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2 Corinthians 6: Expository Preaching and Study Guide

Overview

2 Corinthians 6 continues Paul’s heartfelt appeal to the Corinthian believers, calling them to a life of holiness, spiritual integrity, and unwavering loyalty to Christ. Flowing from the ministry of reconciliation described in chapter 5, Paul pleads with them not to receive God’s grace in vain. He outlines the hardships of gospel ministry, presents his ministry credentials through suffering and righteousness, and urges believers to be separate from the world, aligning themselves wholly with God.

Key elements include:

  • A call to respond to God’s grace with urgency and obedience (vv. 1–2)

  • A testimony of Paul’s suffering and perseverance in ministry (vv. 3–10)

  • An emotional plea for reconciliation and open-heartedness (vv. 11–13)

  • A strong exhortation for separation from unbelief and spiritual compromise (vv. 14–18)

Theologically, this chapter reinforces the seriousness of salvation, the cost of gospel ministry, and the necessity of holiness. It elevates the sufficiency of God’s grace, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the believer’s identity as the temple of the living God.

Historical and Literary Context

Historical Background

Paul writes this second letter to the Corinthian church during a time of relational tension. He is defending his apostleship against critics and calling the church to greater spiritual maturity. The Corinthians were surrounded by pagan influences in Corinth—a wealthy, morally corrupt city known for idolatry and temple prostitution. The early church was tempted to accommodate these cultural pressures.

Paul’s tone in this chapter is deeply personal. He speaks not only as a theological teacher but as a spiritual father pleading with his children. The hardships listed are not abstract; they are Paul’s lived experience as a minister of Christ. His appeal for separation is rooted in Israel‘s covenant identity, now applied to the church as God’s holy people.

Literary Structure

This chapter is structured in three main movements:

  1. An urgent call to action (vv. 1–2)

  2. A portrait of authentic gospel ministry (vv. 3–10)

  3. A plea for spiritual purity and separation (vv. 11–18)

Paul blends exhortation, autobiography, and Old Testament allusion, especially in the final verses, where he quotes several scriptures to reinforce the call to holiness. This reflects Paul’s high view of Scripture and continuity between the Old and New Covenants.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

1. Do Not Receive God’s Grace in Vain (vv. 1–2)

Paul’s statement implies that it is possible to experience the offer of grace and yet not respond properly. Grace calls for transformation. Evangelically, this reinforces that true saving faith produces fruit (cf. James 2:14-26). It is not merely profession, but possession of the gospel that matters.

  • Doctrinal Emphasis: Human responsibility in responding to grace

  • Application: Evangelism must include both the invitation and the imperative—repent and believe.

2. Authentic Ministry Reflects Christ through Suffering (vv. 3–10)

Paul’s list of hardships—beatings, imprisonments, sleepless nights, purity, and patience—shows that gospel ministry is often marked by suffering, not success. This contrasts with the prosperity gospel and affirms the biblical norm that faithfulness is often proven through adversity.

  • Doctrinal Emphasis: Perseverance of the saints; suffering as a mark of true discipleship (cf. Philippians 1:29)

  • Application: Church leaders must prepare their congregations for hardship, not just comfort.

3. Emotional Plea for Reconciliation (vv. 11–13)

Paul opens his heart and expresses his deep affection for the Corinthians. His plea is relational and loving, not manipulative. He desires restored fellowship, which mirrors the reconciliation God desires with sinners.

  • Doctrinal Emphasis: The body of Christ must walk in relational love and truth.

  • Application: Pastors and leaders must model open-hearted ministry, even when hurt.

4. The Call to Separation and Holiness (vv. 14–18)

Paul commands believers not to be yoked with unbelievers. This yoke language suggests partnership or entanglement that pulls believers away from God’s purposes. This passage is often misapplied only to marriage but should be applied more broadly to any spiritual or ethical compromise with the world.

  • Doctrinal Emphasis: Holiness and the distinctiveness of God’s people (cf. Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:16)

  • Application: Christians must not compromise their allegiance to Christ for acceptance or ease in the world.

