2 Corinthians 6:1

συνεργοῦντες δὲ καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν κ. τ. λ.: and working together (that is, with God, as is plain from chap. 2 Corinthians 5:20, and also in connexion with 1 Corinthians 3:9; cf. Acts 15:4), we, sc., I, Paul, entreat also (cf. chap. 2 Corinthians 5:20, Θεοῦ παρακαλοῦντος διʼ ἡμῶν) that ye receive not the grace of God (a general phrase, frequently used by St. Paul to express the favours and privileges offered to the members of the Church of Christ, not to be limited to grace given at any special moment, as, e.g., at baptism) in vain (see reff. and cf. Hebrews 12:15). Note that “the grace of God” may be “received” in vain; it is offered, independently of man's faith and obedience, but it will not profit without these. The choice in the Anglican Liturgy of 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 as the epistle for the First Sunday in Lent, when the Ember Collect is said on behalf of those to be ordained in the next week, is especially happy; the magnificent description of the characteristics and the conditions of a faithful Christian ministry (2 Corinthians 6:4-10) being prefaced by the solemn warning of 2 Corinthians 6:1-3.