2 Corinthians 6:1-13

1. Paul’s first visit was a year and a half, and his later visit was three months.
2. Old Corinth was hundreds of years old when the city defied the Roman Empire and was destroyed utterly. By 51 CE, the new Corinth was five times the size of Athens, an important trade stop, and home to new business people who were interested in prosperity, not tradition. There were temples but no dominant religion.
3 “we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain” Some scholars believe this is a reference to those in Corinth who are backsliders, and have strayed from the Church, some scholars believe that these are “the seeds that have fallen on rock” and have wandered away from the church, and some believe that this is a reference to those in Corinth who do not accept Paul and are antagonistic to his ideas.(Judith Gundry-Volf (http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/61-13/ )

4. “you are withholding yours from us”
This is an explicit reference to some sort of split between some folks in Corinth and Paul.

5. “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor” This is a reference to a passage in Isaiah

6. with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left
The offense sword is in right hand and the defensive shield in the left.

7. our ministry will not be discredited - (mocked)
Paul wants to make sure his ministry does not stand in the way of the Gospel.
8. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Takeaway

The two questions about the passage are, who is it for and why.

The message was sent to folks who disagreed with Paul, or to folks whose Christian walk was inadequate.
Paul’s request was that everyone treat each other in a loving manner.

1.Paul emphasized speaking directly to those who had problems with scripture or with Paul
2.Churches wander, sometimes off the track.
3. It is not wrong to discuss problems with other Christians, in a polite but firm way
4. Paul’s emphasis is on his absolute humility, and service. His goal is God’s plan.

The point of the passage is, if you have a disagreement with someone else, in particular another Christian, have it with a loving heart.