| 1 | Laboring together [as God’s fellow workers] with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain [that
[a]merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them—do not receive it to no purpose]. |
| 2 | For He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to
and
heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome
and
acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation! |
| 3 | We put no obstruction in anybody’s way [we give no offense in anything], so that no fault may be found
and
[our] ministry blamed
and
discredited. |
| 4 | But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation
and
suffering, in hardships
and
privations, in sore straits
and
calamities, |
| 5 | In beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger; |
| 6 | By innocence
and
purity, knowledge
and
spiritual insight, longsuffering
and
patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love; |
| 7 | By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]; |
| 8 | Amid honor and dishonor; in defaming
and
evil report and in praise
and
good report. [We are branded] as deceivers (impostors), and [yet vindicated as] truthful
and
honest. |
| 9 | [We are treated] as unknown
and
ignored [by the world], and [yet we are] well-known
and
recognized [by God and His people]; as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed; |
| 10 | As grieved
and
mourning, yet [we are] always rejoicing; as poor [ourselves, yet] bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, and [yet in reality] possessing all things. |
| 11 | Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians [we are hiding nothing, keeping nothing back], and our heart is expanded wide [for you]! |
| 12 | There is no lack of room for you in [our hearts], but you lack room in your own affections [for us]. |
| 13 | By way of return then, do this for me—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also [to us]. |
| 14 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living
and
right standing with God with iniquity
and
lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? |
| 15 | What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? |
| 16 | What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in
and
with
and
among them and will walk in
and
with
and
among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. |
| 17 | So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly
and
treat you with favor, |
| 18 | And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. |
Cross references:
-
2 Corinthians 6:2 : Isa. 49:8.
-
2 Corinthians 6:11 : Isa. 60:5; Ezek. 33:22.
-
2 Corinthians 6:16 : Exod. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Jer. 31:1; Ezek. 37:27.
-
2 Corinthians 6:17 : Isa. 52:11.
-
2 Corinthians 6:18 : Isa. 43:6; Hos. 1:10.
|