2 Corinthians 6
6
Their Ministry Commended
1Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]. 2For He says,
“At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you,
And I helped you on the day of salvation.”
Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— [Is 49:8]
3we put no obstruction in anyone’s path, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses, 5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend], 8amid glory and dishonor; by evil report and good report; branded as deceivers and yet [vindicated as] truthful; 9as unknown [to the world], yet well-known [by God and His people]; as dying, yet we live; as punished, yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.
11We are speaking freely to you, Corinthians [we are keeping nothing back], and our heart is opened wide. [Is 60:5; Ezek 33:22] 12There is no limit to our affection for you, but you are limited in your own affection [for us]. 13Now in the same way as a fair exchange [for our love toward you]—I am speaking as [I would] to children—open wide [your hearts] to us also.
14Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said:
“I will dwell among them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [Ex 25:8; 29:45; Lev 26:12; Jer 31:1; Ezek 37:27]
17“So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord,
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor], [Is 52:11]
18And I will be a Father to you,
And you will be My sons and daughters,”
Says the Lord Almighty. [Is 43:6; Hos 1:10]
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2 Corinthians 6
6
1We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God's gift of undeserved grace. 2#Is 49.8 (LXX). In the Scriptures God says,
“When the time came,
I listened to you,
and when you needed help,
I came to save you.”
That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.
3We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. 4But in everything and in every way we show we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. 5#Ac 16.23. We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. 6But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. 7We have spoken the truth, and God's power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right.
8Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. 9We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, 10and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours.
11Friends in Corinth, we are telling the truth when we say there is room in our hearts for you. 12We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us. 13I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us.
The Temple of the Living God
14Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? 15Is Christ a friend of Satan?#6.15 Satan: The Greek text has “Beliar,” which is another form of the Hebrew word “Belial,” meaning “wicked” or “useless.” The Jewish people sometimes used this as a name for Satan. Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't? 16#1 Co 3.16; 6.19; Lv 26.12; Ez 37.27. Do idols belong in the temple of God? We are the temple of the living God, as God himself says,
“I will live with these people
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be
my people.”
17 #
Is 52.11. The Lord also says,
“Leave them and stay away!
Don't touch anything
that isn't clean.
Then I will welcome you
18 #
2 S 7.14; 1 Ch 17.13; Is 43.6; Jr 31.9. and be your Father.
You will be my sons
and my daughters,
as surely as I am God,
the All-Powerful.”
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© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.