2 Corinthians6
New Living Translation
1As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.
2For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
3We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.
4In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
5We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.
6We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
7We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.
8We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.
9We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.
10Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
11Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.
12There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.
13I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
14Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?
15What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?
16And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
17Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
18And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (1–10). By affection for them, And by earnest concern, that they might have no fellowship with unbelievers and idolaters. (11–18).
vv1-10
The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.
vv11-18
It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear. Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault, may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they must expect must distress. The caution also extends to common conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and daughters of the Almighty?
Key Words
συνεργέω (synergéō): to be a fellow-worker, i.e. co-operate
παρακαλέω (parakaléō): to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
μή (mḗ): (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 (οὐ) expects an affirmative one)) whether
δέχομαι (déchomai): to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
χάρις (cháris): graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
κενός (kenós): empty (literally or figuratively)
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 6Direct Old Testament prophetic quotation regarding the Father hearing the Son in the accepted time.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Cited directly to prove God's promise to dwell, walk, and be a God among His people.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The direct prophetic basis for the command to come out and touch no unclean thing.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Continues the immediate context of the apostolic ministry as ambassadors of reconciliation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Detailed parallel of Paul's apostolic trials, including stripes, imprisonments, and labors.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The foundational Pentateuchal prohibition against making covenants or marriages with pagan unbelievers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels the incompatibility of partaking of the Lord's table and the table of devils.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes the specific metaphor of ministers working together with God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Exhortation to give no offense to Jews, Gentiles, or the church of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Elaborates on Paul's deep, enlarged affection and comfort in the Corinthians.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Old Testament promise of God acting as a Father to His redeemed people.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Demonstrates the contrast between Paul's open heart and their constrained response.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul speaks specifically in his role as their spiritual father instructing children.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical type of the utter incompatibility of placing the Ark beside Dagon.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic description of God placing His people as children and calling Him Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry