Bullet Point Bible - 2 Corinthians 6

Co-workers with God: Receive Grace Now

¹ Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.² For he says, " I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you ." Look, now is the acceptable time ; look, now is the day of salvation !

Paul identifies himself and his team as "co-workers" (Greek: *synergoi*) with God, emphasizing their partnership in the ministry of reconciliation.
The appeal "not to receive God's grace in vain" warns against accepting the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:20) without genuine life transformation and commitment.
"God's grace" refers to His unmerited favor demonstrated through Christ, specifically the offer of reconciliation and salvation.
Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8, applying this Old Testament promise of God's timely help and salvation directly to the Corinthians' present situation.
The phrases "time of God's favor" (*kairos dektos*) and "day of salvation" (*hēmera sōtērias*) stress the immediate opportunity and urgency to respond fully to the gospel.
This section directly follows the explanation of the ministry of reconciliation in chapter 5, urging a practical response.
Receiving grace "in vain" suggests a superficial acceptance that doesn't lead to the holiness and changed life described later in the chapter.
The quote from Isaiah highlights God's sovereign initiative and readiness to act on behalf of those who turn to Him.

Credentials of Ministry: Endurance and Integrity

³ We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.⁴ But as God's servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,⁵ in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger,⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,⁷ by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left,⁸ through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true;⁹ as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet-see!-we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed;¹⁰ as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Paul defends the legitimacy of his ministry not by worldly standards but by his conduct and perseverance through suffering.
Avoiding "stumbling blocks" shows Paul's deep concern that his personal actions should never hinder the reception of the gospel.
The extensive list of hardships (v. 4-5) serves as Paul's credentials, demonstrating the authenticity and cost of his service to God. This contrasts sharply with the self-promoting style of his opponents.
Paul balances the external difficulties with a list of internal virtues and divine resources (v. 6-7), showing that ministry is empowered by God's Spirit and characterized by godly conduct.
"Weapons of righteousness" (v. 7) likely refers to the spiritual and ethical means used for both advancing the gospel (offense, right hand) and defending against attacks (defense, left hand).
The series of paradoxes (v. 8-10) powerfully illustrates the contrast between how the world views Paul's ministry and its true spiritual reality in Christ.
These paradoxes reflect the counter-intuitive values of the Kingdom of God, where strength is found in weakness, life emerges from death, and spiritual riches exist amidst material poverty (cf. 2 Cor 4:7-12).
This passage provides a profound model of authentic Christian ministry, validated by integrity, endurance, and reliance on God's power, not worldly success.
The mention of the "Holy Spirit" (v. 6) underscores the divine source enabling these virtues and endurance.
Possessing everything while having nothing points to the sufficiency found in Christ and the eternal inheritance of believers.

An Open Appeal for Reciprocal Affection

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you.¹² Our affection for you is not restricted, but you are restricted in your affections for us.¹³ Now as a fair exchange-I speak as to my children-open wide your hearts to us also.

Paul shifts from defending his ministry to making a direct, emotional appeal for restored relationship with the Corinthians.
"Spoken freely" and "opened wide our hearts" express Paul's vulnerability, honesty, and deep affection for the Corinthian believers.
He gently confronts them, suggesting that any distance or "restriction" (*stenochōreō*, narrowness) in their relationship stems from their own lack of affection or trust, not his.
Addressing them "as to my children" highlights his pastoral love, spiritual authority, and desire for their well-being and maturity.
The plea "open wide your hearts also" is a call for reciprocity – for them to respond with similar openness, trust, and affection.
This section acts as a crucial relational bridge, connecting Paul's defense of his ministry (v. 3-10) to the warning that follows (v. 14-18).
It underscores the importance of mutual love and trust within the church community and between believers and their spiritual leaders.
Paul's appeal suggests the Corinthians may have been influenced by accusations against him, leading them to withdraw emotionally.

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked: A Call to Holiness

¹⁴ Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?¹⁵ And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever?¹⁶ And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, " I will live in them andwill walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people ."¹⁷ Therefore " come out from their midst, and be separate ," says the Lord, " andtouch no unclean thing, andI will welcomeyou ,¹⁸ andI will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters ," says the All-Powerful Lord.

The command "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" uses an Old Testament agricultural metaphor (cf. Deut 22:10) to warn against inappropriate, compromising alliances. This likely refers to partnerships (potentially in worship, business, or intimate relationships) that would dilute Christian identity and commitment.
Some scholars debate if this section is an interpolation, but it can be seen as grounding the call for reconciliation with Paul (v. 11-13) in the broader context of their relationship with God and separation from pagan influences.
Paul employs a series of sharp rhetorical questions contrasting fundamental opposites (righteousness/wickedness, light/darkness, Christ/Belial, believer/unbeliever, God's temple/idols) to stress the absolute incompatibility between Christian faith and paganism or unbelief.
"Belial" (or Beliar) is a name for Satan or the personification of evil, emphasizing the spiritual warfare dimension of this separation.
The declaration "we are the temple of the living God" (v. 16) affirms the sacred identity of the Christian community as the dwelling place of God (cf. 1 Cor 3:16-17).
Paul undergirds his argument with a tapestry of Old Testament quotations (referencing Lev 26:12; Jer 32:38; Ezek 37:27; Isa 52:11; Ezek 20:34; 2 Sam 7:14; Isa 43:6).
These quotes collectively emphasize God's promise to dwell with His people, the necessity of their separation from ritual and moral impurity, and His resulting fatherly relationship with them.
The command to "Come out... be separate... Touch no unclean thing" (v. 17, from Isa 52:11) is a direct call to practical holiness and distinctiveness from the surrounding idolatrous culture.
God's promises to "receive" them and be their "Father" (v. 17-18) provide the gracious motivation and reward for this separation.
The concluding title "Lord Almighty" (*kyrios pantokratōr*) underscores God's supreme power and authority, assuring His ability to fulfill these promises.
This passage highlights the ethical dimension of salvation: being reconciled to God necessitates living a life that reflects His holy character.

The Bullet Point Bible

2 Corinthians 6