Theological Significance

  • God’s Sovereignty and Grace: God initiates salvation and calls people to respond in faith. His grace is not passive; it demands transformation.

  • Suffering in the Christian Life: Faithfulness is often tested through hardship. Ministry is not a path to ease but a call to endurance.

  • Separation unto God: Believers are temples of the living God, set apart for His glory. This reinforces a biblical theology of sanctification.

Christ-Centered Focus

This chapter reflects Christ’s own life and ministry:

  • Jesus bore afflictions, was falsely accused, and yet remained faithful.

  • Jesus reconciled sinners to God, opening His heart fully to them.

  • Jesus called His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him in a life of holiness and separation.

Ultimately, Paul’s exhortations mirror the life and call of Christ—to suffer for righteousness, to love deeply, and to live holy.

Cross-References for Study

Verse-by-Verse Analysis – 2 Corinthians 6 (NIV)

Verses 1–2: A Call to Respond to Grace Urgently

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

  • Explanation: Paul sees himself and his fellow ministers as synergoi—“co-workers” with God (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:9). This highlights the privilege and responsibility of gospel ministry. Yet, he warns that it’s possible to receive the message of grace and not allow it to produce fruit.

  • Cross-reference: Isaiah 49:8 (quoted here) originally applied to the Servant of the Lord, fulfilled in Christ (Luke 4:19). Paul now applies this message to the present church age—the gospel era.

  • Application: Today is the day to respond—procrastination with spiritual decisions is dangerous. Leaders must call people to urgent faith and repentance.

Verses 3–10: Paul’s Ministry Credentials Through Suffering

“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited…” (vv. 3–4a)

  • Explanation: Paul’s life matches his message. His list of trials (vv. 4b–5) reflects real sacrificial service: afflictions, beatings, imprisonments, and more. Verses 6–7 emphasize holy character, and verses 8–10 show the paradox of the Christian life: “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”.

  • Doctrinal Insight: Ministry integrity is proven not in comfort but in perseverance under hardship, mirroring Christ’s own suffering (cf. Philippians 3:10).

  • Application: Church leaders must be examples of Christlike endurance and integrity in word and deed.

Verses 11–13: A Plea for Open Hearts

“We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.”

  • Explanation: Paul shifts tone—he appeals emotionally. He has not withheld his love or spiritual investment. He now urges reciprocity: “open wide your hearts also.”

  • Cross-reference: Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 – Paul’s heart-driven ministry.

  • Application: Leadership must model relational transparency. True spiritual growth happens where there is mutual trust, humility, and restoration.

Verses 14–16: Do Not Be Unequally Yoked

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…”

  • Explanation: A yoke binds two animals together to pull a plow. Paul uses this imagery to warn believers against binding themselves in partnerships that compromise faith. He offers five rhetorical contrasts (righteousness/wickedness, light/darkness, Christ/Belial, etc.) to emphasize the incompatibility.

  • Doctrinal Insight: The church is called to holiness (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:15-16). This does not mean isolation, but separation from spiritual compromise.

  • Application: This principle applies to marriage, business, ministry partnerships, and lifestyle choices. Leaders must teach discernment without legalism.

Verses 16–18: God’s Promise of Indwelling and Fatherhood

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people…”

  • Explanation: Paul quotes a string of Old Testament promises (cf. Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Isaiah 52:11; 2 Samuel 7:14) and applies them to the New Covenant community. The climax is God’s declaration: “I will be a Father to you”.

  • Doctrinal Insight: These verses highlight adoption, a key gospel doctrine (Romans 8:15-17). Believers are God’s children—set apart to reflect His nature.

  • Application: The motivation for holiness isn’t legalism—it’s relationship. God’s presence and fatherhood compel a holy, obedient life.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

1. Christ as the Fulfillment of the “Day of Salvation”

  • The “day of salvation” (v. 2) has been inaugurated by Christ’s death and resurrection.

  • Jesus is the Servant prophesied in Isaiah 49:8. Paul identifies this new era of salvation as now, centered in the person and work of Christ.

Hebrews 1:2 – “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”

2. Christ as the Suffering Servant and Pattern for Ministry

  • Paul’s life (vv. 3–10) reflects Jesus’ own pattern of ministry—obedience through suffering (Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:21).

  • Gospel ministers do not seek worldly success but Christlike servanthood and faithfulness.

3. Christ as the Believer’s Righteousness and Purity

  • The contrast between righteousness and wickedness (v. 14) finds its resolution in Christ:


     2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us…”

  • Holiness is rooted in union with Christ, not moral performance alone. Our calling is to walk in step with our new identity in Him.

4. Christ as the Temple and Dwelling Place of God

Connection to God the Father

1. God the Father Initiates Salvation

  • Verse 1 makes clear: Paul is God’s co-worker. The gospel initiative originates with God the Father. It is His grace being offered.

  • John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…”

2. God the Father Establishes Covenant Relationship

  • Verses 16–18 reflect the covenantal language of God the Father with His people.

    • “I will be their God… I will be a Father to you.”

    • This recalls God’s covenant with Israel, now expanded to include Jew and Gentile in Christ.

3. God the Father Calls His Children to Holiness

  • The command to “come out and be separate” flows not from wrath, but from a Father’s love for His children.

  • Hebrews 12:10 – “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.”

4. God the Father Dwells Among His People

  • The promise “I will live with them and walk among them” (v. 16) echoes Eden (Gen. 3:8) and looks forward to Revelation 21:3:


     “God’s dwelling place is now among the people… They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

Connection to the Holy Spirit

While the Holy Spirit is not directly named in this chapter, His presence is foundational and implied throughout:

1. The Spirit Empowers Ministry (vv. 3–10)

Paul’s endurance in trials, purity, knowledge, patience, and love come not from human strength but from “the Holy Spirit” (v. 6). This brief but powerful mention reminds us that faithful ministry is not self-driven but Spirit-empowered.

Galatians 5:22-23 – The qualities listed mirror the fruit of the Spirit.
 Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”

2. The Spirit Indwells Believers (v. 16)

“For we are the temple of the living God.”
 This temple imagery links to 1 Corinthians 6:19, where Paul says believers’ bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Spirit makes separation from sin not just a rule—but a reality empowered from within.

3. The Spirit Sanctifies God’s People

The call to be separate (vv. 17–18) is a call to sanctification, a work that the Holy Spirit carries out in the life of the believer.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – “God chose you… to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: “Don’t Waste God’s Grace: Living Set Apart in the Day of Salvation”

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:1-18 (NIV)

Introduction

  • Brief story: A man receives a winning lottery ticket but never claims the prize—he received grace, but in vain.

  • Transition: Paul warns the church not to do the same spiritually—to receive God’s grace in vain.

I. Respond Urgently to God’s Grace (vv. 1–2)

Main Point: Salvation is now. Don’t delay.

  • Application: Challenge hearers to repent and trust Christ fully today.

  • Example: Evangelistic call—illustrate with someone who waited too long to respond to Christ and faced regret.

II. Endure Faithfully as God’s Servants (vv. 3–10)

Main Point: Ministry isn’t glamorous; it’s marked by trials and godliness.

  • Transition: If you follow Christ, expect both suffering and strength.

  • Application: Encourage pastors, leaders, and members to persevere.

  • Example: Use missionary stories (e.g., Adoniram Judson, Elisabeth Elliot) who endured hardship with joy.

III. Love Honestly and Reconcile Humbly (vv. 11–13)

Main Point: Ministry must be relationally open and sincere.

  • Application: Church leaders must model vulnerability and pursue reconciliation.

  • Personal Story: Share a time when reconciliation with a brother or sister brought healing.

IV. Live Holy and Separated for God (vv. 14–18)

Main Point: Believers must not be yoked with unbelief or compromise truth.

  • Transition: Holiness is not legalism—it’s relational loyalty to the Father.

  • Application: Apply to marriage, business ethics, entertainment choices, and identity.

