2 Corinthians 6

1 As God’s [the supreme Creator, divine Influence] fellow workers [co-laborers, working together with Him], then [at this time, in this circumstance], we urge [plead with, comfort] you not to receive [accept, take in] God’s [divine, gracious] grace [unmerited favor, kindness] in vain [to no purpose, empty, without effect]. word study 2 For He says: “In the time [season, opportunity] of favor [acceptance, approval] I heard [listened to, hearkened unto] you, and in the day [period, era] of salvation [rescue, deliverance] I helped [assisted, succored] you.” Behold [see, perceive], now [at this present moment] is the time [season, opportunity] of favor [acceptable, well-received]; now [at this present moment] is the day [period, era] of salvation [spiritual rescue, moral deliverance]! word study 3 We put [give, bestow] no obstacle [stumbling block, cause for offense] in anyone’s way [path, journey], so that [in order that, to] no one [nothing, no person] can discredit [criticize, find fault with] our ministry [service, work of helping others]. word study 4 Rather, as [faithful] servants [ministers, attendants] of God [the one true deity] we commend [recommend, approve] ourselves in every way: in great [much, abundant] endurance [perseverance, patiently waiting]; in troubles [afflictions, pressures], hardships [necessities, distresses] [times of great need], and calamities [tribulations, severe troubles]; word study 5 in beatings [blows, wounds], imprisonments [prisons, watch], and riots [tumults, disorder]; in labor [toil, hard work], sleepless nights [watchings, staying awake], and hunger [fastings, abstinence from food]; word study 6 in purity [blameless and clean, having a pure heart], knowledge [understanding of spiritual truth], patience [longsuffering and fortitude], and kindness [morally excellent, goodness]; in the Holy [set apart, dedicated to God] Spirit and in sincere [genuine, without hypocrisy] love [unconditional affection]; word study 7 in truthful speech [the word of truth, sincere communication] and in the power [miraculous ability, divine strength] of God [the one true deity]; with the weapons [armor, instruments of war] of righteousness [living according to God’s will, moral integrity] in the right hand [symbolizing strength and honor] and in the left [representing humility and support]; word study 8 through [because of, on account of] glory [honor, praise, divine approval] and dishonor [shame, disgrace], slander [evil report, defamation] and praise [good report, commendation]; viewed as [regarded as, considered] imposters [deceivers, false representatives], yet genuine; word study 9 as unknown [unrecognized, unappreciated], yet well-known [fully recognized, acknowledged]; dying [passing away, perishing], and yet we live on [still alive, surviving]; punished [chastened, disciplined], yet not killed [not put to death, spared]; word study 10 sorrowful [as those who mourn], yet always [continually, forever] rejoicing [feeling happy and glad]; poor [as beggars, in humble circumstances], yet making many [a large number of people] rich [spiritually wealthy, abounding in faith]; having nothing [no earthly possessions, devoid of material wealth], and yet possessing [holding fast to, grasping] everything [all things, spiritual and eternal]. word study 11 We have spoken [openly, bluntly] freely to you, Corinthians [fellow believers in Corinth]. Our hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] are open [widened, enlarged] wide [broadly, fully]. word study 12 It is not our affection [love, feelings, or emotions], but yours [your own, inwardly], that is restrained [restricted, held back, or narrowed]. word study 13 As a fair [just, reciprocal] exchange, I ask you as my [beloved, spiritual] children: Open wide [be enlarged, expand] your hearts [inner beings, spirits] also [in return, as a response]. word study 14 Do not be [mismatched or unequally joined] unequally yoked with unbelievers [those who do not have faith or trust in God]. For what partnership [fellowship or communion] can righteousness [living according to God’s will, being in right standing with Him] have with wickedness [lawlessness or evil]? Or what fellowship [participation or communion] does light [spiritual illumination or understanding] have with darkness [the absence of spiritual light, ignorance or sin]? word study 15 What [perfect, complete] harmony [agreement, concord] is there between Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] and Belial [Satan, the evil one]? Or what does a believer [faithful, trusting one] have in common [part, portion] with an unbeliever [one without faith, infidel]? word study 16 What [mutual] agreement can exist between the temple [sanctuary, sacred place] of God [the one true deity] and idols [false gods, images]? For we are the temple [dwelling place, spiritual house] of the living [eternal, life-giving] God. As God has said: “I will dwell [live, reside] with them and walk [be present, guide] among them, and I will be their God [Savior, Lord], and they will be My people [faithful ones, beloved].” word study 17 “Therefore [as a consequence of God’s call] come out from among them [separate yourselves, depart] and be separate [set apart, devoted to God], says the Lord [God, the supreme Authority]. Touch [attach yourselves to, have contact with] no unclean thing [impure, sinful, or defiled], and I will receive you [welcome, accept, and take you in].” word study 18 And: “I will be [like a loving father, a paternal caregiver] a Father [a male parent] to you, and you will be [as if born of Me, having God’s nature] My sons [male children] and daughters [female children], says [declares, speaks authoritatively] the Lord [the supreme ruler] Almighty [all-powerful].” word study