2 Corinthians 6

1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.[#Mark 16:20; 1 Cor. 3:9; Acts 15:4; #5:20; #Heb. 12:15]

2For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,

and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,[#1 Cor. 8:13; 9:12]

4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,[#1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:24, 253:6; #12:12; 2 Tim. 3:10; #Acts 9:16; #12:10]

5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;[#11:23-27; Acts 16:23; #Acts 17:5]

6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;[#1 Thess. 2:10; #11:6; #Rom. 15:19; 1 Thess. 1:5; #Rom. 12:9; James 3:17]

7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;[#Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; #1 Cor. 2:5; #10:4; Eph. 6:11-17]

8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;[#Rom. 3:8]

9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;[#11:6; #4:10; #Ps. 118:18]

10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.[#John 16:22; 7:4; #8:9; Prov. 13:7; 1 Cor. 1:5; #Acts 3:6; #1 Cor. 7:30]

11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.[#6:11 Greek; #7:3; 11:11; 12:15; Ps. 119:32]

12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.[#7:2]

13In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.[#Gal. 4:12; #1 Cor. 4:14]

The Temple of the Living God

14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?[#Deut. 7:3; Josh. 23:12; Ezra 9:2; Neh. 13:25; 1 Cor. 7:39; #Eph. 5:7, 11; 1 John 1:6; #Acts 26:18]

15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?[#1 Cor. 10:21; #6:15 Greek]

16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,[#Eph. 2:22]

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17Therefore go out from their midst,[#Isa. 52:11; 7:1; Ezek. 20:34, 41; Zeph. 3:20; Rev. 18:4]

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch no unclean thing;

then I will welcome you,

18and I will be a father to you,[#Ex. 4:22; 2 Sam. 7:8, 14; Isa. 43:6; Jer. 31:9; Hos. 1:10; Rev. 21:7]

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Published by: Crossway / Good News Publishers