continues on through all of these things and functions exactly as God would have him to do. He understands the fact that these afflictions are temporary and light (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) and are going to bring about glory for him. This can be a struggle for us to see when we are going through certain things in our lives, but this is where we can get the comfort to be able to get through them.

This is sometimes where individuals who understand grace struggle. There can be a tendency to not want to pray for individuals who are going through things in their lives, as they will point to Paul saying God's grace is sufficient and how we should be rejoicing in our infirmities as the Apostle Paul did. While there might be good intentions behind saying these things, there also is a cruelty which goes along with it. We are all members of the Body of Christ, which is to be functioning as a family. We need to be able to provide comfort in any way we can, which does include prayer. Paul tells us to pray for all things, which would include praying for those who are dealing with the afflictions which are on them. Do we really think that nobody prayed for Paul when he was going through the afflictions he mentions?

As part of these afflictions, we can see how Paul brings up the issue of the necessities of life, or the lack thereof. Paul speaks about how he dealt with this:

Philippians 4:9-12

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. [10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul speaks about how he learned through his life to be able to deal with the good times and the bad times. He was able to find a sense of joy when he had all of the things he needed on a daily basis and still had the same joy when there was a lack of things. This is something he could only have because of who he is in Christ and knowing this is going to be the source of strength which would get him through whatever he is dealing with.

Paul then starts to speak about the distresses which cam upon him:

2 Corinthians 1:8

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

We can see how the Apostle Paul speaks of everything which he was dealing with at the time. He speaks about how he despaired even of life. He was experiencing depression to the point of where he had despair at times about keeping going. This reflects who he was as a person to be feeling with way. This would have been outside of Christ and he would have been using the Lord Jesus Christ to get him through these thoughts and feelings he was experiencing.

It is clear what he was going through and we see it recorded in the book of Acts:

Acts 19:23-41

And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. [24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; [25] Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. [26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: [27] So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. [28] And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. [29] And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. [30] And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. [31] And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. [32] Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. [33] And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. [34] But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. [35] And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? [36] Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. [37] For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. [38] Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. [39] But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. [40] For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. [41] And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

We see from this passage one of the times Paul and those traveling with him encountered problems during the book of Acts. They were repeatedly running into problems as they were carrying out what God asked them to do. Many individuals would have given up throughout this, as they would not have wanted to deal with all of these things. It is clear that Paul made it through these things because of the strength given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ to endure them (Philippians 4:13).

Paul brings up the next issue as the stripes which he had received. This is where he is starting to speak about some of the specifics about what he encountered. When looking at this issue, we can see there was a restriction which had been put in place by the Word of God:

Deuteronomy 25:1-3

If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. [2] And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number. [3] Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

We see under the law there was a restriction of how many times they could actually whip someone. Paul states he received this from the Jews five times when he speaks later in this epistle (2 Corinthians 11:23-24) and also says that the stripes he had were above measure. This would seem to indicate this would have happened from others as well to where he could not count the times. This would have had a significant impact on him, as there would have needed to be time for some healing to occur after each one and there would have been difficulty traveling to the next place to preach the Word of God given to him. This would have been something which could have had an impact on his ability to continue. Instead, we see Paul say:

Galatians 6:17

From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

The Apostle Paul is wearing these things as a badge of honor. It showed he was remaining faithful to what was given to him.

Paul brings up imprisonments in this list. We know he was cast into prison many times during his ministry. Acts 16 shows him in Philippi cast into a prison cell and he uses the opportunity to preach to the jailor who was keeping them there. Several of his epistles were written during this time and he even speaks about how he led Onesimus to salvation during this time. Paul never allowed the circumstances in his life to negatively impact his responsibility as an ambassador for Christ.

Paul next speaks about the issue of tumults, or fights. This was something which came about from the issue of going places and teaching this message. Since this was something new being taught, there was going to be opposition to the teachings. This is where we see the Apostle Paul speak about things such as contending for the faith. We are to be boldly proclaiming the message of grace to individuals who need to hear it.

There is a fine line between this and the warnings given of to not be a brawler or striker. While we are to be proclaiming this message we are not to be going out looking for fights on purpose. This is where individuals can get themselves caught up, as they want to be going out and fighting, as they think this is some badge of honor to say they have done this. Paul is saying this is not what we should be doing, as this is truly not going to change the minds of individuals if they perceive us in this manner.

The next issue Paul speaks of is labors. He is speaking about the fact that they had to actually work for things. We see this being said of the Apostle Paul:

Acts 18:1-3

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; [2] And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. [3] And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

1 Corinthians 4:11-12

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; [12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

These two passages speak of his time in Corinth. He declared to them he had a right to demand support from them (1 Corinthians 9:6-11). We see there are times he does not take from areas he is in (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9) as he does not want to be chargeable to them (1 Thessalonians 2:9). This would mean he did not want to be in a position where he owed them because of the financial backing and the problems this could cause. We see this in some situations where people will change what they are saying or teaching because of the money which is being given to them and the fear of losing this.

The danger of working is that as the time spent on this increases it can pull someone away from what they are supposed to be doing as a member of the Body of Christ. This is where each individual needs to be able to find the proper balance of this in their life so they are able to stand properly.

Paul brings up the fastings they were doing. This was in place because there were still some things related to the law system happening during this time. There is no doctrinal reason to be fasting today.

We see there are some things which reflect the life we should live. Paul spoke of this to the assembly at Ephesus:

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Individuals will often focus on the fact we are saved by faith without works and will avoid what verse 10 is speaking of. There should be a change in who we are, based on the doctrine, which produces good things. We are to be a good influence on others and the community as a whole. This is a part of us functioning as ministers and where the Apostle Paul was instructing these believers to get to in their lives.