Believers are Exhorted Not to Cause Offense in Anything and Not to be Unequally
Yoked Together with Unbelievers
2 Corinthians 6

Lesson 8

background notes

doctrinal points

1. Believers should not offend unbelievers.
2. Believers should not be yoked together with unbelievers.

practical application

Let’s put the ball in our fellow believer’s court.

questions

1. What did Paul mean when he urged the Corinthians “not to receive the grace of God in vain”
   (2 Corinthians 6:1) ?
2. What will committed Christians experience when they share the gospel?
3. Why should believers continue to share the gospel despite these oppositions?
4. Will committed believers always have success in their ministry?
5. Why is it so important for believers to be separated from the evil of this world?

answers

1. It is a good possibility that 6:1-2 are still part of the message of reconciliation that began
   in 5:20. This exhortation would be part of our ministry of reconciliation as we preach to unbelievers.
2. The afflictions and hardships described in verses 4-5.
3. Because we have an important message to share and because we have truth on our side
   (verses 6-7).
4. No, all ministries will have ups and downs, mountain tops and valleys (verses 8-10).
5. The two realms of Christ and Satan are opposed to one another and there is no middle ground between them.

discuss/consider

1. In communicating the wonderful message of reconciliation to the world we are not to bring discredit on the ministry by offending unbelievers. Discuss how this would look when practically lived out in your life.
2. We most often hear 2 Corinthians 6:14 in reference to marriage between a believer and unbeliever. But it applies to any close relationship where you make personal commitments that would require you to compromise in your faith. Can you think of other examples of this?

challenge

Do you have broken fellowship with another believer? Do all that you can to settle any differences between you. Then the ball is in their court.

memorize

• “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
• “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God.” 2 Corinthians 6:3-4
• “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” 2 Corinthians 6:14