1Working together now, we also appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain — [6:2] for he says, 'In an appointed time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is the time of favor; behold, now is the day of salvation. [6:3] Placing no obstacle before anyone, so that the ministry may not be blemished, [6:4] but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in tribulations, in hardships, in distresses, [6:5] in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings — [6:6] in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, [6:7] in the word of truth, in the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness of the right and of the left, [6:8] through glory and dishonor, through bad report and good report — as imposters and yet true, [6:9] as being unknown and yet being well-known, as dying and yet behold we live, as being disciplined and yet not being killed, [6:10] as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as destitute yet enriching many, as having nothing and yet possessing all things. [6:11] Our mouth has been opened to you, Corinthians; our heart has been expanded. [6:12] You are not restrained by us — you are restrained, however, in your own affections. [6:13] Now the same recompense — I speak as to children — be expanded, you also.
2CO 6:1-13
Paulʼs Hardships and Godʼs Grace
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, Paul’s appeal to avoid receiving God’s grace 'in vain' would resonate with the cultural emphasis on reciprocity and proper response to benefaction. The term *kairos* underscores a decisive, opportune moment, contrasting with mere chronological time (*chronos*). For Paul’s audience, this would evoke the urgency of aligning with God’s salvific action in the present. His listing of hardships—beatings, imprisonments, riots, and labors—reflects the realities of Roman imperial oppression and the social stigma attached to itinerant preachers. The term *thlipsis* , meaning 'pressure' or 'crushing,' conveys the physical and emotional toll of such trials. Paul’s emphasis on purity, knowledge, and patience aligns with Stoic ideals of self-control and virtue, while his mention of *splagchnon* , the inward parts, appeals to the ancient understanding of emotions as rooted in the body. His call for openness of heart contrasts with the guardedness typical of Roman patronage networks.
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How other translations render this
2CO 6:1
- KJV
- We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
- BSB
- As Godʼs fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive Godʼs grace in vain.
- Koinōnos
- Working together now, we also appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain —
2CO 6:2
- 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.)
- BSB
- For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
- Koinōnos
- for he says, 'In an appointed time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is the time of favor; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2CO 6:3
- KJV
- Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
- BSB
- We put no obstacle in anyoneʼs way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
- Koinōnos
- Placing no obstacle before anyone, so that the ministry may not be blemished,
2CO 6:4
- KJV
- But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
- BSB
- Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
- Koinōnos
- but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in tribulations, in hardships, in distresses,
2CO 6:5
- KJV
- In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
- BSB
- in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
- Koinōnos
- in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings —
2CO 6:6
- KJV
- By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
- BSB
- in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
- Koinōnos
- in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
2CO 6:7
- KJV
- By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
- BSB
- in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
- Koinōnos
- in the word of truth, in the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness of the right and of the left,
2CO 6:8
- KJV
- By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
- BSB
- through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
- Koinōnos
- through glory and dishonor, through bad report and good report — as imposters and yet true,
2CO 6:9
- KJV
- As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
- BSB
- as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;
- Koinōnos
- as being unknown and yet being well-known, as dying and yet behold we live, as being disciplined and yet not being killed,
2CO 6:10
- KJV
- As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
- BSB
- sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
- Koinōnos
- as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as destitute yet enriching many, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
2CO 6:11
- KJV
- O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
- BSB
- We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
- Koinōnos
- Our mouth has been opened to you, Corinthians; our heart has been expanded.
2CO 6:12
- KJV
- Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
- BSB
- It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
- Koinōnos
- You are not restrained by us — you are restrained, however, in your own affections.
2CO 6:13
- KJV
- Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
- BSB
- As a fair exchange-I speack as to myy children-open wide your hearts also.
- Koinōnos
- Now the same recompense — I speak as to children — be expanded, you also.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2CO 6:2
- In a time:The word translated 'In a time' refers to a specific, opportune, or appointed moment, rather than just a general span of time. It suggests a divinely set or critical season.
2CO 6:4
- tribulations,:The word translated 'tribulations' literally means 'pressure' or 'being squeezed.' It evokes the image of being under intense duress, like grapes in a winepress.
2CO 6:10
- poor:The word translated 'poor' here describes someone who is utterly destitute, often a beggar, dependent on others for survival, rather than simply lacking wealth.
2CO 6:12
- affections:The word translated 'affections' literally refers to the inward parts of the body, like the intestines or bowels, which were considered the seat of deep emotions and compassion in ancient thought.