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2 Corinthians Chapter 6

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 18 Verses

What is 2 Corinthians 6 about?

Paul's defense of his apostleship and the theology of the ministry of reconciliation through weakness and suffering. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And working together [with him] we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
2(for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):
3giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;
4but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
6in pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
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 chastened, 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 unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged.
12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections.
13Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto [my] children), be ye also enlarged.
14Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?
15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?
16And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,
18And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“We then, as workers together with him, etc..] The ministers of the Gospel are workers or labourers; their ministry is a work, and a very laborious one, which none have strength equal to, and are sufficient for; of themselves: it is a work that requires faithfulness and diligence, is honourable; and those who perform it aright deserve respect. These do not work alone: according to our version, they are “workers together with him”; meaning either God or Christ, not as co-ordinate with him, but as subordinate to him: he is the chief shepherd, they under ones; he is the chief master builder, they under workers; but…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“HIS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY IS APPROVED BY FAITHFULNESS IN EXHORTATION, IN SUFFERINGS, IN EXHIBITION OF THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST: HIS LARGENESS OF HEART TO THEM CALLS FOR ENLARGEMENT OF THEIR HEART TO HIM. EXHORTATIONS TO SEPARATION FROM POLLUTION. (2Co. 6:1-18) workers together--with God (Act 15:4; Co1 3:9). Not only as "ambassadors." beseech--entreat (Co2 5:20). He is describing his ministry, not exhorting directly. you also--rather, "WE ALSO (as well as God, Co2 5:20) beseech" or "entreat you": Co2 6:14-15, on to Co2 7:1, is part of this entreaty or exhortation. in vain--by making the grace of God a ground for…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“We then, as workers together with him - On the meaning of this expression, see the note, 1 Corinthians 3:9. The Greek here is (συνεργοῦντες sunergountes) “working together,” and may mean either that the apostles and ministers to whom Paul refers were joint-laborers in entreating them not to receive the grace of God in vain; or it may mean that they cooperated with God, or were engaged with him in endeavoring to secure the reconciliation of the world to himself. Tyndale renders it: “we as helpers.” Doddridge, “we then as the joint-laborers of God.” Most expositors have concurred in this interpretation. The word…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“We then not only beseech, but as fellow - labourers with you, who are working out your own salvation, do also exhort you, not to receive the grace of God - Which we have been now describing. In vain - We receive it by faith; and not in vain, if we add to this, persevering holiness. 2 Corinthians 6:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“6:1-2 To win over the disaffected believers at Corinth, Paul appeals to them to listen to him and Timothy as God’s servants and messengers. • As God’s partners: Literally As we work together, which leaves open the question whether Paul meant that they were working together in a team effort, or that they were working together with God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“workers: Co2 5:18-20; Co1 3:9 beseech: Co2 5:20, Co2 10:1; Mat 23:37; Rom 12:1; Gal 4:11, Gal 4:12 ye: Jer 8:8; Gal 3:4; Heb 12:15, Heb 12:25 the: Co2 8:1, Co2 8:2; Act 14:3; Gal 2:21; Tit 2:11; Pe1 4:10 2 Corinthians 6:2”
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