“At
an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
2 Corinthians 6 [1.] Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,
2 Corinthians 6 [2.] for he says,
“At an acceptable time I listened to you,
in a day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed, but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Meaning:
Paul's quotation from Isaiah 49:8 underscores the idea that God's timing is perfect. He listened and helped His people at the appointed time, and now is the time for salvation. The significance of this verse lies in its call to action and response. It reminds us that salvation is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ, but it requires a timely response on our part.
The phrase "now is the acceptable time" emphasizes the urgency of the moment. It's not a call to procrastinate or delay, but an invitation to respond to God's grace and mercy without hesitation. This sentiment is echoed in other passages of Scripture. In Isaiah 55:6, the prophet urges, "Seek Yahweh while he may be found. Call on him while he is near." This verse underscores the importance of responding to God's invitation to salvation without delay.
Similarly, in Acts 16:31, Paul tells the Philippian jailer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." This verse highlights the simplicity of salvation—believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It emphasizes the urgency of responding to God's call for salvation.
Furthermore, the theme of urgency in responding to God's call is echoed throughout the New Testament. In Matthew 25:13, Jesus warns his disciples to "Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour" of His return. This admonition emphasizes the need for readiness and preparedness in light of the imminent return of Christ.
As we reflect on 2 Corinthians 6:2, we are challenged to consider our response to God's offer of salvation. The verse reminds us that the time for salvation is now, and we must not delay in making a decision to follow Christ. It calls us to repentance, faith, and surrender to God's will, acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives.
In our personal lives, this verse prompts us to examine our hearts and consider whether we have responded to God's call for salvation. Have we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord? If not, now is the time to do so. And for those of us who have already experienced salvation, this verse serves as a reminder of the urgency of sharing the gospel with others. We have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20), and we must not delay in proclaiming it to the world.
The words Paul quotes come from one of Isaiah's Servant passages. In Isaiah 49:6 God tells his Servant, "I will also give you as a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth," and two verses later he promises, "In an acceptable time I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Paul and Barnabas applied this chapter to their own mission, saying, "I have set you as a light for the Gentiles" (Acts 13:47). For Paul, the acceptable time foretold by Isaiah had arrived with Christ, so he urges the Corinthians "that you not receive the grace of God in vain" (2 Corinthians 6:1). Hebrews makes the same appeal from Psalm 95:7-8: "Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7-8).
In conclusion, 2 Corinthians 6:2 underscores the urgency of responding to God's offer of salvation. It calls us to seize the present opportunity for salvation and to accept God's grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. May we heed this call and embrace the gift of salvation without delay, knowing that now is the acceptable time and today is the day of salvation.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible