Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 6

Verse 1

2Co 6:1. We has reference to Paul and the teachers associated with him. The important truth is stated that the workers were acting together; cooperation is an essential thing in the work of the Lord. Receive not . . . in vain. This is an exhortation for his readers to make good use of their opportunities in the cause of the Lord. It is a great, favor (grace) to be given such an opportunity, but if they are neglectful in their duty, the whole proposition will be fruitless as far as their salvation is concerned.

Verse 2

2Co 6:2. The present verse is enclosed in parentheses; however, it is directly related to verse 1. In that place the apostle exhorts the Corinthians not to let the offer of salvation to them be in vain. The present one is a quotation from Isa 49:8, and the connection of that passage shows the prophet was predicting the offer of salvation to the Gentiles. The Corinthians were Gentiles and hence were among the ones to whom the prediction applied. That prediction was in effect at the time Paul was writing, hence he informs them now is the accepted time. That is why he insists that they make good use of the oppor-tunity.

Verse 3

2Co 6:3. This verse goes back to the first one and connects the actions with the "workers together" who were Paul and the other preachers of the Gospel. Offence is from PROSKOPE, which Thayer defines, "an occasion of stumbling," and explains it to mean, "to do some-ting which causes others to stumble." One meaning of the original word for ministry is "service," and Paul means the service of preaching the Gospel. If the preachers were to set a bad example and cause others to do wrong, then the very truth they were preaching would be blamed for it, though unjustly. But Christians should "practice what they preach," and thus not give others any excuse for doing wrong.

Verse 4

2Co 6:4. Instead of giving offence (see preceding verse), Paul and his coworkers were striving to live in such a way that others would approve them, and regard them as true ministers of God. Such approved conduct was patiently maintained even when conditions were unfavorable. Afflictions were sometimes imposed upon them by their enemies. The original for necessities is defined by Thayer, "calamity, distress, straits." Distresses is similar to the preceding word but not quite as physical. It has special reference to situations where the mind is in a state of perplexity, being anxious about what is coming next.

Verse 5

2Co 6:5. Stripes means blows or wounds inflicted with a heavy rope or leather thong (Act 16:23 Act 16:33). Imprisonments refers to those unjustly imposed on him, such as that in the passage in Acts just cited. Tumults means "disturbances, disorders," such as are recorded in Act 14:19 Act 19:29 Act 21:30, which were caused by the presence and teaching of Paul. Labors is from an original that means any intense activities, whether in body or mind, that are caused by the service to Christ. Watchings and fastings pertain to the many seasons of anxiety that Paul was forced to undergo, occasioned by the uncertainties in the activities of the foe.

Verse 6

2Co 6:6. This and the next verse should be connected with "approving ourselves" in verse 4. The verses are to specify the items in their conduct by which they were to be "approved." Pureness literally means "without mixture." Paul endeavored to lead a life "unspotted from the world" (Jas 1:27). Knowledge denotes the information that had been received from the Lord by inspiration. Longsuffering means patience in dealing with the rebellious, and kindness indicates a gentle attitude toward those who would mistreat the apostle. By the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) means he regulated his work for the Lord by being thus divinely guided. Love unfeigned signifies a genuine interest in the welfare of others and not merely a pretended one.

Verse 7

2Co 6:7. Word of truth was that offered in the Gospel, as opposed to the false theories of the Greek philosophers. Power of God was given credit for his success and not placing it on his individual ability. Armor of righteousness. The strongest protection one can have against any successful attack upon his character that the enemy may make, is a life of constant righteousness. That is why it is called a "breastplate" in Eph 6:14.

Verse 8

2Co 6:8. Paul reverts to the line of thought presented in verses 4 and 5, with the exception that he states both favorable &.,./1 unfavorable conditions in contrast with each other. He was shown honor by some and dishonor by others. Evil report means he was slandered by his enemies, but was commended given good report by others. Was accused of being a deceiver although he never was guilty of falsehood.

Verse 9

2Co 6:9. He was unknown from the standpoint of worldly fame, yet was well known to God and many faithful disciples. Dying in that he was threatened with death daily, yet was able to live through the grace of God. Chastened with many trials and persecutions, but not suffered to be physically put to death.

Verse 10

2Co 6:10. As sorrowful. The conduct of wicked people and the prospect of their terrible future, caused Paul to be affected with sorrow for them; yet he rejoiced over the reward that he believed was awaiting himself and all other faithful disciples of Christ. He was poor in this world's goods, yet in giving the Gospel to mankind he bestowed upon them the spiritual riches that cannot be valued in gold (1 Pete• 1.:7). The last clause is virtually the same in meaning as the preceding one, except Paul applies the possession of the spiritual riches to himself and his co-workers.

Verse 11

2Co 6:11. The plural pronoun has been used through many of the passages in this book, because Timothy and other workers were associated with Paul in most of the experiences mentioned. However, they have a special application to the apostle, and some things would have been true of him only. The reader should bear these remarks in mind, regardless of which form of pronoun is used in the comments. Mouth is open signifies that Paul spoke freely to the Corinthians. Enlarged is from PLATUNO, which Thayer defines, "to make broad, to enlarge," and he explains it at this place to mean "our heart expands itself to receive you into it, i. e., to welcome and embrace you in love."

Verse 12

2Co 6:12. Straitened means to be cramped or restricted, and bowels is used figuratively in reference to the affections. Paul is complaining of the lack of affection mainfested by the Corinthians. (See chapter 12:15.) He means to tell them their lack of affectionate expression for him is not his fault, for his heart was large enough for all their love (preceding verse); the fault is their own restriction.

Verse 13

2Co 6:13. This verse requests the Corinthians to "loosen up" or enlarge their heart to make room for the apostle's affections, and thus recompence (or reward) him for the love he has been showing for them.

Verse 14

2Co 6:14. Notwithstanding all that can justly be said against Christians marrying those who are not, it is a perversion to apply this passage to that subject. The same subject is under consideration in verse 17, where the apostle commands them to come out from among them. If Paul was writing in view of the marriage relation, then the command would require Christian husbands or wives to separate from their companions who were not Christians. But that would contradict 1Co 7:12-16 and 1Pe 3:1-2, and we are sure the Bible does not contradict itself. The passage at hand refers to religious organizations, or any such that profess to offer religious benefits to the world. That would include the ones that make direct professions of a religious character, such as the sectarian organizations, also those whose claims for spiritual rewards are only a part of their avowed purpose, such as the various fraternal organizations. The New Testament church is the only organization that has any scriptural right to offer spiritual instructions and other benefits to the world. (See Eph 3:10-11 Eph 3:21, and 1Ti 3:15.) Unequally yoked is from HETERZUGER, and this is the only place the word is is used in the Greek New Testament. Thayer defines it, "to come under an unequal or different yoke; to have fellowship with one who is not an equal." He then explains it to mean, "the apostle is forbidding Christians to have intercourse [familiar association] with idolaters." Robinson's explanation of the word is virtually the same as that of Thayer. The remainder of the verse (and several verses following) shows specific reasons for the command. Idolatrous teaching and practices certainly constitute unright-eousness, and Christians can have nothing in common with such a system. Light and darkness are used figuratively, referring to truth and error as pertaining to spiritual matters. Communion means fellowship, indicating a common sharing in the same thing. Christians believe in the truth of the Lord and hence cannot be a partner with those who teach error.

Verse 15

2Co 6:15. There are several words that have similar meanings, but Paul uses the various ones for the sake of completeness in thought, and also for the sake of being more pleasant to the ear of the reader. Concord is virtually the same as "agreement," which is used later in the chapter. Thayer• says Belial is "a name of Satan," and he is placed as opposed to Christ because there is no unity between them. Infidel is the same as believer in the Greek with a negative prefix.

Verse 16

2Co 6:16. Temple of God is contrasted with idols because those heathen objects of worship were usually housed in buildings. in which the idolaters gathered for their religious exercises. Ye are the temple refers to the disciples as a congregation in which God dwells as the "guest of honor." It is true that 1Co 6:19 says the bodies of Christians are temples of the Holy Ghost, but there is no difficulty, for the church is made up of individual disciples. Their God . . . my people. In the national life of the various groups of people existing in olden times, each group claimed some par ticular deity as its head or ruling spirit. By the same token, if Christians will be separate from all heathen and other unlawful religious associations, God will claim them as his people, and will allow them to own Him as their God.

Verse 17

2Co 6:17. Come out from among them denotes a complete separation from the thing spoken of, having nothing to do with any of its activities, nor having any interests in common with it. The Gentiles were largely given to the practices of idolatry, and the Corinthians had been mixed up with such relations. Unclean means to be foul in a ceremonial as well as literal sense, and the practices of idolatrous nations were defiled in both senses. Their complete separation from all such was a condition on which the Lord would be willing to receive them.

Verse 18

2Co 6:18. The relation of parent and child is one of the most intimate ones possible to mankind. Sons and daughters are terms that apply to individuals, but it is true that the church which is the temple of God is composed of individuals, hence the terms are entirely appropriate here. This relation is assured the Corinthians on condition that they maintain a complete separation from all alliances that would corrupt them ceremonially or physically.