2 Corinthians 6:1

CHAPTER VI.

We should not receive the grace of God in vain, having such

promises of support from him, 1, 2.

We should act so as to bring no disgrace on the Gospel, 3.

How the apostles behaved themselves, preached, suffered, and

rejoiced, 4-10.

St. Paul's affectionate concern for the Corinthians, 11-13.

He counsels them not to be yoked with unbelievers, and advances

several arguments why they should avoid them, 14-16.

Exhorts them to avoid evil companions and evil practices, on

the promise that God will be their Father and that they shall

be his sons and his daughters, 17, 18,

NOTES ON CHAP. VI.

Verse 2 Corinthians 6:1. We then, as workers together with him] συνεργουντες δε και παρακαλουμεν. The two last words, with him, are not in the text, and some supply the place thus: we then, as workers together WITH YOU, and the Armenian version seems to have read it so; but no MS. has this reading, and no other version. For my own part I see nothing wanting in the text if we only suppose the term apostles; we, (i.e. apostles,) being fellow workers, also entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

By the grace of God, την χαριν του θεου, this grace or benefit of God, the apostle certainly means the grand sacrificial offering of Christ for the sin of the world, which he had just before mentioned in speaking of the ministry of reconciliation. We learn, therefore, that it was possible to receive the grace of God and not ultimately benefit by it; or, in other words, to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Should any one say that it is the ministry of reconciliation, that is, the benefit of apostolic preaching, that they might receive in vain; I answer, that the apostolic preaching, and the whole ministry of reconciliation, could be no benefit to any man farther than it might have been a means of conveying to him the salvation of God. And it is most evident that the apostle has in view that grace or benefit that reconciles us to God, and makes us Divinely righteous. And this, and all other benefits of the death of Christ, may be received in vain.