6:1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)
6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
6:4 But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;
6:9 As unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
6:11 O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
6:13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto [my] children,) be ye also enlarged.
6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
[1] {come out from among them} Separation, Summary: (1) Separation in Scripture is twofold: "from" whatever is contrary to the mind of God; and "unto" God Himself. The underlying principle is that in a moral universe it is impossible for God to fully bless and use His children who are in compromise or complicity with evil. The unequal yoke is anything which unites a child of God and an unbeliever in a common purpose # De 22:10 (2) Separation from evil implies
(a) separation in desire, motive, and act, from the world, in the ethically bad sense of this present world-system ¯ See Note "Re 13:8" and (b) separation from believers, especially false teachers, who are "vessels unto dishonour"
# 2Ti 2:20,21 2Jo 1:9-11 (3) Separation is not from contact with evil in the world or the church, but from complicity with and conformity to # Joh 17:15 2Co 6:14-18 Ga 6:1 (4) The reward of separation is the full manifestation of the divine fatherhood # 2Co 6:17,18 unhindered communion and worship # Heb 13:13-15 and fruitful service # 2Ti 2:21 as world-conformity involves the loss of these, though not of salvation. Here, as in all else, Christ is the model. He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners" # Heb 7:26 and yet in such contact with them for their salvation that the Pharisees, who illustrate the mechanical and ascetic conception of separation ¯ See Note "Mt 3:7" judged Him as having lost His Nazarite character. # Lu 7:39 Cf # 1Co 9:19-23 10:27
6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
