Do Not Receive God’s Grace in Vain

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Key Verse 6:1 

1. Read verses 1 and 2. What does it mean to “receive God’s grace in vain”? What causes a person to receive God’s grace in vain? Why should one be careful not to receive God’s grace in vain? (2)

 

2. Read verses 3-10. Compare the following expressions with what Paul says in verse 3. Why did he go through so many difficulties? What do the following expressions in verses 4-10 indicate about the nature of the grace the Corinthians received?  

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; and 

having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 

3. Read verses 11-13. What does “you are withholding yours from us” indicate about the Corinthians’ relationship with Paul? Why is it important for them to open their hearts wide to God’s servants (such as the Apostle Paul)? (Cf. 2Co 5:20)

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