Embracing God’s Grace: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6

Executive Summary ✨

2 Corinthians 6, titled **Embracing God’s Grace**, is a profound exploration of the Christian ministry’s trials and triumphs, coupled with a fervent plea for believers to separate themselves from idolatry and worldly corruption. Paul, drawing upon his personal experiences of immense hardship – afflictions, needs, distresses, stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, and fastings – underscores the authenticity and divine power inherent in his apostolic work. He emphasizes the virtues that define genuine ministry: purity, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit, sincere love, truthfulness, and the power of God. Paul then passionately urges the Corinthians not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, invoking the profound incompatibility between righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial. The chapter culminates in a call for holiness and separation from defilement, promising God’s acceptance and paternal love to those who heed His call.

This chapter provides a powerful framework for understanding Christian ministry and the vital importance of maintaining spiritual purity. It challenges us to examine our commitments, ensuring they align with God’s will, and to actively pursue holiness in all aspects of our lives. **Embracing God’s Grace** requires active participation in His transforming power, a commitment deeply resonant within the Coptic Orthodox tradition.

Introduction

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul continues his defense of his apostleship and further instructs the Corinthian church on how to live a life pleasing to God. He presents his own sufferings as proof of the authenticity of his ministry and then calls on the Corinthians to avoid being unequally yoked with unbelievers, warning against the dangers of idolatry and compromise. This chapter offers profound insights into the challenges of Christian ministry and the importance of maintaining a distinct identity in a world often hostile to the Gospel.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

2 Corinthians 6:1 (KJV)

Original Text: Συνεργοῦντες δὲ παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ εἰς κενὸν τὴν χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ δέξασθαι ὑμᾶς.

KJV: We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

NKJV: We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Paul begins by emphasizing their role as “workers together” (συνεργοῦντες) with God. This isn’t about partnership in the sense of equal contribution, but rather, it highlights the apostle’s role as instruments through whom God works. “The grace of God” (τὴν χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ) refers to the unmerited favor of God extended through Christ. Paul warns against receiving this grace “in vain” (εἰς κενὸν), meaning to accept it without allowing it to transform one’s life. To receive God’s grace and not bear fruit is to render it void.

Practical Application: Have we truly allowed God’s grace to penetrate our hearts and reshape our lives, or have we merely accepted it intellectually without experiencing its transformative power? We must actively cultivate our relationship with God, striving for holiness and obedience. Let us remember the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-23), lest the seeds of grace fall on barren ground.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)

Original Text: λέγει γάρ· καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσά σου καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι· ἰδοὺ νῦν καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος, ἰδοὺ νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας.

KJV: (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.)

NKJV: For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8, highlighting the immediacy and urgency of embracing God’s salvation. “In an acceptable time” (καιρῷ δεκτῷ) refers to a favorable season, a moment of divine opportunity. “The day of salvation” (ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας) is now. The repetition of “behold, now” (ἰδοὺ νῦν) emphasizes that procrastination is dangerous. Salvation is not a future event; it’s a present reality to be seized.

St. Athanasius the Apostolic in *Against the Heathen* writes, “Τότε γὰρ ὤφθη ὁ Λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἵνα τοὺς ἀπολωλότας εὑρεῖν δυνηθῇ.” (Then the Word of God appeared on earth, that He might be able to find those who are lost) (*Athanasius, Against the Heathen*, 41.5).

Practical Application: We must not delay in responding to God’s call. Every moment is a precious opportunity to draw closer to Him and embrace the fullness of His salvation. Are we living with a sense of urgency, recognizing the eternal significance of our choices today? Let us not postpone repentance or acts of love and service.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (KJV)

Original Text: μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπὴν ἵνα μὴ μωμηθῇ ἡ διακονία, ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ συνιστάντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς Θεοῦ διάκονοι, ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις, ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις, ἐν κόποις, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν νηστείαις, ἐν ἁγνότητι, ἐν γνώσει, ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ, ἐν χρηστότητι, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ, ἐν λόγῳ ἀληθείας, ἐν δυνάμει Θεοῦ, διὰ τῶν ὅπλων τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῶν δεξιῶν καὶ ἀριστερῶν, διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας, διὰ δυσφημίας καὶ εὐφημίας· ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς, ὡς ἀγνοούμενοι καὶ ἐπιγινωσκόμενοι, ὡς ἀποθνῄσκοντες καὶ ἰδοὺ ζῶμεν, ὡς παιδευόμενοι καὶ μὴ θανατούμενοι, ὡς λυπούμενοι ἀεὶ δὲ χαίροντες, ὡς πτωχοὶ πολλοὺς δὲ πλουτίζοντες, ὡς μηδὲν ἔχοντες καὶ πάντα κατέχοντες.

