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Text -- 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
God’s Suffering Servants
6:1 Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: WORKER; WORKFELLOW; WORKMAN | Salvation | Partnership | Minister | GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | Corinthians, Second Epistle to the | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

Other
Evidence

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 2Co 6:1 - -- Working together with him ( sunergountes ). We are Corinthians-workers, partners with God (1Co 3:9), in this work of grace.

Working together with him ( sunergountes ).

We are Corinthians-workers, partners with God (1Co 3:9), in this work of grace.

Robertson: 2Co 6:1 - -- In vain ( eis kenon ). Into emptiness. The plan of God, the work of Christ on the Cross, the pleas of the ambassador may all be nullified by the reci...

In vain ( eis kenon ).

Into emptiness. The plan of God, the work of Christ on the Cross, the pleas of the ambassador may all be nullified by the recipient of the message.

Vincent: 2Co 6:1 - -- As workers together with Him ( συνεργοῦντες ) Lit., working together . With Him is implied in the compounded ούν with ...

As workers together with Him ( συνεργοῦντες )

Lit., working together . With Him is implied in the compounded ούν with . That it refers to God, not to the fellow-Christians, is evident from the parallel 1Co 3:9, laborers together with God , and because the act of exhortation or entreaty in which the fellowship is exhibited is ascribed to God in 2Co 5:20. The phrase Θεοῦ πάρεδροι assessors of God , occurs in Ignatius' letter to Polycarp. Compare Mar 16:20.

Vincent: 2Co 6:1 - -- In vain ( εἰς κενὸν ) Lit., to what is vain. Equivalent to the phrase to no purpose.

In vain ( εἰς κενὸν )

Lit., to what is vain. Equivalent to the phrase to no purpose.

Wesley: 2Co 6:1 - -- labourers with you, who are working out your own salvation, do also exhort you, not to receive the grace of God - Which we have been now describing.

labourers with you, who are working out your own salvation, do also exhort you, not to receive the grace of God - Which we have been now describing.

Wesley: 2Co 6:1 - -- We receive it by faith; and not in vain, if we add to this, persevering holiness.

We receive it by faith; and not in vain, if we add to this, persevering holiness.

JFB: 2Co 6:1 - -- With God (Act 15:4; 1Co 3:9). Not only as "ambassadors."

With God (Act 15:4; 1Co 3:9). Not only as "ambassadors."

JFB: 2Co 6:1 - -- Entreat (2Co 5:20). He is describing his ministry, not exhorting directly.

Entreat (2Co 5:20). He is describing his ministry, not exhorting directly.

JFB: 2Co 6:1 - -- Rather, "WE ALSO (as well as God, 2Co 5:20) beseech" or "entreat you": 2Co 6:14-15, on to 2Co 7:1, is part of this entreaty or exhortation.

Rather, "WE ALSO (as well as God, 2Co 5:20) beseech" or "entreat you": 2Co 6:14-15, on to 2Co 7:1, is part of this entreaty or exhortation.

JFB: 2Co 6:1 - -- By making the grace of God a ground for continuance in sin (2Co 6:3). By a life of sin, showing that the word of reconciliation has been in vain, so f...

By making the grace of God a ground for continuance in sin (2Co 6:3). By a life of sin, showing that the word of reconciliation has been in vain, so far as you are concerned (Heb 12:15; Jud 1:4). "The grace of God" here, is "the reconciliation" provided by God's love (2Co 5:18-19; compare Gal 2:2).

Clarke: 2Co 6:1 - -- We then, as workers together with him - Συνεργουντες δε και παρακαλουμεν . The two last words, with him, are not in th...

We then, as workers together with him - Συνεργουντες δε και παρακαλουμεν . The two last words, with him, are not in the text, and some supply the place thus: we then, as workers together With You, and the Armenian version seems to have read it so; but no MS. has this reading, and no other version. For my own part I see nothing wanting in the text if we only suppose the term apostles; we, (i.e. apostles), being fellow workers, also entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain

By the grace of God, την χαριν του Θεου, this grace or benefit of God, the apostle certainly means the grand sacrificial offering of Christ for the sin of the world, which he had just before mentioned in speaking of the ministry of reconciliation. We learn, therefore, that it was possible to receive the grace of God and not ultimately benefit by it; or, in other words, to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Should any one say that it is the ministry of reconciliation, that is, the benefit of apostolic preaching, that they might receive in vain; I answer, that the apostolic preaching, and the whole ministry of reconciliation, could be no benefit to any man farther than it might have been a means of conveying to him the salvation of God. And it is most evident that the apostle has in view that grace or benefit that reconciles us to God, and makes us Divinely righteous. And this, and all other benefits of the death of Christ, may be received in vain.