  • Illustration: Being unequally yoked is like tying a racehorse to a donkey—they pull in different directions.

Conclusion:

  • Reiterate: God’s grace is here—now. Christ has made you His. The Spirit dwells in you. The Father calls you His child.

  • Call to Action:

    • For unbelievers: Respond to the gospel today—“Now is the day of salvation.”

    • For believers: Renew your commitment to holiness, open your heart to reconciliation, and serve with Spirit-empowered endurance.

Illustrations and Examples

1. Modern Illustration – The Gift Left Unopened

A man receives a beautifully wrapped gift from a dear friend, but places it on the shelf. Days turn into years, and it gathers dust—never opened.

Paul’s warning is the same: Don’t let God’s grace remain unopened in your life. Use it, live it, respond to it.

2. Personal Story – Open Hearts in Ministry

A pastor once shared how deeply hurt he was when a family left the church without explanation. Yet he kept his heart open, prayed for them, and even visited them later. Years after, they returned, healed and restored.

Ministry done with open hearts (v. 11) will sometimes hurt—but it also heals.

3. Analogy – Yoked Together

Imagine tying a strong ox to a wild horse with a plow between them. They’d pull in opposite directions, ruin the field, and injure each other.

Paul uses this image to say: Don’t be unequally yoked. You can’t live for Christ and pull with the world.

4. Cultural Example – Integrity in the Workplace

A Christian businessman is offered a lucrative partnership with a firm known for unethical practices. He walks away from millions.

Why? Because he understood 2 Corinthians 6:14-18—he refused to be unequally yoked.

Application for Today’s Christian

2 Corinthians 6 is deeply practical for believers navigating a world that often opposes biblical faith. It speaks to discipleship, stewardship, and spiritual integrity in everyday life.

1. Discipleship: Following Christ with Courage and Conviction

  • Respond to Grace with Action: Salvation is not just a past decision but an ongoing life of obedience. Believers should evaluate whether they’re living in a way that reflects the grace they’ve received.


     “Now is the day of salvation.” (v. 2)

  • Walk in Holiness: Christians must examine their relationships, media intake, values, and habits—ensuring they reflect God’s holiness, not the world’s values.

Practical Steps:

  • Set spiritual boundaries in friendships, dating, and business partnerships.

  • Regularly confess and forsake sin through accountability.

  • Choose to obey God’s Word even when it costs you socially or financially.

2. Stewardship: Representing Christ Faithfully

  • Use trials as a platform for witness: Just as Paul did, believers today can display Christ’s power through their weaknesses (vv. 3–10). Time, suffering, and service are all part of our stewardship.

  • Guard ministry integrity: Avoid causing offense by how we live. Ministry is more than what we preach—it is how we live before others.

Practical Steps:

  • Treat time, talents, and finances as God’s resources.

  • Serve even when unrecognized, imitating Paul’s perseverance.

  • Maintain transparency and humility in leadership roles.

3. Living Out Faith in the World

  • Be spiritually distinct, not isolated: Separation from sin is not withdrawal from sinners, but discernment in relationships. Christians should engage the world without being entangled by it (vv. 14–17).

  • Love openly and pursue reconciliation: Like Paul, believers should lead with truth and affection in difficult conversations (vv. 11–13).

Practical Steps:

  • Say no to partnerships that would compromise your witness.

  • Make room in your heart for others, even after hurt or disappointment.

  • Practice forgiveness and foster unity in the church.

Connection to God’s Love

Though this chapter calls for holiness and spiritual vigilance, it is grounded in God’s deep love and desire for relationship with His people.

1. God’s Fatherly Heart (vv. 17–18)

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

This is the language of adoption and affection. God is not a distant ruler issuing rules—He is a loving Father calling His children to live like they belong to Him.

  • His commands for separation are not rejection but protection and formation.

  • He longs to dwell with us and walk with us, just as He did in Eden.

2. God’s Love Through Reconciliation

The backdrop to this chapter is 2 Corinthians 5, where Paul outlines the message of reconciliation. Chapter 6 continues that theme—calling believers not to harden their hearts or turn away from God’s grace.

