Christian Distinctiveness
CHRISTIAN DISTINCTIVENESS
2 CORINTHIANS 6:11–7:1
Although as Christians we still live in this evil world, we really do not belong here. Paul reminds us to be different.
From a passionate statement of the apostolic ministry in 6:3-10 we read of an even more intense expression of Paul’s yearning over the Corinthian congregation. Read 6:11-13 and then 7:2, and you will see why many scholars hold that the intervening section, 6:14–7:1, forms a separate block, either as a digression in Paul’s thought or an interpolation of a fragment of another letter from him.
7:11-13 are indeed an impressive revelation of Paul’s inner feelings, which are continued in the same vein in 7:2: “Our mouth is open to you” sounds rather old-fashioned for the simple and frank confession “We’ve let ourselves go,” in speaking without reserve or restraint. This is then matched by 7:2: “Open your hearts to us,” that is, “don’t be reserved, but let me know exactly how you feel, because of the mutual trust and regard we have for one another.” There must have been a happy bond of understanding formerly existing between Paul and the Corinthians, and he doesn’t want to lose it. In fact, this is something of an ideal which we should cherish today; and the Christian fellowship is fortunate where mutual respect and trust make it possible for a free, uninhibited exchange of views and convictions—and criticisms!
The digression of 6:14-18 turns on the contrast between Christian and pagan morality, with analogies drawn from the Old Testament. In this way Paul establishes the need for God’s people not to compromise their high ethical standards, but maintain “the ideal of the Christian life. Here is something to be overcome and put away; something to be worked out and completed; a spiritual element or atmosphere—only the fear of God—in which these tasks can be accomplished” (Denney, updated).
Notes 6:15: Belial = the Hebrew form of an Aramaic word meaning “worthlessness, good-for-nothing,” used in intertestamental literature for Satan. 6:16: see 1 Corinthians 3:16.