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2 Corinthians 6

BSB·18 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1As God’s fellow workers, thenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →, we urgeπαρακαλοῦμενparakaloumen — to urge, comfort, or exhortG3870 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → to receiveδέξασθαιdexasthai — to receive or accept willinglyG1209 — Full Word Study → God’sΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → graceχάρινcharin — God's unmerited favor and kindnessG5485 — Full Word Study → inεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → vainκενὸνkenon — empty, void, without content or effectG2756 — Full Word Study →. 2Forγάρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → He saysλέγειlegei — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study →: “In the timeΚαιρῷKairō — The right or appointed time; a season or opportunityG2540 — Full Word Study → of favorδεκτῷdektō — acceptable, pleasing, welcomeG1184 — Full Word Study → I heardἐπήκουσάepēkousa — to listen to, hear favorably, respond toG1873 — Full Word Study → youσουsou — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the day of salvationσωτηρίαςsōtērias — deliverance, rescue, salvationG4991 — Full Word Study → I helpedἐβοήθησάeboēthēsa — to come to aid; to help or assistG997 — Full Word Study → youσοιsoi — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →.” BeholdἸδοὺIdou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study →, nowνῦνnyn — now, at the present timeG3568 — Full Word Study → is the time of favorεὐπρόσδεκτοςeuprosdektos — Acceptable, pleasing, well-receivedG2144 — Full Word Study →; nowνῦνnyn — now, at the present timeG3568 — Full Word Study → is the day of salvationσωτηρίαςsōtērias — deliverance, rescue, salvationG4991 — Full Word Study →! 3We putδιδόντεςdidontes — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → noΜηδεμίανMēdemian — no one, nothing, not anyG3367 — Full Word Study → obstacleπροσκοπήνproskopēn — A stumbling block; cause of offense or ruinG4349 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → anyone’s way, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → no oneμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → can discreditμωμηθῇmōmēthē — to find fault with, blame, or criticizeG3469 — Full Word Study → our ministryδιακονίαdiakonia — Service, ministry, or officeG1248 — Full Word Study →. 4Ratherἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → servantsδιάκονοιdiakonoi — servant; one who servesG1249 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → we commendσυνιστάνοντεςsynistanontes — to commend, approve, or demonstrateG4921 — Full Word Study → ourselvesἑαυτοὺςheautous — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → every wayπαντὶpanti — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →: inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → greatπολλῇpollē — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → enduranceὑπομονῇhypomonē — Steadfast endurance; patient perseverance through trialsG5281 — Full Word Study →; inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → troublesθλίψεσινthlipsesin — Pressure, affliction, tribulationG2347 — Full Word Study →, hardshipsἀνάγκαιςanankais — necessity, compulsion, constraintG318 — Full Word Study →, and calamitiesστενοχωρίαιςstenochōriais — Narrow strait; severe distress or anguishG4730 — Full Word Study →; 5inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → beatingsπληγαῖςplēgais — A strike, wound, or plague; a blow or afflictionG4127 — Full Word Study →, imprisonmentsφυλακαῖςphylakais — Prison, guard post, or watchful keepingG5438 — Full Word Study →, and riots; inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → laborκόποιςkopois — Physical or spiritual labor; strenuous work and effortG2873 — Full Word Study →, sleepless nightsἀγρυπνίαιςagrypniais — sleeplessness, wakefulness, vigilant watchG70 — Full Word Study →, and hunger; 6inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → purityἁγνότητιhagnotēti — Purity, moral innocence, or spiritual cleannessG54 — Full Word Study →, knowledgeγνώσειgnōsei — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study →, patienceμακροθυμίᾳmakrothymia — Patient endurance; longsuffering forbearanceG3115 — Full Word Study →, and kindnessχρηστότητιchrēstotēti — Kindness, goodness, benevolenceG5544 — Full Word Study →; inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the Holy SpiritΠνεύματιPneumati — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → and in sincereἀνυποκρίτῳanypokritō — Genuine, unfeigned, without hypocrisyG505 — Full Word Study → loveἀγάπῃagapē — Self-giving love; covenant affectionG26 — Full Word Study →; 7inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → truthfulἀληθείαςalētheias — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study → speechλόγῳlogō — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → and in the power of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →; withδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → weaponsὅπλωνhoplōn — weapon or tool of warfareG3696 — Full Word Study → of righteousnessδικαιοσύνηςdikaiosynēs — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study → in theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → right handδεξιῶνdexiōn — right hand; right side; position of honor or authorityG1188 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → in the left; 8throughδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → gloryδόξηςdoxēs — Radiant honor, splendor, or divine brightnessG1391 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → dishonorἀτιμίαςatimias — Dishonor, shame, or disgraceG819 — Full Word Study →, slanderδυσφημίαςdysphēmias — Slander, evil report, defamatory speechG1426 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → praiseεὐφημίαςeuphēmias — Good reputation; honorable reportG2162 — Full Word Study →; viewed asὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → impostersπλάνοιplanoi — deceiving, seducing, wandering astrayG4108 — Full Word Study →, yetκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → genuineἀληθεῖςalētheis — genuine, true, authentic, realG227 — Full Word Study →; 9as unknownἀγνοούμενοιagnooumenoi — to be ignorant of; not to know or understandG50 — Full Word Study →, yetκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → well-knownἐπιγινωσκόμενοιepiginōskomenoi — to come to know, recognize, perceive fullyG1921 — Full Word Study →; dyingἀποθνήσκοντεςapothnēskontes — to die, to perish, to be put to deathG599 — Full Word Study →, and yetκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → we live onζῶμενzōmen — to live, be alive, existG2198 — Full Word Study →; punishedπαιδευόμενοιpaideuomenoi — to discipline, instruct, or trainG3811 — Full Word Study →, yetκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → not killedθανατούμενοιthanatoumenoi — to put to death; to kill or cause deathG2289 — Full Word Study →; 10sorrowfulλυπούμενοιlypoumenoi — To cause sorrow; to grieve or saddenG3076 — Full Word Study →, yetδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → alwaysἀεὶaei — always, perpetually, continuallyG104 — Full Word Study → rejoicingχαίροντεςchairontes — To rejoice, be glad, or greet with joyG5463 — Full Word Study →; poorπτωχοὶptōchoi — Poor, destitute, needy personG4434 — Full Word Study →, yetδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → making many richπλουτίζοντεςploutizontes — to make rich, to enrichG4148 — Full Word Study →; havingἔχοντεςechontes — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → nothingμηδὲνmēden — no one, nothing, not anyG3367 — Full Word Study →, and yetκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → possessingκατέχοντεςkatechontes — to hold fast, retain, or restrainG2722 — Full Word Study → everythingπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →. 11Weἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → have spoken freelyἀνέῳγενaneōgen — to open, to uncloseG455 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, CorinthiansΚορίνθιοιKorinthioi — A person from CorinthG2881 — Full Word Study →. Ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → heartsκαρδίαkardia — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study → are open wideπεπλάτυνταιpeplatyntai — to widen, enlarge, or make broadG4115 — Full Word Study →. 12It is notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → affectionσπλάγχνοιςsplanchnois — compassion, tender mercy, heart of sympathyG4698 — Full Word Study →, but yoursὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, that is restrainedστενοχωρεῖσθεstenochōreisthe — to press hard upon; to distress or constrainG4729 — Full Word Study →. 13As a fairαὐτὴνautēn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → exchangeἀντιμισθίανantimisthian — Recompense; reciprocal return or repaymentG489 — Full Word Study →, I ask you as my children: Open wideπλατύνθητεplatynthēte — to widen, enlarge, or make broadG4115 — Full Word Study → your hearts alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →. 14Do not beγίνεσθεginesthe — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → unequally yokedἑτεροζυγοῦντεςheterozygountes — to be unequally yoked; mismatch in partnershipG2086 — Full Word Study → with unbelieversἀπίστοιςapistois — Unbelieving, faithless, without trustG571 — Full Word Study →. Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → whatτίςtis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → partnership can righteousnessδικαιοσύνῃdikaiosynē — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study → have with wickednessἀνομίᾳanomia — violation of God's law; lawlessnessG458 — Full Word Study →? Orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → whatτίςtis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → fellowshipκοινωνίαkoinōnia — Fellowship; sharing in common; participationG2842 — Full Word Study → does light have withπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → darknessσκότοςskotos — darkness, obscurity, absence of lightG4655 — Full Word Study →? 15Whatτίςtis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → harmonyσυμφώνησιςsymphōnēsis — agreement, harmony, accordG4857 — Full Word Study → is there between Christ andπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → BelialΒελιάλBelial — Worthlessness, WickednessG955 — Full Word Study →? Orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → whatτίςtis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → does a believer have in commonμερὶςmeris — Part, portion, share, or lotG3310 — Full Word Study → withμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → an unbelieverἀπίστουapistou — Unbelieving, faithless, without trustG571 — Full Word Study →? 16Whatτίςtis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → agreementσυνκατάθεσιςsynkatathesis — Consent, agreement, or approvalG4783 — Full Word Study → can exist between the templeναῷnaō — inner sanctuary of a temple; holy of holiesG3485 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → and idols? Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → areἐσμενesmen — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → the temple of the living GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. Asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has saidεἶπενeipen — to speak, say, or tellG2036 — Full Word Study →: “I will dwellἘνοικήσωEnoikēsō — to dwell or reside inG1774 — Full Word Study → withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → themαὐτοῖςautois — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → walk among them, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → I will beἔσομαιesomai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → GodΘεόςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theyαὐτοὶautoi — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → will beἔσονταίesontai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → peopleλαόςlaos — a people; a nation; the common peopleG2992 — Full Word Study →.” 17ThereforeΔιὸDio — therefore, for this reason, whereforeG1352 — Full Word Study → come outἐξέλθατεexelthate — to go out, exit, or departG1831 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → among themαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → be separateἀφορίσθητεaphoristhēte — to set apart or separate distinctlyG873 — Full Word Study →, saysλέγειlegei — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → the Lord. Touchἅπτεσθεhaptesthe — to touch, lay hands on, kindleG680 — Full Word Study → noμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → unclean thing, and Iκἀγὼkagō — And I; I also; even IG2504 — Full Word Study → will receiveεἰσδέξομαιeisdexomai — to receive or welcome inG1523 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →.” 18AndΚαὶKai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →: “I will beἜσομαιEsomai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → a FatherΠατέραPatera — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study → to youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → will beἔσεσθέesesthe — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → Myμοιmoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → sonsυἱοὺςhuious — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → daughtersθυγατέραςthygateras — A female child or young woman; a daughterG2364 — Full Word Study →, saysλέγειlegei — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → the Lord AlmightyΠαντοκράτωρPantokratōr — All-powerful, Almighty RulerG3841 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — 2 Corinthians 6
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Second Corinthians 6 contains Paul's passionate appeal to the Corinthian believers to take their faith seriously and live it out with integrity. He begins by urging them not to waste God's grace, then describes his own apostolic sufferings and character as a model of genuine ministry. The chapter concludes with one of Scripture's clearest teachings on separation from unbelief—not isolation, but a firm boundary against compromising partnerships that would pull believers away from Christ. Throughout, Paul emphasizes that authentic Christianity requires both personal holiness and deliberate choices about our closest relationships.

