2 Corinthians 6
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We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
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Commentary
In just eighteen verses II Corinthians 6 offers enough Christ-centered insights to keep one busy for a long time! In verses one and two Paul says not to receive the grace of God in vain and to make “today” a day of salvation (See also Hebrews 3:7,8).
Verses four and five present a series of negative and horrible circumstances, but in verses six and seven Paul offers incredibly effective solutions! Then in verses eight to ten, in call and answer fashion, Paul contrasts positive experiences with very unpleasant ones, culminating with a most poignant appeal in verses eleven to thirteen that asks his Corinthian church to open their hearts and their love to him and his fellow ministers.
Suddenly, in an unexpected turn of thought, Paul finishes the chapter (verses fourteen to eighteen) with an eloquent appeal to maintain their Christian distinctiveness so that God will “live and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Verse sixteen, Williams translation). What a lofty ambition for all Christians!
David Grams
Chaplain, Hartland College, Rapidan, Virginia USA
