Paul paradoxically validates his apostolic ministry through a catalog of sufferings rather than successes, inverting typical ancient credentials of honor and achievement.
2 Corinthians 6
Paul's Hardships and Appeal for Open Hearts
1Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain.
2For he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
3We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
4but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,
6in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
7in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true,
9as unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold—we live, as punished and not killed,
10as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
11Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
13Now in return—I speak as to my children—you also open your hearts.
Do Not Be Yoked with Unbelievers
14Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
15What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?
16What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
17Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.
18I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
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Theme
Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain, emphasizing that now is the day of salvation. He catalogs his extensive sufferings and hardships as an apostle, demonstrating his authentic ministry through endurance and paradoxical circumstances. The chapter concludes with his famous command against being unequally yoked with unbelievers, calling for separation from idolatry based on their identity as God's temple.
Context
This chapter continues Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry from chapter 5 while transitioning to themes of holiness and separation that will be developed further in chapter 7.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Urgent Appeal for Grace Paul entreats the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain, declaring now is the day of salvation.
- 3-10 Catalog of Apostolic Sufferings Paul lists his hardships, virtues, and paradoxical experiences that authenticate his ministry as God's servant.
- 11-13 Appeal for Open Hearts Paul declares his heart is open to the Corinthians and calls for them to reciprocate with enlarged affections.
- 14-18 Command for Separation Paul forbids being unequally yoked with unbelievers, emphasizing believers' identity as God's temple requiring holiness.
Paul's Hardships and Appeal for Open Hearts
6:1–6:13 epistle exhortation urgent
Paul catalogs his hardships and sufferings as proof of authentic ministry, urging the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain and to open their hearts to him as he has opened his to them.
person_contrast
Paul paradoxically validates his apostolic ministry through a catalog of sufferings rather than successes, inverting typical ancient credentials of honor and achievement.
Do Not Be Yoked with Unbelievers
6:14–7:1 epistle instruction solemn
Paul warns believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, emphasizing the incompatibility between righteousness and wickedness. He calls for separation from unclean things and cleansing from all defilement to perfect holiness.
person_contrast
Paul's five rhetorical questions create an escalating chiasm from general moral categories (righteousness/wickedness) to the climactic opposition between God's temple and idols.
Insights
Paul's five rhetorical questions create an escalating chiasm from general moral categories (righteousness/wickedness) to the climactic opposition between God's temple and idols.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
2 Corinthians 6:2 3 references
Lexicals 3
Romans 13:11 Lexical
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us tha…
Acts 13:11 Lexical
Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist…
Luke 1:20 Lexical
Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe…
2 Corinthians 6:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Corinthians 12:10 Lexical
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s s…
Romans 2:9 Lexical
oppression, and anguish on every soul of man who does evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 8:35 Lexical
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or…
2 Corinthians 6:5 2 references
2 Corinthians 6:6 4 references
Lexicals 4
Galatians 5:22 Lexical
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
Colossians 3:12 Lexical
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and pers…
Romans 2:4 Lexical
Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you…
Romans 5:5 Lexical
and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given…
2 Corinthians 6:7 2 references
2 Corinthians 6:9 1 reference
2 Corinthians 6:10 1 reference
2 Corinthians 6:17 1 reference
2 Corinthians 6:18 2 references
Interlinear
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