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Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace
Paul urges the Corinthians to respond properly to God’s grace. In this passage he points to the present time of salvation, explains how he and his co-workers try to serve without causing offence, and appeals for an open-hearted relationship.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of 2 Corinthians is written as direct teaching to the Corinthians. Paul speaks as one working together with others, quotes God’s words about an acceptable time and a day of salvation, then describes hardships, qualities of service, and his appeal for mutual openness of heart.
2 Corinthians 6:1–13Main takeaway
God’s grace calls for a timely response, faithful endurance, and open-hearted fellowship.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not receive grace in vainPaul begins with an urgent appeal: do not receive the grace of God in vain. He supports this with a quotation about an acceptable time and a day of salvation, then applies it directly by saying, “now” is that time.
Explanation
Paul begins with an urgent appeal: do not receive the grace of God in vain. He supports this with a quotation about an acceptable time and a day of salvation, then applies it directly by saying, “now” is that time. The passage presses for a real, present response to God’s grace.
02Service that avoids causing others to stumblePaul says he and his companions do not want to give any occasion of stumbling, so their service will not be blamed.
Explanation
Paul says he and his companions do not want to give any occasion of stumbling, so their service will not be blamed. Instead, they commend themselves as servants of God through great endurance. He lists pressures such as afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, watchings, and fastings.
03The marks of God’s servantsPaul’s description is not only about suffering. He also names qualities that mark their service: pureness, knowledge, perseverance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, and sincere love.
Explanation
Paul’s description is not only about suffering. He also names qualities that mark their service: pureness, knowledge, perseverance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, and sincere love. Their ministry is carried on in the word of truth and the power of God, with the armour of righteousness ready on every side.
04A life full of contrastsPaul then describes striking contrasts. God’s servants may experience both glory and dishonour, evil report and good report.
Explanation
Paul then describes striking contrasts. God’s servants may experience both glory and dishonour, evil report and good report. They may be treated as deceivers though true, as unknown though well known, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, and as having nothing yet possessing all things. The passage shows faithfulness does not always look impressive outwardly.
05Open hearts in responsePaul closes with personal warmth. He says his mouth is open to the Corinthians and his heart is enlarged toward them.
Explanation
Paul closes with personal warmth. He says his mouth is open to the Corinthians and his heart is enlarged toward them. He insists they are not restricted by him, but by their own affections, then asks for a fitting return: “open your hearts”. His teaching ends with a relational appeal, not only a list of ministry qualities.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul mean when he says, “now is the acceptable time” and “now is the day of salvation”?
Look at how 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 connects God’s grace with an urgent present response rather than delay.
02Why does Paul list both hardships and qualities like kindness and sincere love?
Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-7 and notice that Paul is explaining how God’s servants are commended both by endurance under pressure and by godly character.
03How does Paul’s appeal to “open your hearts” fit with the rest of the passage?
Compare 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 with the earlier description of truthful, loving service to see that his ministry and his relationship with them belong together.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 6:1–13
1Working together, we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain.
2For he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
3We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
4but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,
6in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
7in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true,
9as unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold—we live, as punished and not killed,
10as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
11Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.
12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
13Now in return—I speak as to my children—you also open your hearts.