2 Corinthians 6

This is the sixth of the thirteen chapters of 2 Corinthians. At the end of 2 Corinthians 5, Paul urged his readers, "be ye reconciled to God," and in this chapter he continues that exhortation. He also describes how he has carried out his ministry as an apostle.

Outline

• Verses 1–2: As one who works together with God, Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive grace in vain. Quoting Isaiah, he declares that "now is the day of salvation."
• Verses 3–10: Paul portrays the conduct of a minister. He has endured afflictions, stripes, imprisonments, watchings, and fastings. He has labored with pureness, longsuffering, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and love unfeigned. A series of paired contrasts follows, such as "as deceivers, and yet true."
• Verses 11–13: Speaking as to his children, Paul appeals to the Corinthians to enlarge their hearts.
• Verses 14–18: Paul exhorts them not to be yoked together with unbelievers. He contrasts righteousness with unrighteousness, light with darkness, and Christ with Belial, and, citing Old Testament promises, affirms that believers are "the temple of the living God."

Key Verses

• 2 Corinthians 6:2: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." This is the chapter's central exhortation: the time to respond to grace is now.
• 2 Corinthians 6:10: "As having nothing, and yet possessing all things." This verse sums up the paradoxical identity the apostle maintained in the midst of suffering.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." This verse is frequently cited in discussions of the believer's separated life.

People and Places

• Paul: The apostle who wrote the letter. The "we" of the passage refers to Paul and his coworkers.
• The Corinthians: Members of the church in Corinth and the recipients of this letter.
• Belial: A term derived from a Hebrew word meaning "worthlessness." Here it is used as a name for the evil power opposed to Christ, that is, Satan.

Points for Reflection

• Verse 2 quotes Isaiah 49:8. Verses 16–18 are generally understood to weave together promises from Leviticus 26, Ezekiel, Isaiah 52, and 2 Samuel 7.
• The passage 6:14–7:1 appears to interrupt the flow between 6:13 and 2 Corinthians 7:2. For this reason, some scholars regard it as a fragment of another letter that was inserted here, while others regard it as original to its present location.
• The phrase "be ye not unequally yoked" recalls the prohibition in Deuteronomy 22:10 against plowing with an ox and an ass together. How broadly the verse should be applied varies among interpreters. Some read it narrowly as a prohibition against participation in idolatry, while others apply it broadly to relationships in general, such as marriage and business partnerships. Still others seek balance by reading it alongside 1 Corinthians 7:12–16, which addresses believers with unbelieving spouses. The view of believers as the temple of God connects with 1 Corinthians 3:16–17.