KJV: Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

NKJV: We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor 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 chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

This extended passage is a powerful defense of Paul’s ministry. He emphasizes his commitment to “giving no offense” (μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπὴν) to avoid bringing reproach upon the Gospel. He then lists a series of hardships he has endured: “afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings.” These were all common experiences for early Christians traveling the Roman roads (dohost.us) and cities of the empire. These hardships, however, are not ends in themselves; they serve to highlight the virtues by which Paul commends himself as a “minister of God” (ὡς Θεοῦ διάκονοι): “pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God.” He lives in paradoxical tension: “as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

The phrase “the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left” (τῶν ὅπλων τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῶν δεξιῶν καὶ ἀριστερῶν) is a metaphor for spiritual warfare. It signifies a readiness to defend the truth and advance the Gospel, regardless of the opposition.

Practical Application: True Christian service is often marked by suffering and sacrifice. Are we willing to endure hardship for the sake of Christ? Do we strive to embody the virtues that Paul describes? We must remember that our strength comes not from ourselves but from God, who equips us with His grace and power to overcome any obstacle. We should cultivate patience, kindness, and unwavering faith, even in the face of adversity.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (KJV)

Original Text: Τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν ἀνέῳγεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, Κορίνθιοι, ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν πεπλάτυνται. οὐ στενοχωρεῖσθε ἐν ἡμῖν, στενοχωρεῖσθε δὲ ἐν τοῖς σπλάγχνοις ὑμῶν. τὴν δὲ αὐτὴν ἀντιμισθίαν, ὡς τέκνοις λέγω, πλατύνθητε καὶ ὑμεῖς.

KJV: O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

NKJV: O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

Paul expresses his deep affection for the Corinthians. “Our mouth is open unto you” (Τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν ἀνέῳγεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς) signifies his honesty and transparency. “Our heart is enlarged” (ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν πεπλάτυνται) reflects his boundless love and concern for them. The issue isn’t that Paul is limiting them (“Ye are not straitened in us”), but that they are limiting themselves (“but ye are straitened in your own bowels”), likely due to internal divisions and worldly attachments. He urges them to reciprocate his love and openness (“be ye also enlarged”).

Practical Application: Authentic Christian relationships are characterized by honesty, vulnerability, and mutual affection. Are we open and transparent with our fellow believers? Do we allow our hearts to be enlarged by love and compassion? We must break down the barriers of pride, fear, and prejudice that hinder genuine fellowship.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (KJV)

Original Text: Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ; τίς δὲ κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος; τίς δὲ συμφώνησις Χριστῷ πρὸς Βελίαρ; ἢ τίς μερὶς πιστῷ μετὰ ἀπίστου; τίς δὲ συνκατάθεσις ναῷ Θεοῦ μετὰ εἰδώλων; ἡμεῖς γὰρ ναὸς Θεοῦ ἐσμεν ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ Θεός ὅτι ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν Θεὸς καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι λαός.

KJV: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 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.

NKJV: Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

This is perhaps the most well-known passage in this chapter. Paul commands the Corinthians, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις). This is not simply a prohibition of marriage with unbelievers (although it certainly applies there), but a broader warning against forming close alliances or partnerships with those who do not share Christian values. He employs a series of rhetorical questions to emphasize the incompatibility: “what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” (Belial is a term for the devil). He grounds this command in the reality that believers are “the temple of the living God” (ναὸς Θεοῦ ἐσμεν ζῶντος), citing Leviticus 26:12, Ezekiel 37:27, and Isaiah 52:11.

