Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Print Page Options Listen to 2 Corinthians 6
Close NIV

2 Corinthians 6
New International Version

6 As God’s co-workers(A) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(B) 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a](C)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(D) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(E) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(F) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(G) and in sincere love;(H) 7 in truthful speech(I) and in the power of God;(J) with weapons of righteousness(K) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(L) bad report(M) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(N) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(O) and yet we live on;(P) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(Q) poor, yet making many rich;(R) having nothing,(S) and yet possessing everything.(T)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(U) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(V)—open wide your hearts(W) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(X) with unbelievers.(Y) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(Z) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]?(AA) Or what does a believer(AB) have in common with an unbeliever?(AC) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(AD) For we are the temple(AE) of the living God.(AF) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[c](AG)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(AH)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[d](AI)

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,(AJ)
says the Lord Almighty.”[e](AK)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
Listen to 2 Corinthians 6
Close KJV

2 Corinthians 6
King James Version

6 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (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.)

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Listen to 2 Corinthians 6
Close GNV

2 Corinthians 6
1599 Geneva Bible

6 1 He exhorteth them to lead their lives as it becometh Christians, 5 neither to be dismayed in tribulations, 9 nor puffed up with glory: 14 to avoid all uncleanness, 16 considering that they are the temples of the living God.

1 So [a]we therefore as workers together beseech you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 [b]For he saith, (A)I have heard thee in a time [c]accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold now the accepted time, behold now the day of salvation.

3 [d]We give no occasion of offence in anything, that our ministry should not be reprehended.

4 But in all things we [e]approve ourselves as (B)the ministers of God, [f]in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.

5 In stripes, in prisons, in [g]tumults, in labors,

6 [h]By watchings, by fastings, by purity, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the [i]word of truth, by the [j]power of God, by the [k]armor of righteousness on the right hand, and on the left,

8 By honor, and dishonor, by evil report, and good report, as deceivers, and yet true:

9 As unknown, and yet known: as dying, and behold, we live, as chastened, and yet not killed:

10 As sorrowing, and yet always rejoicing: as poor, and yet making many rich: as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 [l]O Corinthians, our mouth is [m]open unto you, our heart is made large.

12 Ye are not [n]kept strait in us, but ye are kept strait in your own [o]bowels.

13 Now for the same recompense, I speak as to my children, Be you also enlarged.

14 [p]Be not unequally yoked with the infidels: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what [q]part hath the believer with the infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? (C)for ye are the Temple of the [r]living God: as God hath said, (D)I will [s]dwell among them, and walk there: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 (E)Wherefore come out from among them, and separate yourselves, saith the Lord, and touch none unclean thing, and I will receive you.

18 (F)And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:1 Men do not only need the ministry of the Gospel, before they have received grace, that they may be partakers of it, but also after they have received grace, that they may continue in it.
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:2 In that that grace is offered, it is of the grace of God, who hath appointed times and seasons to all things, that we may take occasion when it is offered.
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Which I of my free mercy and love towards you, . . . appointed, at which time God poured out that his marvelous love upon us.
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:3 He showeth the Corinthians a pattern of a true minister, in his own example, and Timothy and Silvanus, to the end, that (as he purposed from the beginning) he might procure authority to himself and his like.
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:4 Declare and show indeed.
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:4 He first of all reckoneth up those things which are neither always in the ministers, nor without exception, unless it be according to the affection of the mind, patience only except, which also is one of the virtues which ought to be always in a good minister.
  7. 2 Corinthians 6:5 In tossing to and fro, finding no place of rest and quietness.
  8. 2 Corinthians 6:6 Secondly, he reckoneth up such virtues as are necessary, and ought always to be in them, and whereby as by good armor, all lets and hindrances may be overcome.
  9. 2 Corinthians 6:7 Preaching of the Gospel.
  10. 2 Corinthians 6:7 Power to work miracles, and to bring under the wicked.
  11. 2 Corinthians 6:7 Uprightness.
  12. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Going about to rebuke them, he saith first, that he dealeth with them sincerely and with an open and plain heart, and therewithall complaineth that they do not the like in loving again their Father.
  13. 2 Corinthians 6:11 The opening of the mouth and heart, betokeneth a most earnest affection in him that speaketh, as it fareth commonly with them that are in some great joy.
  14. 2 Corinthians 6:12 You are in mine heart, as in an house, and that no narrow or strait house, for I have opened my whole heart to you, but you are inwardly straitlaced to me-ward.
  15. 2 Corinthians 6:12 After the manner of the Hebrews, he calleth those tender affections which rest in the heart, bowels.
  16. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Now he rebuked them boldly, for that they became fellows with infidels in outward idolatry, as though it were a thing indifferent. And this is the fourth part of this Epistle, the conclusion whereof is, that such as the Lord has vouchsafed the name of his children, must keep themselves pure, not only in mind, but also in body, that they may wholly be holy unto the Lord.
  17. 2 Corinthians 6:15 What can there be between them?
  18. 2 Corinthians 6:16 He setteth the living God against idols.
  19. 2 Corinthians 6:16 God dwelleth with us, because Christ is become God with us.
Listen to 2 Corinthians 6
Close NKJV

2 Corinthians 6
New King James Version

Marks of the Ministry

6 We then, as (A)workers together with Him also (B)plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:

(C)“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3 (D)We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves (E)as ministers of God: in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 (F)in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love, 7 (G)by the word of truth, by (H)the power of God, by (I)the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and (J)yet well known; (K)as dying, and behold we live; (L)as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many (M)rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Be Holy

11 O Corinthians! [c]We have spoken openly to you, (N)our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but (O)you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (P)(I speak as to children), you also be open.

14 (Q)Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For (R)what [d]fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what [e]communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (S)you[f] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

(T)“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

(U)“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I (V)will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My (W)sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:4 endurance
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:6 Lit. unhypocritical
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Lit. Our mouth is open
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:14 in common
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:14 fellowship
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:16 NU we
Listen to 2 Corinthians 6
Close ESV

2 Corinthians 6
English Standard Version

6 (A)Working together with him, then, (B)we appeal to you (C)not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

(D)“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, (E)now is the (F)favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We (G)put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but (H)as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: (I)by great endurance, (J)in afflictions, (K)hardships, calamities, 5 (L)beatings, imprisonments, (M)riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 (N)by purity, (O)knowledge, patience, kindness, (P)the Holy Spirit, (Q)genuine love; 7 by (R)truthful speech, and (S)the power of God; with (T)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, (U)through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and (V)yet well known; (W)as dying, and behold, we live; (X)as punished, and yet not killed; 10 (Y)as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; (Z)as poor, yet making many rich; (AA)as having nothing, (AB)yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you,[a] Corinthians; (AC)our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but (AD)you are restricted in your own affections. 13 (AE)In return (I speak (AF)as to children) widen your hearts also.

The Temple of the Living God

14 (AG)Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For (AH)what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or (AI)what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 (AJ)What accord has Christ with Belial?[b] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (AK)we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

(AL)“I will make my dwelling among them and (AM)walk among them,
    and (AN)I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore (AO)go out from their midst,
    and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
    then I will welcome you,
18 (AP)and I will be a father to you,
    and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar
Next
2 Corinthians 5
2 Corinthians 7
Next
dropdown
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.

The 1599 Geneva Bible - A publication of Tolle Lege Press
New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Learn the Bible in 30 days
English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

ESV Study Bible