Read 2 Corinthians 6
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 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.
Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 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.”
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
Go Deeper
This chapter begins with a bold statement: “As God’s co-workers, we urge you to not receive God’s grace in vain.” Paul wants to remind the Corinthians that they are God’s co-workers. A co-worker is an associate, a friend, a colleague. What a privilege to partner with the creator of the universe in His work!
God could work in any way He wants to, yet He chooses to work through us… and not just through us like robots, but with us and alongside us, as His children. Have you ever done a chore with your kids? Or can you remember a time when you were young and did chores with your parents? It may not be the most efficient way to do yard work or wash dishes, but the value in working with children doesn’t come from the results they produce. It comes from what is produced in them as kids work at chores with their parents. God chooses to work with us because He isn’t after perfection, He is after our hearts. He wants us to work with Him because it makes us better–it produces faith and endurance and patience, and makes us more like him.
The ESV translates the start of this passage as “Working together with him.” Paul does not say “working together with us”, but he says “working together with Him.” The goal is not to get God to help us with our own work, but to seek out what God’s work is and join him in the work he’s doing! It’s important to note that the word “work” is used in this statement to begin with. David Guzik says “There is something good and important in work itself, so much so that God wants us to be workers together with Him. God’s best for our life is never a state of ease and comfort and indulgent inactivity…” Partnering with God requires effort and action on our part!
As you consider the privilege it is to work with God, ask yourself: are you working with Him or are you receiving God’s grace in vain? Are you joining Him in His mission of spreading the gospel all over the world, or are you receiving the gift of salvation and keeping it for yourself? As Paul continues to explain in this chapter, it is not easy work we are called to, but it is good. And most of all, it is work that we don’t have to do alone, but get to do with God, our Father.
Questions
- Where is God at work in the world around you? How do you join Him in it? In what area have you not joined with Him, yet should?
- Oftentimes, we think about being “yoked together with believers” strictly in relation to marriage. But in this passage, Paul is talking about how influenced the Corinthian church was by the unbelievers around them. Think about the five closest relationships in your life. Are you yoked with unbelievers?
- In what ways do you allow the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of others to influence yours?
Keep Digging
For an in-depth look at what it means to not be yoked together with unbelievers, read this article from GotQuestions.org.
5 thoughts on “2 Corinthians 6”
Paul’s opening remarks made me pause. How often have we rejected God’s great kindness, the One who hears, helps and offers us salvation? There is no time like the present to repent and receive his forgiveness. As believers we carry this “precious treasure in jars of clay to show his surpassing power.” We have countless opportunities to be on mission with Christ in this broken world. May we take this seriously, prayerfully and purposefully offer the hope we have in Christ as we, too, are ministers of the gospel. Let’s heed Paul’s reminder in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Verses 14-18 always strike me because the reminder that we are separate matters. In today’s culture, we see so many Christians falter because we try to fit in with the world (which never works). Paul’s reminder to not be yoked together with unbelievers covered so many aspects of life that we don’t think about. It’s not just marriage, but it’s relationships in all forms. God created us to work alongside Him and further His kingdom. How does straying from that purpose help us or God? It doesn’t.
We are to work together towards sharing the gospel with those around us here and to the uttermost parts of the world. We are to show grace to ourselves and to others throughout our days. As God’s co-workers with a day by day walk with Him that we have to maintain through praying, reading His Word, and hearing.
God give me ears to listen with hearing Your voice. Thank You that I do not lean to my own understanding but that I acknowledge You and You shall direct my path. God I exalt You. I put my trust in You O God. I will praise You over and over and I shall not be afraid. For You have delivered my soul from death and my feet from falling so that I walk before You, God, in the light of life. (Psalm 56:13) God I give You praise, honor and glory for this day and these minutes in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!
v. 2 “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
Me: Now? Really? But I don’t feel ready!
God: Now means now!
As Christians, we don’t have to give into public opinion and pressure. We must stay faithful in Jesus on firm ground. I am grateful for the season I am in to no longer be concerned of other people’s opinions or thoughts of me. I admit that when I was younger these things mattered. But God! He pursued me all the days of my life and has shown me true love and acceptance. Through RE-Generation. I am learning, confessing and growing in the truth that is giving me freedom in Christ. Thank You, Holy Spirit for directing my steps, my mind and my heart to love and serve to the glory of God. Amen!