The Bible — World English Bible
2 Corinthians 6
In brief
In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain, because the acceptable time is now. He then describes his ministry through a series of paradoxes: endurance in trials, purity, truth, glory and dishonor, sorrow and joy, poverty and wealth. He opens his heart to the Corinthians and asks them to open theirs in return. The chapter ends with a call not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, because believers are the temple of the living God.
The chapter in 4 parts
1Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain,
2for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
3We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
4but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
6in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
7in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;
10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
13Now in return, I speak as to my children: you also open your hearts.
14Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
15What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?
16What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
17Therefore “ ‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.
18I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Key verses
for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
Paul cites Scripture and applies it to his readers: now is the acceptable time, the day of salvation. He calls them not to put it off.
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
In the middle of trials, Paul describes himself as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich. Christian joy does not deny sorrow, it lives alongside it.
Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
The verse calls us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. It is often applied to marriage and partnerships, and Christians discuss how far it extends.
What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
Paul reminds believers that they are the temple of the living God, where God lives and walks among them. This identity is the basis for the call that follows.
Therefore “ ‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
The call to come out from among idols leads to a promise: God welcomes them and presents himself as a father to his sons and daughters.
Bible verses to meditate on
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Frequently asked questions about 2 Corinthians 6
What does the unequal yoke in 2 Corinthians 6:14 mean?
A yoke is the piece that harnesses two animals together. Paul calls believers not to be harnessed together with those who do not share the faith, because their directions will differ. The verse is often applied to marriage, and also to partnerships or deep commitments. Christians debate its limits, but keep the idea of vigilance in our alliances.
What is the main message of 2 Corinthians 6?
Paul urges us to seize the grace of God now, describes his ministry crossed by trials yet marked by purity and joy, and then exhorts believers to live as the temple of the living God. The chapter therefore joins the urgency of grace, faithfulness in trials and a life set apart for God.
What does “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” mean in 2 Corinthians 6:10?
Paul describes a paradoxical experience: suffering is real, but it does not extinguish joy, which comes from the relationship with God. This joy is not an emotion we can command, nor a denial of sadness. It accompanies the believer in the middle of trials, because its source lies elsewhere than in circumstances.
Articles quoting 2 Corinthians 6
- 20 Bible Verses for Fathers: Wisdom and Encouragement for Dads
- 20 Bible Verses to Prepare for a Christian Marriage
- Luke 24: Do Not Look for the Living Among the Dead
- Ephesians 1: You Are Rich, Stop Living Like a Beggar
- 2 Peter 3: God Is Not Slow, He Is Patient With You
- Philippians 2: The Humility of Jesus, the Path to Unity
World English Bible translation — public domain.