Verses 1–2: The Urgency of Receiving Grace

Paul opens with a tender but urgent plea: don't let God's grace go to waste in your lives. He anchors this in Isaiah 49:8, reminding the Corinthians that now is the day of salvation—not tomorrow, not after you've sorted out your problems. The phrase "workers together with him" shows that believers are partners with God in the work of the Gospel. When we receive God's grace passively, failing to let it transform how we live and serve, we nullify its power. Paul is calling them (and us) to active, responsive faith.

Verses 3–10: The Character of a True Minister

Paul shifts to describe his own ministry as proof of his apostolic authenticity. Rather than boasting in privileges, he lists hardships: stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings, fastings (vv. 4–5). Yet he also catalogs spiritual virtues—purity, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Ghost, and love unfeigned (vv. 6–7). The word unfeigned (Greek: anupokritos) means genuine, without hypocrisy.

Verses 8–10 present striking paradoxes that capture the Christian life: "as deceivers, and yet true"; "as dying, and behold, we live"; "as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing." Paul isn't claiming he lived a double life; rather, he's showing how worldly judgment often misreads the faithful minister. True approval comes from God, not from human reputation. Application: Our spiritual integrity is proven not by comfort but by how we respond to suffering and opposition with Christ-like character.

Verses 11–13: An Appeal for Reciprocal Openness

Paul opens his heart to the Corinthians with transparency and affection, calling them "children." He tells them plainly: the barrier between us isn't my coldness toward you, but your own hesitation to fully trust me and my message. He invites them to enlarge their hearts toward him and toward God's truth in the same way he has enlarged his heart toward them. This is a pastor's gentle rebuke wrapped in love.

Verses 14–18: Separation from Unbelief

Paul now addresses a critical issue: the Corinthians' tendency toward close relationships with unbelievers. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (v. 14) uses the image of oxen pulling in opposite directions. The rhetorical questions that follow—concerning righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial (Satan)—make the incompatibility clear.

Paul doesn't say "never associate with unbelievers," but rather warns against binding partnerships (marriage, close business ventures, spiritual mentorship) that would compromise faith. The temple analogy (vv. 16–17) emphasizes that believers themselves are God's dwelling place; therefore, separation from idolatry and spiritual compromise isn't legalism but worship. The promise of verses 17–18 is remarkable: obedience to separation brings the reward of God's fatherhood and His adoption into His family.

Application for Today

Today's believers must ask: Are we truly receiving God's grace and letting it work through us? Do our lives show the fruit of the Spirit even in difficulty? And crucially, are our closest relationships—marriage, business partners, spiritual mentors—drawing us closer to Christ or away? Paul calls us to radical allegiance to Jesus that shapes every major decision. This isn't about fear of the world; it's about love for God and clarity about who shapes our souls.

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