2 Corinthians 6:7-12
 
2 Cor 6:7 (KJB)
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
 
The armour - Weapon or instrument
 
Paul always spoke the truth by the power God. This is the dunamis power which is like the might of God. Paul spoke with authority because he knew the message he was bringing was not his own but from the Lord. Paul had spoken with the full armor of God as he was totally clothed in both offensive and defensive spiritual armor. It was in this strength that Paul was able to face any adversary which opposed him. By being completely clothed in the armor of Christ, he had no blind spot where the enemy could take advantage of him. He was able to respond with the full wisdom of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The word of truth that we use today is the Scriptures and not books about the Scriptures. This is the only way that we are able to speak with authority and defeat the enemy.
 
2 Cor 6:8 (KJB)
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
 
Paul states here that as a preacher of the truth he was perceived by his hearers in two ways. First, by those who would truly receive him and his message, he was given honor. To those who opposed him, he was looked at with dishonor. Then he was viewed as one whose hearers had received a good report of him that he was no hypocrite with an alternative agenda but on the other hand there were those who felt they received a bad report of Paul, no doubt from the false teachers in Corinth. Then those who received Paul would accept him and his message as being true but those who opposed him, would have considered him to be a deceiver. This verse is good insight because it tells us that as Christians, we will be perceived in like manner. Those who oppose the Gospel will make up many stories and reject us. Those who are true believers will accept us and not reject us. We must be prepared to be viewed in both ways.
 
2 Cor 6:9 (KJV)
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
 
Paul continues in his spiritual paradoxes. He states that he comes as one who is unknown but one who is well known. One thing he could always count on is that he was always known by the Father. Sometimes we bring the true Gospel and although we are unknown in the flesh, we are known by the Gospel we bring. He speaks of dying but yet he is living. He, as a human, had the sentence of death in himself but because of the fact that while our outward man perishes and our inner man is being renewed daily, Paul could claim that he was both dying and alive. He felt as if God was chastening him but not in a vindictive manner but in a Fatherly manner. It was like he was being disciplined but not unto death, but unto life.
 
2 Cor 6:10 (KJB)
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
 
Paul continues on by saying he is sorrowful yet he always rejoices. Those who have rejected him would have caused him much sorrow but even with those rejections, God is still working out His plan in Corinth. Paul was financially poor but because of the Gospel he was able to make many rich, spiritually rich that is, by bringing them the truth. Then he states that he was possessing nothing yet he possessed all things. Paul assessed his life in spiritual value and not material possessions. So he could easily say that he had everything. (Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: God has blessed His children with all spiritual blessings, this means, he left nothing out. As Christians, we may be financially poor but because of God’s promises, we have more than the richest man in the world.
 
2 Cor 6:11 (KJB)
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
 
Enlarged - Widened
 
Paul now opens up with an expression that his mouth is open to them, that is, he has opened his mouth and brought them the truth and spoke freely and honestly with them because his heart was enlarged with love for them. Paul never ceased to desire to see them walk in a way which would glorify God and manifest their salvation to the world.
 
2 Cor 6:12 (KJB)
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
 
Straitened - To confine, compress, or press closely
Bowels - Heart or showing affection
 
Here Paul uses a very strange analogy. He is stating that the Corinthians are not confined or restrained on his part. He has given himself totally to the ministry of the Corinthians. However, it was on their part that their love and acceptance of Paul was somehow confined. Their love for Paul was not at the level of Paul’s love for them. While he gave himself for them, they were entertaining the false teachers which caused them to doubt Paul and his ministry. Sometimes ministry can seem like a unilateral love.

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