When I read 2 Corinthians 6:10 and studied my way through it, so many things impacted me. The phrase “as sorrowful yet always rejoicing” reminded me of the example that what a sponge is filled with will come out when it is squeezed. Sorrowful is a passive participle. We are the receiver of the sorrow-ING; it’s something that comes from outward circumstances. There are many things in this life, in this world, that are squeezing us as believers. What’s inside will come out, like it or not.
What’s inside will come out, like it or not.
When Paul’s circumstances squeezed him, rejoicing (chairo) always came out. Can the same be said of me? I think not. Oh Spirit of the Living God, please fill me so full of Your control that rejoicing becomes my modus operandi. That kinda segues right into the next phrase — “as poor yet making many rich“. Our choices in how we act and react in this life always result in something. Does it make others wanna know more about Jesus, or does it give people the impression there is not much difference between a believer and themselves? Ouch…
Our choices in how we act and react in this life always result in something
The phrase “making many rich” is an active (not idle) participle (an ongoing action, not one-and-done) that means, to enrich. I looked up “enrich” in the dictionary: to make rich or richer, especially by the addition or increase of some desirable quality, attribute, or ingredient; to make a soil more fertile; to improve nutritional value. A couple of phrases in the definition impacted me.
Thinking about making soil more fertile makes me think of the parable of the soils. How do my words and actions positively affect the three types of soil that don’t really accept or promote the growth of the seed? I realize “I” am not responsible for maintaining the soil in another’s heart and mind, but my words can surely plant weeds in them if I’m not careful.
Then I consider the phrase “to improve nutritional value” and that makes me think of how we are commanded to help one another get better/stronger in the faith. We do that through our words and actions and reactions.
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace
and the building up of one another.” (Romans 14:19)
“For this reason I am writing these things while absent,
so that when present I need not use severity,
in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me
for building up and not for tearing down.” (2 Corinthians 13:10)
“For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry,
for the building up of the body of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:12)
“From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what
every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part,
causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)
Check out 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 in The Message. It packs a wallop for sure. Here’s one particular statement that impacted me a lot.
“Our work as God’s servants gets validated — or not — in the details.
People are watching us as we stay our post, alertly, unswervingly…
in hard times, tough times, bad times…”
How’s that for sobering…? This makes me think of a poem I learned years ago.
You’re writing a gospel, a chapter a day;
By deeds that you do, by words that you say.
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true.
Say, what is the gospel according to you?
(Paul Gilbert)