(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.1"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. )
Grace Through Trials
- And working together with Him, we also encourage you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
- For He says, “I heard you in an acceptable season; and I rushed to your aid in a day of salvation.“1quotation/allusion to Isaiah 49:8 Behold; now is the season of favor. Behold; now is the day of salvation.
- We’re putting nothing offensive in anyone’s way, so the ministry won’t be discredited.
- But in everything we’re establishing ourselves as God’s servants by much endurance in afflictions, in distresses, in calamities,
- in beatings, in imprisonments, in chaos, in exhaustion, in sleepless nights, in fasts,
- in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in benevolence,2“benevolence” this Greek word refers to kindness that is both practical (meeting real needs) and morally upright. It also contains the idea of integrity. in the Holy Spirit, in sincere ^love,
- in the word of truth, in God’s power through the war equipment3“war equipment” is one word in Greek. It refers to the various tools, implements, and weapons used to wage war. The Greek word is “ὅπλον” (hoplon), which was one name for the large shield from which the “Hoplites” in the ancient Grecian military got their name. of righteousness in the right hand and the left hand.
- Through glory and disgrace, through praise and slander, regarded as deceivers and yet true,
- as being unknown and yet being fully known, as dying and behold we live, as being disciplined, and not being put to death.
- As being grieved, but always rejoicing; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
- Our mouth has opened freely to you Corinthians; our heart has grown for you.
- You aren’t restrained by us, but you’re restrained in your feelings.
- And in return for the same, (I speak as to children) you must also be grown.
Don’t Become Unequally Yoked
- Don’t become unequally yoked4“unequally yoked” is literal. A “yoke” is a contoured wooden beam used to join two beast of burden (cows, oxen, etc.) together so they can pull a heavy load together. with unbelievers. For what alliance do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what association does light have with darkness ?
- And what harmony does the Anointed have with Belial?5“Belial” is likely a reference to Satan. It likely comes from a Hebrew word which means “worthlessness”. This could also be a play on words with a double meaning, asking: “what does someone who’s anointed (to God) have in common with worthlessness?” Or what portion6“portion” this Greek word sometimes referred to the division of an inheritance, which is likely the sense here. Unbelievers and believers have a different “inheritance”, and thus can’t share it. can a believer share with an unbeliever?
- And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are the living God’s temple, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them. And I will be their God and they will be My people.“7quotation/allusion to Leviticus 26:11-12, & Ezekiel 37:27
- Therefore, “come out from their midst and be separated“8quotation/allusion to Isaiah 52:11 says the Lord. “And don’t touch an impure thing“9continued quotation/allusion to Isaiah 52:11 and I will welcome you.
- And “I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me says the Lord Almighty.”
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