2 Corinthians 6 Study Notes

6:1 Receiving Paul’s apostleship as genuine included receiving his gospel message of the grace of God as true. The phrase in vain may refer to (1) falling away from a profession of faith that was apparent but not genuine and therefore going into eternity apart from Christ (1Jn 2:19); or (2) developing neither Christlike character nor doing good works because of a life of “backsliding” and therefore having one’s works burned at the judgment seat of Christ (1Co 3:12-14; 2Co 5:10).

6:2 The larger context of Is 49:8 was God’s restoration that would come at last to the covenant people, Israel. Paul’s citation shows that he believed this time had now arrived with the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ. Now and day of salvation refer in general to the times between Christ’s first and second coming. In particular, they refer to the moment a person hears the good news: there should be no delay in responding.

6:3 Not giving anyone an occasion for offense is a reference to Paul’s character and actions, which were open to observation. The ministry of reconciliation was worth all the hardship Paul endured. The list in vv. 4-13 is not self-commendation (like the false teachers; 3:1) but reflects a survey of Paul’s actions as God’s appointed minister, demonstrating the character and source of his ministry.

6:4-5 The book of Acts recounts specific instances of Paul’s suffering. This part of the list includes experiences that were physically painful. From a human perspective, these were useless and unnecessary—unless the gospel is true.

6:6-7 This part of the list focuses on character traits and spiritual realities perceived only with the eye of faith. On weapons of righteousness, see Eph 6:10-20 for a full discussion of spiritual armor.

6:8-10 The paradox of genuine Christian ministry is nowhere better stated than in these verses. Paul noted nine contrasts between frail humanity and the evidence of God’s power (see notes at 4:8-9,17-18).

6:11 Paul’s life and teaching were an open book. He had no hidden agenda.

6:12-13 Paul perceived the relationship problem to lie with the Corinthians. The false teachers had strangled the Corinthians’ love for Paul. He yearned for them to be as open and loving toward him as he had been with them—like a father toward wayward children.

6:14 Partners with those who do not believe refers to the false apostles, whom Paul considered to be Satan’s servants. The original language pictures two different kinds of animals plowing a field under a single yoke (Dt 22:10). Under such circumstances the objective cannot be reached. Paul emphasized spiritual incompatibility by noting the impossibility of literal light and darkness equally existing, and, in v. 15, the impossibility of Christ and Satan being friends.

6:15 Belial is a Hebrew term found elsewhere in an OT phrase, literally “sons of Belial,” translated “wicked men” in the CSB (see Dt 13:13).

6:16a The “we” in we are the temple points to the corporate entity of the local congregation (or the body of Christ as a whole) rather than to the individual (for which, see 1Co 6:19). Paul had believers in mind, not literal buildings (1Pt 2:5).

6:16b-18 These verses assemble a number of OT texts. Verse 16b is stated first in Lv 26:12 and repeated in Jr 31:33; 32:38. This was God’s promise of his presence to his covenant people, now fulfilled in the new covenant instituted by Christ (Heb 8:7-13). Verse 17 cites Is 52:11, referring to Israel’s future holiness when they will be restored to the Lord’s favor. Verse 18 is found first in 2Sm 7:14 in God’s covenant promise to David, but it is echoed in Is 43:6; 49:22; 60:4; Hs 1:10. In these passages the Lord promised a family relationship between himself and his people.