Practical Application: We must exercise discernment in our relationships, choosing to associate with those who share our commitment to Christ. While we are called to love and witness to unbelievers, we must not compromise our faith or allow ourselves to be influenced by their ungodly values. This applies to friendships, business partnerships, and especially marriage. The Coptic Orthodox Church places a strong emphasis on marrying within the faith, precisely for this reason. We must be vigilant in protecting our spiritual purity.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (KJV)

Original Text: διὸ ἔξελθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε, κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ.

KJV: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

NKJV: Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

Paul concludes the chapter with a call to separation and holiness, drawing upon Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20:34, and 2 Samuel 7:14. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (διὸ ἔξελθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε) is a command to sever ties with anything that defiles the spirit. In return, God promises to “receive you” (εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς) and be a “Father” (πατέρα) to them, adopting them as His “sons and daughters” (υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας). This is a powerful affirmation of God’s love and acceptance for those who turn away from sin and embrace holiness.

Practical Application: Holiness is not an optional extra for Christians; it is a fundamental requirement. We must actively seek to purify ourselves from all forms of defilement, both inward and outward. This includes separating ourselves from ungodly influences, resisting temptation, and pursuing righteousness in all aspects of our lives. God promises to be a Father to those who obey Him, offering them His love, protection, and provision. We must embrace our identity as His children and live in a manner worthy of our calling.

Subtopic: The Paradox of Christian Ministry

Paul’s description of his ministry in 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 presents a series of seeming contradictions, a paradox at the heart of Christian service.

• Weakness and Strength: The minister endures hardship and suffering, yet draws strength from God to persevere. This echoes the Lord’s words to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• Poverty and Wealth: The minister may lack material possessions, but enriches others spiritually. This is seen in the lives of countless saints who have given generously of their time, talent, and resources, despite their own limited means.
• Sorrow and Joy: The minister experiences sorrow over the sins of others and the brokenness of the world, yet finds joy in the hope of the Gospel and the fellowship of believers. This reflects the example of Christ, who wept over Jerusalem but also rejoiced in the Father’s will.
• Death and Life: The minister may face persecution and even death for the sake of Christ, yet experiences eternal life through faith. This is the ultimate paradox, demonstrating the power of the resurrection to overcome the sting of death.

FAQ ❓

Q: What does it mean to be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers?

A: Being “unequally yoked” refers to entering into a relationship or partnership with someone who does not share your core values and beliefs. This can lead to spiritual compromise, conflict, and ultimately, a weakening of one’s faith. It’s not just about romantic relationships but also business partnerships and close friendships. The key is to consider how the other person’s worldview and actions may affect your walk with Christ.

Q: How can I practically separate myself from “unclean things” in today’s world?

A: Separating yourself from “unclean things” requires intentionality and discernment. It involves identifying sources of temptation and defilement in your life, such as harmful media, negative influences, and sinful habits, and then taking concrete steps to distance yourself from them. This also means actively seeking out wholesome and uplifting influences, such as prayer, Scripture reading, fellowship with other believers, and acts of service.

Q: What if I am already in a relationship or partnership with an unbeliever?

A: This is a complex situation that requires prayerful consideration and wise counsel. While separation may be necessary in some cases, it’s not always the answer. In a marriage, for example, the Apostle Paul advises believers to remain with their unbelieving spouse if the spouse is willing to stay (1 Corinthians 7:12-16). However, it’s crucial to maintain your spiritual integrity and not compromise your faith. Seek guidance from your priest or spiritual father to navigate this challenging situation.

Conclusion

2 Corinthians 6 presents a compelling vision of the Christian life as one marked by both hardship and triumph. Paul’s personal testimony, coupled with his impassioned plea for separation from idolatry, challenges us to examine our priorities and commitments. **Embracing God’s Grace** necessitates a willingness to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, a commitment to living a life of holiness, and a discernment in our relationships. This chapter’s message resounds deeply with the teachings of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline, unwavering faith, and a deep love for God. As we strive to live out these principles, we can experience the fullness of God’s grace and become true reflections of His love in the world.

Tags

2 Corinthians, Paul’s Ministry, Holiness, Separation, Grace, Coptic Orthodox, Patristic Commentary, Unequally Yoked, Temple of God, Spiritual Warfare

Meta Description

Explore 2 Corinthians 6: Paul’s ministry, hardships, and call for separation. A Coptic Orthodox commentary on **Embracing God’s Grace** in trials and triumph.