Introduction

Second Corinthians 6 continues Paul's appeal for reconciliation—both with God and with Paul himself. He demonstrates his ministry's authenticity through suffering and calls the Corinthians to open their hearts as he has opened his.

Not Receiving Grace in Vain (verses 1-2)

As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

• God's Co-Workers: Paul partners with God in ministry
• Grace Not Wasted: Respond to grace with transformed living
• Now is the Time: Today is the day of salvation

Marks of Authentic Ministry (verses 3-10)

Paul puts no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that his ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God he commends himself in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

• Endurance in Affliction: Troubles, hardships, beatings, imprisonments
• Character Qualities: Purity, patience, kindness, sincere love
• Divine Resources: Holy Spirit, truthful speech, God's power
• Paradoxes: Dying yet living; poor yet making rich; nothing yet everything

Open Wide Your Hearts (verses 11-13)

Paul has spoken freely to the Corinthians and opened wide his heart to them. He is not withholding affection from them, but they are withholding theirs from him. As a fair exchange—Paul speaks as to his children—open wide your hearts also.

Do Not Be Yoked (verses 14-18)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? What fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate," says the Lord. "Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty.

Key Takeaways

• Now is the Day: Respond to salvation while opportunity remains
• Authenticity in Suffering: True ministry is proven through trials
• Open Hearts: Relationships require mutual vulnerability
• Holy Separation: God's people are distinct from darkness

Reflection Questions

• Have you received God's grace in vain, or has it transformed your life?
• Which of Paul's paradoxes speaks most to your situation?
• Are there unequal yokings in your life that need to be addressed?