Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace
As God’s fellow workers, 1 then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. Heb 12:151Co 3:91Pe 4:102Co 5:18-20Gal 2:21Rom 12:12Co 8:1-2Gal 4:11-12 For He says: Isa 49:8Heb 4:7Heb 3:13Isa 61:2Heb 3:7Luk 19:42-44Luk 4:19Ezk 16:8
“In the time of favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.” 2
Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry. Rom 14:131Co 9:121Co 10:32-331Co 9:22Mat 17:27Mat 18:61Co 10:23-241Co 8:9-13
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; 2Co 12:102Co 4:82Co 11:271Co 4:11-12Rom 8:35-36Rom 5:3-4Php 4:11-121Co 3:5 in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; 2Co 11:23-252Co 11:27Act 17:5Act 19:23-34Heb 11:361Co 15:101Co 4:111Co 7:5 in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; Eph 4:32Col 1:27Eph 4:2Gal 5:222Co 12:152Co 2:42Co 3:3Gal 3:5 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 2Co 4:22Co 10:4-52Ti 2:15Eph 6:11-201Th 5:82Co 13:4Eph 3:202Ti 4:7 through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine; 1Pe 4:14Mat 27:631Ti 4:10Act 24:5Act 28:22Rev 3:93Jn 1:12Act 10:22 as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; 2Co 4:10-11Rom 8:362Co 1:8-102Co 4:21Co 4:92Co 11:6Psa 118:17-181Co 11:32 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. Jhn 16:222Co 8:9Jas 2:5Rev 2:91Pe 1:6-81Ti 4:8Heb 10:34Php 4:4
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide. 2Co 12:152Co 7:3-4Psa 119:32Php 1:82Co 2:41Sa 2:1Gal 3:1Php 4:15 It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained. 2Co 7:2Mic 2:7Php 1:81Jn 3:17Job 36:16Ecc 6:9Pro 4:12 As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also. 1Jn 3:183Jn 1:41Co 4:14-151Jn 2:11Jn 3:71Th 2:111Jn 2:12-141Jn 5:14-15
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 1Co 15:331Co 10:21Jas 4:4Eph 5:6-14Lev 19:191Pe 2:9-10Psa 26:4-5Deu 22:9-11 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? 3 Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 1Co 10:20-211Jn 5:11-131Ki 18:211Sa 5:2-4Act 5:14Act 8:20Ezr 4:3Mrk 16:16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: Rev 21:3Exo 29:45Heb 8:10Lev 26:12Ezk 37:26-27Jer 32:381Co 3:16-17Ezk 11:20
“I will dwell with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be My people.” 4
“Therefore come out from among them Isa 52:11Rev 18:42Co 7:1Psa 1:1-3Num 16:26Ezr 10:11Pro 9:6Act 2:40
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.” 5
And: Jhn 1:12Rev 21:72Sa 7:14Rom 8:14-17Gal 4:5-7Gal 3:26Jer 31:9Rom 8:29
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be My sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.” 6