In 2 Corinthians chapter 6, Paul reminds us of the urgency and seriousness of our calling in Christ. He pleads with us not to receive God's grace in vain but to fully embrace the salvation He has given us. Paul quotes from the Scriptures, saying, "At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you." He then emphasizes that now is that acceptable time—now is the day of salvation. This reminds us that we should not delay in responding to God’s grace. His mercy is not something to take for granted or to postpone for another day. Every moment is an opportunity to walk in His will.
Paul also speaks about the hardships he and his fellow workers have endured in their service to God. He wants us to see that following Christ is not always easy, but it is always worth it. He explains that he and his companions have done everything they can to avoid putting obstacles in anyone’s way. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that their ministry remains blameless, so that no one can discredit the message of Christ because of their actions. This is a challenge to us as well. Our lives should reflect Christ in a way that draws others toward Him, not pushes them away.
He then gives us a powerful list of the difficulties they have faced. He speaks of afflictions, hardships, distress, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labor, sleeplessness, and hunger. These are not light trials—they are real struggles that could have discouraged anyone. But Paul does not focus only on the suffering; he also highlights the character that has been built through these trials. He speaks of purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, sincere love, truthful speech, and the power of God. This shows us that while hardships may come, they are not meant to destroy us. Instead, they shape us and reveal the presence of God in our lives.
Paul also describes the paradoxes of the Christian life. He says that they are treated as deceivers, yet they are truthful. They are unknown, yet well known. They are dying, yet they live. They are punished, yet not killed. They are sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. They are poor, yet making many rich. They have nothing, yet possess everything. These words remind us that the way the world sees us is not the way God sees us. We may face rejection, loss, and suffering, but in Christ, we have everything we truly need. Our joy, our hope, and our riches are not based on earthly things but on the eternal treasures that God has given us.
Paul’s heart is open wide as he speaks to the Corinthians. He tells them that his love for them is genuine, but they have been restricted in their own affections. This means that their unwillingness to fully embrace his message has created a barrier between them. He urges them to open their hearts in return, to be receptive to the love and truth he is sharing with them. This is a reminder to us as well. Sometimes we resist God’s truth because of our own stubbornness, fears, or past experiences. But when we open our hearts, we allow Him to work in us and through us.
Paul then gives an important command: "Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers." He asks, "For what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" This is a call to be mindful of the relationships we form. It is not about avoiding all contact with unbelievers but about ensuring that our closest partnerships, whether in business, marriage, or deep friendships, do not pull us away from God’s ways. If we are deeply tied to those who do not share our faith, we may find ourselves compromising in ways that weaken our relationship with Christ.
He continues this thought by asking what agreement Christ has with Belial (a name associated with wickedness), or what portion a believer has with an unbeliever. He reminds us that we are the temple of the living God. This is a profound truth—God Himself dwells within us. Because of this, we must live in a way that honors His presence. Paul then quotes from the Old Testament, where God says, "I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." This is an incredible promise. God is not distant—He is near, actively present in our lives.
Because of this, Paul calls us to come out from among those who practice evil and to be separate. He reminds us that if we avoid unclean things, God will welcome us, be a Father to us, and we will be His sons and daughters. This is not about isolation but about holiness. God desires for us to live differently from the world, to reflect His purity, and to walk in His ways. He is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him, one that requires us to let go of anything that hinders our faith.
As we reflect on this chapter, we see a call to urgency, endurance, purity, and separation from anything that pulls us away from God. We are reminded that our trials are not meaningless but are shaping us to reflect Christ more fully. We are called to live in a way that honors God, to open our hearts to truth, and to walk in holiness. God has made His dwelling in us, and because of that, we are called to live as His people, set apart for His glory. Let us embrace this calling with joy and determination, knowing that His promises are sure and His presence is always with us.