2 Corinthians 6

King James Version

Full text for 2 Corinthians Chapter 6

1¶ 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.)

3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;

9As unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10As 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.

12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

13Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto [my] children,) be ye also enlarged.

14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16And 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.

17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul exhorts the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain, emphasizing the present as the day of salvation. He defends his apostolic ministry by detailing the hardships endured and virtues demonstrated, presenting himself and his co-workers as true ministers despite paradoxical appearances. Finally, he passionately calls them to separate from unbelievers, reminding them that they are the temple of the living God.

Medium Summary

The apostle Paul urges the Corinthians to embrace God's grace effectively, declaring that "now is the accepted time." He then meticulously outlines the authentic marks of a minister of God, which include enduring various afflictions such as stripes, imprisonments, and distresses, while also exhibiting virtues like purity, knowledge, and unfeigned love. Paul describes the paradoxical nature of their service, being perceived as deceivers yet true, and as poor yet making many rich. He expresses his deep affection for the Corinthians, whose hearts are not constrained by him but by themselves. Concluding with a strong admonition, Paul commands them not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, asserting that righteousness cannot commune with unrighteousness, nor the temple of God with idols, for they are the dwelling place of the living God.

Long Summary

Paul, as a co-worker with God, earnestly appeals to the Corinthians to ensure they do not receive the grace of God ineffectually, reminding them that the present moment is the "accepted time" and "day of salvation." He then provides an extensive defense of his and his fellow ministers' authenticity, demonstrating their approval as servants of God through immense patience amidst a litany of hardships. These trials include afflictions, necessities, distresses, stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labours, watchings, and fastings. Alongside these sufferings, they approve themselves by exhibiting spiritual virtues such as pureness, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Ghost, unfeigned love, the word of truth, the power of God, and the armour of righteousness. Paul further illustrates their ministry through a series of paradoxes: being perceived as deceivers yet proving true, as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet living, and as having nothing yet possessing all things. He then opens his heart to the Corinthians, declaring his deep affection and lamenting that their hearts are straitened within themselves, not by him. Paul implores them to reciprocate this openness. The chapter culminates in a fervent exhortation against unequal yoking with unbelievers, posing rhetorical questions to highlight the incompatibility of righteousness with unrighteousness, light with darkness, Christ with Belial, and the believer with the infidel. He powerfully asserts that the Corinthians are the "temple of the living God," citing God's promise to dwell and walk among them as their God. Therefore, he commands them to "come out from among them, and be ye separate," promising that the Lord Almighty will receive them as sons and daughters.

Core Concepts

  • Receiving Grace in VainPaul urges believers not to let God's grace be ineffective in their lives, emphasizing that the present moment is the opportune time for salvation and acceptance.
  • Ministerial EnduranceTrue ministers of God are identified by their willingness to endure severe hardships, including afflictions, stripes, and imprisonments, with patience and integrity.
  • Paradoxes of MinistryThe apostolic ministry is characterized by apparent contradictions, such as being seen as deceivers yet being true, or as poor yet spiritually enriching many.
  • Open HeartednessPaul expresses his deep, enlarged affection for the Corinthians, desiring them to reciprocate this openness and not be emotionally constrained.
  • Unequal YokingBelievers are strictly warned against forming close, binding relationships or alliances with unbelievers, as there is fundamental incompatibility between righteousness and unrighteousness.
  • The Temple of GodThe Corinthians, and by extension all believers, are identified as the dwelling place of the living God, implying a call to holiness and separation from idolatry.
  • Divine Separation and AdoptionGod commands His people to separate themselves from the unclean and promises to receive them as His sons and daughters, establishing a covenant relationship.