2 Corinthians 6

KJV · Chapter 6/13

1We 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.

11O 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.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Paul describes the countless hardships he faced as a servant of God, showing integrity in the midst of extreme trials. He then appeals to the Corinthians not to be bound together with unbelievers in incompatible ways, and opens his heart to ask for reciprocal affection.

Explanation

The long list of sufferings and paradoxes (“as poor, yet making many rich... as having nothing, and yet possessing all things”) functions as a credential of ministerial authenticity: Paul proves his integrity not through success or comfort, but through faithful perseverance amid adversity. The instruction not to be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (v.14) draws on an agricultural image of two oxen of different strength or size trying to plow together, illustrating how foundational partnerships incompatible with faith can harm one's witness and spiritual walk. The chapter ends with Paul asking the Corinthians for reciprocal emotional openness, showing how deeply intertwined ministry and affection were for him. Today's application involves discernment about alliances and commitments that could compromise faithfulness to God.

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