2 Corinthians 6:2-10

Working together with him (Christ), then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ² For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ³ We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴ but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵ beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶ by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; ⁷ by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸ through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

God gives us a description of what the ministry of His kingdom will entail.

He uses the word “in” to show the potential conditions that must be endured in the name of Jesus for reconciliation of God’s people to Him.

IN: Afflictions-Hardships-Calamities-Beatings-Imprisonment-Riots-Labors-Sleepless Nights-Hunger

We are to endure these conditions with the power found only in the Holy Spirit and in a way fitting a child of God. He uses the word “by” to show us the way and how we are to minister for His kingdom as we serve as facilitators to show the light of Christ to the world.

BY: Great Endurance-Purity-Knowledge-Patience-Kindness-The Holy Spirit-Genuine Love-Truthful      Speech-The Power of God

Knowing the conditions and the way we are to react to those conditions we see how the world will react. He uses “through” to show opposite ends of the landscape (reactions) that exists during the journey of ministry.

THROUGH: Honor-Dishonor-Slander-Praise

Being a child and minister for God causes a sanctification for you as you grow in the Spirit and bear fruit in your spiritual maturity. As you move toward holiness (become set apart) the world should take notice. As with most things that are different the reactions can be difficult and most likely will be seeing as you represent an opposition to the world, a light in the darkness. This group of verses concludes with a description of the sinful view of this world and the contrasting reality found in God. Although their hardened and sinful hearts will not allow them to see God’s truth. Praise God that He has chosen you to be set apart in service for Him. Become resolute in your position as a minister in God’s kingdom, a source of light to this dark and lost world.

Position in World’s View	Position In God’s Light
Imposter	True
Unknown	Well Known
Dying	Alive
Punished	Not Killed
Sorrowful	Rejoicing
Poor	Making Many Rich
Having Nothing	Possessing Everything