Paul defended his life and ministry in the first five chapters. His enemies at Corinth accused him of wrong methods and motives, and he answered their accusations.
“Receive not the grace of God in vain,” vv. 1-13
A. Paul’s Appeal, vv. 1-2 and Isaiah 49:8
1. The Corinthians received God’s grace, but failed to grow.
If you really are in Christ you must show that you have thereby become “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The branches of the true Vine must bear fruit.
2. The Corinthians failed to follow Paul’s example.
B. Paul’s Battles, vv. 3-5
1. Beaten and imprisoned
2. Faced angry mobs
3. Worked to exhaustion
4. Endured sleepless nights and hunger
C. Paul’s Weapons, vv. 6-7
1. God’s Word
2. The Armor of God
D. Paul’s Reputation, vv. 8-10
1. He is honest, yet called a liar, v. 8.
2. Known, yet unknown, v. 9a.
3. Dying, yet he lives, v. 9b.
4. Sorrowful, yet he always rejoices, v. 10a.
5. Poor, yet he makes many rich, v. 10b.
6. Possesses nothing, yet he possesses everything, v. 10c.
“Come out from among them, and be ye separate,” vv. 14-18
A. The attitude of too many Christians is that the church should court and please the world in order to win them.
B. There must be separation from sin. This does not mean isolation, retreating form the world; but it does mean keeping ourselves from the defilement of the world.
C. It is fine for the ship to be in the water, but when the water gets into the ship, look out!
D. Benefits of Separation:
1. God will live in them, v. 16b.
2. God will walk among them, v. 16c-17.
3. God will be a Father to them, v. 18.