2 Corinthians 6
6
1This reconciliation and salvation is not for some hypothetical future. To think that is so is to take it in vain. 2It is for now, it is here. “In an acceptable time have I heard thee, in a day of salvation have I helped thee” (Is. 99:8). What is that “acceptable time,” that “day” but the day which has now dawned on us? 3and if we are its servants and ministers, we must show it in our lives. 4If we are the servants of God, we shall abound in all good at all times, so that that service shall commend itself inevitably to all men. No amount of endurance, troubles, difficulties and dangers, 5yes, not even punishment, imprisonment, scourging, and riots of the people, no labour, no hunger, 6no watching shall weary us, but through it all we shall exhibit the signs of the Christ, that wondrous knowledge and holiness, patience and goodness, that love unfeigned which marks the presence of the Spirit, 7and of this word of truth with man, and the power of God which it manifests. We shall have always at our back and at our front, in left hand and right hand the weapons, shield and armour which God’s perfection supplies; 8we shall be glorious, approved by man, and speakers of the truth, even whilst our opponents cry “scoundrels” and “deceivers”; 9in the midst of endless misconception, ignorance, and misunderstanding the world will accept us: 10life will be ours and joy, and abundant riches overflowing to the rest of mankind, that neither death nor poverty nor sore chastening can hide; for in the Christ we possess all things, because in the world we own — nothing!
Now, cast out all that obscures the ideal
11Something has opened my heart to you, Corinthians, 12-13and shown me yourselves and your destiny in a larger room, in a grand perspective — free from all the cavil and pettiness of the world’s slander. Now do the same for me, my brethren. O grasp the secret of my purpose, the breadth of my career and vision; behold its vast import, and do not lay upon yourselves the cruel limitations of the world’s misapprehension and deceit and slander. Away with all that! 14Have no further dealings with that spirit which possesses the world’s idolaters; 15there can be no means of communication between Christ and Belial, devils and saints, light and darkness. 16Cast out all that obscures that fair, spacious and exalted temple of the living God, that building which you are! The workings of devilish influences and the power of idolatry have no room or footing here.
I will walk in their midst, says God,
I will dwell among them, (Lev. 26:11-12)
I will be their God, they shall be my people.
17Therefore come out from the midst of them,
Be separate, saith the Lord, (Is. 52:11)
Touch not the unclean thing.
And I will accept you, 18and will be to you a father,
And you shall be my sons and daughters,
Saith the Lord omnipotent. (II Sam. 7:14)
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Translated in 1916, published in 1937.
2 Corinthians 6
6
1Working together # Or As we work together with Him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.” 2For He says:
I heard you in an acceptable time,
and I helped you in the day of salvation. # Is 49:8 # Is 49:8
Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. # Is 49:8; 55:6; Lk 4:19; Heb 3:13
The Character of Paul’s Ministry
3We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. 4But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:
by great endurance, by afflictions,
by hardship, by difficulties,
5by beatings, by imprisonments, # Jdg 16:21
by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
6by purity, # 2Co 11:3 by knowledge, # Php 3:8; 1Jn 4:8
by patience, # Ex 34:6; 2Tm 3:10 by kindness, # Rm 2:4; 3:12; 11:22; Gl 5:22; Eph 2:7; Col 3:12; Ti 3:4
by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, # 1Co 13:1
7by the message of truth, # 2Th 2:10
by the power of God; # Mk 5:30; Lk 1:35; 6:19; Ac 19:11; 2Co 13:4; Rv 11:17
through weapons of righteousness
on the right hand and the left,
8through glory # 1Pt 5:4 and dishonor,
through slander and good report;
as deceivers yet true;
9as unknown yet recognized;
as dying and look — we live;
as being disciplined yet not killed;
10as grieving yet always rejoicing; # Mt 5:4; Jn 16:22; 2Co 7:4; Php 1:4,25; 2:17-18; 3:1; 4:1,4; Col 1:24; 1Th 1:6; 1Pt 1:6-8
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.
11We have spoken openly # Lit Our mouths have been open to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. 13I speak as to my children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.
Separation to God
14Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? # Mt 13:41 Or what fellowship does light # Jn 12:46 have with darkness? # Mt 6:23 15What agreement does Christ have with Belial? # Or Beliar, a name for the Devil or antichrist in extra-biblical Jewish writings Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? # Gn 31:19; 1Co 8:4 For we # Other mss read you are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:
I will dwell among them # Jms 4:5
and walk among them,
and I will be their God, # Heb 3:6
and they will be My people. # Lv 26:12 # Lv 26:12; Jr 31:33; 32:38; Ezk 37:26
17Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you. # Is 52:11 # Is 52:11
18I will be a Father # Mt 5:16; 11:27; Lk 11:13; Jn 8:42; Eph 5:20 to you,
and you will be sons # Mt 5:9 and daughters to Me,
says the Lord Almighty. # 2Sm 7:14; Rv 1:8 # 2Sm 7:14; Is 43:6; 49:22; 60:4; Hs 1:10
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