2 Corinthians 6:1–18

Summary
Paul warns against taking the grace of God for granted. As God’s servants, we shouldn’t obstruct anyone’s way so that no fault would be found in our ministry. He went further to recount his ordeal when he was discredited but endured all because of God’s grace at work in him.
He addressed the need for a better working relationship with the Corinthians and encouraged them to open their hearts to him just as his was open to them. He then warned them against yoking themselves with unbelievers because they have nothing in common rather as the temple of the living God they should separate themselves to God as He has commanded.

Life Application
Christians should understand that we didn’t do anything to merit God’s grace; rather we are privileged to be partakers of His grace. We should therefore be careful not to take it for granted but rather influence others with this grace and bring them to the knowledge of God.

Personal Declaration
I will not take God’s grace for granted. My life will bring light to others.

Reading – 2 Corinthians 6:1–18

6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. ² For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”^[a]

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor,bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich;having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. ¹² We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Warning Against Idolatry

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^[b]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”^[c]

¹⁷ Therefore,

“Come out from them
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”^[d]

¹⁸ And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”^[e]

Footnotes:

1. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
2. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
3. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
4. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
5. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8