  • God’s love is active and urgent. “Now is the time.”

  • He offers restoration not just to the world but also to wayward believers.

3. God’s Love Shown in Empowered Endurance

The Spirit empowers believers to live faithfully through trials—not just survive but thrive with joy, purity, and truth. God’s love is seen in how He sustains His people in every hardship (vv. 4–10).

“Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

Broader Biblical Themes

2 Corinthians 6 fits seamlessly into the larger story of Scripture, drawing on major themes that span from Genesis to Revelation.

1. Creation and God’s Dwelling with Man

“I will live with them and walk among them…” (v. 16)

  • Echoes Genesis 3:8, when God walked with Adam and Eve. Sin broke that fellowship.

  • The temple and tabernacle in the Old Testament symbolized God’s intent to dwell among His people.

  • In Christ, this promise is restored through the Spirit, and fully realized in the New Creation (Revelation 21:3).

2. Covenant and Holiness

  • Paul’s call to “come out and be separate” (v. 17) recalls Exodus and Leviticus, where God calls Israel to be holy, distinct from pagan nations.

  • This chapter pulls directly from Old Testament covenant texts, applying them to the New Covenant church.

  • The people of God are still called to reflect God’s character in a world of compromise.

3. Redemption and Adoption

  • Redemption isn’t just about being forgiven; it’s about being brought into God’s family.

  • God doesn’t just save us from sin—He adopts us as sons and daughters.


     “You will be my sons and daughters…” (v. 18)

4. The Already/Not Yet Tension

  • “Now is the day of salvation” signals the inauguration of God’s kingdom through Christ.

  • But believers are still in a world marked by suffering and conflict, waiting for the fullness of redemption.

  • The church lives in between—called to faithfulness, holiness, and mission until Christ returns.

Reflection Questions

Use the following questions for personal study, small groups, or sermon application discussions. These are designed to help believers examine their hearts, grow in faith, and apply 2 Corinthians 6 to everyday life.

Section 1: Responding to Grace (vv. 1–2)

  1. Paul urges believers not to receive God’s grace in vain.
     In what ways might someone today receive grace but not live it out?

  2. Paul says, “Now is the day of salvation.”
     Are there areas in your life where you’re delaying obedience to God? What’s stopping you from responding now?

Section 2: Ministry and Endurance (vv. 3–10)

  1. Paul lists hardships and virtues that mark true gospel ministry.
     Which of these qualities do you see in your own walk? Which ones need growth?

  2. How does Paul’s endurance in suffering challenge the modern idea that faith should always lead to comfort or ease?
     What does faithfulness look like during hard seasons?

Section 3: Open Hearts and Reconciliation (vv. 11–13)

  1. Paul opens his heart to the Corinthians and invites them to do the same.
     Are there relationships in your life where reconciliation is needed? What step could you take toward healing?

  2. In ministry and in daily life, how can you practice open-heartedness without becoming bitter or hardened when others disappoint you?

Section 4: Separation and Holiness (vv. 14–18)

  1. What does it mean to be “unequally yoked” in today’s world?
     Are there any relationships or commitments that are pulling you away from a wholehearted walk with Christ?

  2. God calls His people to come out and be separate—not to isolate, but to reflect His holiness.
     How can you live distinctly in your workplace, family, or community without becoming judgmental or withdrawn?

Section 5: God’s Presence and Fatherhood (vv. 16–18)

  1. God promises, “I will live with them and walk among them.”
     How does knowing God is present with you affect how you face challenges, temptations, or decisions?

  2. God says, “I will be a Father to you.”
     What does it mean to live daily as a loved child of God? How can that truth strengthen your identity and purpose?

Challenge for the Week

Take time to read through 2 Corinthians 6 slowly this week.

  • Pray verse 2 as a personal declaration: “Now is the day of salvation.”

  • Write down one area where God is calling you to deeper obedience, endurance, or holiness—and take a practical step in that direction.

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