2 Corinthians 6:1-7:10

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

6 As we work together with him,^[a] we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.^{(A) 2} For he says,

Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!^{(B) 3} We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,^{(C) 4} but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: in great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵ beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;^{(D) 6} in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷ truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;^{(E) 8} in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors and yet are true, ⁹ as unknown and yet are well known, as dying and look—we are alive, as punished and yet not killed,^{(F) 10} as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing everything.

¹¹ We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. ¹² There is no restriction in our affections but only in yours. ¹³ In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.^(G)

The Temple of the Living God

¹⁴ Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and lawlessness have in common? Or what partnership is there between light and darkness?^{(H) 15} What agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we^[b] are the temple of the living God, as God said,

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.^(L)

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

² Make room in your hearts^[d] for us; we have wronged no one; we have corrupted no one; we have taken advantage of no one.^{(M) 3} I do not say this to condemn you, for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.^{(N) 4} I am being completely frank with you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our affliction.^(O)

⁵ For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—disputes without and fears within.^{(P) 6} But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of Titus,^{(Q) 7} and not only by his arrival but also by the consolation with which he was consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. ⁸ For although I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it (for^[e] I see that that letter caused you grief, though only briefly), ⁹ now I rejoice, not because you were grieved but because your grief led to repentance, for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.^(R)