2 Corinthians 6 shows what true servants of God look like. Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain, because now is the day of salvation. He describes a ministry marked not by success and comfort but by endurance, purity, truth and love in the middle of hardship. He opens his heart and asks them to open theirs. Then he warns them not to be bound together with unbelief and idolatry, because God's people are His temple, and He promises to dwell among them as their Father.
Historical Context
In chapter 5, studied in Lesson 21, Paul called himself an ambassador pleading with people to be reconciled to God. Chapter 6 continues the same appeal. Some in Corinth admired impressive speakers and doubted Paul because he suffered so much. Corinth was also full of idol temples, where feasts mixed worship of false gods with immorality.
Scripture Passage
2 Corinthians 6:1-18
Interpretation & Insights
Now Is the Day of Salvation
Working together with God, Paul appeals to the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain (6:1). He quotes Isaiah 49:8, where God promises to hear and help His people at the favourable time. Then he adds, "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (6:2). God's offer of reconciliation is not something to put off for later. Those who have heard it should respond now, with repentance and faith, and those who profess faith should not treat grace as a word with no effect on their lives.
What a True Servant of God Looks Like
Paul wants no one to find fault with the ministry because of him (6:3). So he commends himself as a servant of God in a surprising way (6:4-5): through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights and hunger. Next he lists the qualities God works in him: purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech and the power of God (6:6-7). He carries the weapons of righteousness in both hands.
The list ends with a series of contrasts (6:8-10). Paul is treated as an impostor, yet is true; as unknown, yet well known; as dying, and behold, he lives. He is sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, yet possessing everything. This is the opposite of the idea that God's servants will always be healthy, wealthy and admired. The riches Paul gives are spiritual: the gospel that brings people to Christ. What he possesses is Christ Himself and every promise of God in Him.
The same test applies today. A faithful preacher or leader is recognised by a holy life, sound teaching, patient love and steady endurance, not by money, crowds or a powerful image.
Open Your Hearts
Paul speaks to them as a father to his children (6:11-13). His heart is wide open to them. Any narrowness is in their affections, not in his. He asks them to widen their hearts in return. Christian ministry is not a business relationship. It is a family bond of honest love, even when there has been hurt.
Do Not Be Bound Together with Unbelief
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" (6:14). The picture is from Deuteronomy 22:10, where two different animals were not to be harnessed together under one yoke. Paul asks five questions: what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness, light with darkness, Christ with Belial (a name for Satan), a believer with an unbeliever, the temple of God with idols (6:14-16)? In context his main concern is taking part in idol worship and in the ways of the false teachers. He has already said that believers must not withdraw from all contact with unbelievers, or they would have to leave the world (1 Corinthians 5:9-10). We are to love, serve and share the gospel with our neighbours. What we must not do is enter partnerships that pull us into idolatry or sin, or that require us to deny Christ. Marriage is the closest such partnership, and Paul elsewhere says plainly that a believer should marry only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39).
God's Temple and God's Family
The reason is wonderful: "We are the temple of the living God" (6:16). Paul gathers Old Testament promises: God will dwell among His people and be their God (Leviticus 26:12); they are to come out and be separate (Isaiah 52:11); and He will be a Father to them, and they will be His sons and daughters (6:18; 2 Samuel 7:14). Holiness is not a ladder to earn God's love. It is the fitting response of people whom God has already made His own. Chapter 7 begins by drawing the conclusion: since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement and bring holiness to completion in the fear of God (7:1).
Reflection Questions
- What would it look like for you to receive the grace of God in vain (6:1), and why does Paul stress that now is the day of salvation (6:2)?
- Which items in Paul's list of hardships and qualities (6:4-7) most challenge your idea of a successful Christian life?
- How can the contrasts in 6:8-10, such as poor yet making many rich, help you discern between faithful and unfaithful leaders today?
- Is there someone in your church with whom you need to open your heart again after hurt (6:11-13)?
- In your work, friendships or plans, where might a partnership pull you toward compromise or idolatry (6:14-16)?
- How does knowing that you are part of God's temple and family (6:16-18) motivate you toward holiness?
Prayer Points
Gracious Father, thank You that today is the day of salvation and that You have welcomed me as Your child. Keep me from receiving Your grace in vain. Lord Jesus, make me a servant like Paul, marked by purity, patience, kindness, truthful speech and genuine love, even when life is hard and I feel poor, unknown or sorrowful. Help me open my heart to my brothers and sisters. Holy Spirit, guard me from any partnership that would draw me into sin or idolatry, while I keep loving and serving my neighbours. Make me holy, because I belong to You. Amen.
Related Verses
- Isaiah 49:8
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
- Philippians 4:11-13
- 1 Corinthians 5:9-10
- 1 Corinthians 10:14-21
- Leviticus 26:11-12
- 1 Corinthians 3:16-17