2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (WEL) So then, working together, we also encourage you not to receive God’s grace for no purpose. 2 For he says, “I heard you in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look! Now is the acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation. [Isaiah 49:8]
Chapter summary:
Utley: 2 Corinthians 6:1 of this chapter is the crux to the interpretation of the entire chapter. The context involves the believers of the church at Corinth and, therefore, does not involve apostasy (see Special Topic at 1 Corinthians 6:9), but failure to live the Christian life effectively.”
V1 So then, working together, we also encourage you not to receive God’s grace for no purpose.
There is importance in working together. Everything is more helpful, effective, and joyful when believers work together. Yet, not everyone is a believer even if they claim to be.
God has a purpose for a Christian’s life. God’s grace is not only for salvation but the blessings of the Holy Spirit and His gifts to us. We must use our spiritual gifts 1) for ministering to the local believers, and 2) for evangelism.
We must learn: 1) by reading and studying the Bible, 2) fellowship with fellow believers, and 3) prayer.
Utley: “The infinitive is aorist, which refers to the Corinthian believers receiving Christ. But the “in vain” refers to the purpose of salvation, which is fruitfulness for the Kingdom, not just personal salvation. Paul often used this term to express this expected Kingdom service (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 15:14; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:5). This concept is parallel to Paul’s use of “walk” in Ephesians (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:2; Ephesians 5:15).”
V2 For he says, “I heard you in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look! Now is the acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation. [Isaiah 49:8]
The acceptable time was when the Holy Spirit initiated our salvation. When He called, we believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since God showed mercy and grace to us by the Gospel itself and salvation, He surely is the one to motivate us to use our spiritual gifts. The acceptable time for believers is to serve Him.
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) “Paul’s emphasis is on the now as the day of grace, not to be spurned for the message of false teachers.”
ZerrCBC: “The present one is a quotation from Isa 49:8, and the connection of that passage shows the prophet was predicting the offer of salvation to the Gentiles. The Corinthians were Gentiles and hence were among the ones to whom the prediction applied. That prediction was in effect at the time Paul was writing, hence he informs them now is the accepted time. That is why he insists that they make good use of the opportunity.”
Bible Knowledge Commentary: “Paul’s quotation from Isaiah 49:8 was a rebuttal to Judaizers who wanted to impose the Mosaic Law as a means of obtaining righteousness. In Isaiah God announced that salvation would be universally offered not only to stubborn Israel but also to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6). The quotation underscored the fact that salvation is God’s initiative: in… My favor I heard you, and… I helped you. Jesus inaugurated this message of God’s grace in His ministry (Luke 4:18-21) and Paul communicated it. The day of salvation is the present Age of Grace. Paul urged the Corinthians not to spurn that grace by turning to Judaistic legalism (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:12-16; Galatians 3:1-6). To do so would be “to receive God’s grace in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1).
We learn:
- God’s grace has been, is, will be, and always will be present.
- We are to make the most of the opportunities to live as Christians.
Questions:
- Have you received God’s grace?
- Are you living for Christ?