Calvin: 2Co 6:1 - -- 1.Assisting He has repeated the instructions of embassy with which the ministers of the gospel have been furnished by God. After they have faithfully...

1.Assisting He has repeated the instructions of embassy with which the ministers of the gospel have been furnished by God. After they have faithfully communicated these instructions, they must also use their endeavor, that they may be carried into effect, 572 in order that their labor may not be in vain. They must, I say, add continual exhortation’s, 573 that their embassy may be efficacious. This is what he means by συνεργοῦντες, ( fellow-workers,) that is, devoted to the advancement of the work; for it is not enough to teach, if you do not also urge. In this way, the particle σύν would have a relation to God, or to the embassy, which he assigns to his servants. For the doctrine of the gospel is helped by exhortations, so as not to be without effect, and ministers connect their endeavors with God’s commission; 574 as it is the part of an ambassador to enforce by arguments, what he brings forward in the name of his prince.

The particle σύν may also be taken as referring to the endeavors of ministers in common; for if they do the Lord’s work in good earnest, they must mutually lend a helping hand to each other, so as to give assistance to each other. I rather prefer, however, the former exposition. Chrysostom interprets it as referring to the hearers, with whom ministers are fellow-workers, when they rouse them up from slothfulness and indolence.

Ministers are here taught, that it is not enough simply to advance doctrine. They must also labor that it may be received by the hearers, and that not once merely, but continually. For as they are messengers between God and men, the first duty devolving upon them is, to make offer of the grace of God, 575 and the second is, to strive with all their might, that it may not be offered in vain.

TSK: 2Co 6:1 - -- workers : 2Co 5:18-20; 1Co 3:9 beseech : 2Co 5:20, 2Co 10:1; Mat 23:37; Rom 12:1; Gal 4:11, Gal 4:12 ye : Jer 8:8; Gal 3:4; Heb 12:15, Heb 12:25 the :...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 2Co 6:1 - -- We then, as workers together with him - On the meaning of this expression, see the note, 1Co 3:9. The Greek here is ( συνεργοῦντε...

We then, as workers together with him - On the meaning of this expression, see the note, 1Co 3:9. The Greek here is ( συνεργοῦντες sunergountes ) "working together,"and may mean either that the apostles and ministers to whom Paul refers were joint-laborers in entreating them not to receive the grace of God in vain; or it may mean that they cooperated with God, or were engaged with him in endeavoring to secure the reconciliation of the world to himself. Tyndale renders it: "we as helpers."Doddridge, "we then as the joint-laborers of God."Most expositors have concurred in this interpretation. The word properly means, to work together; to cooperate in producing any result. Macknight supposes that the word here is in the vocative, and is an address to the fellow-laborers of Paul, entreating them not to receive the grace of God in vain. In this opinion he is probably alone, and has manifestly departed from the scope and design of the passage. Probably the most obvious meaning is that of our translators, who regard it as teaching that Paul was a joint-worker with God in securing the salvation of people.

That ye receive not the grace of God in vain - The "grace of God"here means evidently the gracious offer of reconciliation and pardon. And the sense is, "We entreat you not to neglect or slight this offer of pardon, so as to lose the benefit of it, and be lost. It is offered freely and fully. It may be partaken of by all, and all may be saved. But it may also be slighted, and all the benefits of it will then be lost."The sense is, that it was possible that this offer might be made to them, they might hear of a Saviour, be told of the plan of reconciliation and have the offers of mercy pressed on their attention and acceptance, and yet all be in vain. They might notwithstanding all this be lost, for simply to hear of the plan of salvation or the offers of mercy, will no more save a sinner than to hear of medicine will save the sick. It must be embraced and applied, or it will be in vain. It is true that Paul probably addressed this to those who were professors of religion; and the sense is, that they should use all possible care and anxiety lest these offers should have been made in vain. They should examine their own hearts; they should inquire into their own condition; they should guard against self-deception. The same persons 2Co 5:20 Paul had exhorted also to be reconciled to God; and the idea is, that he would earnestly entreat even professors of religion to give all diligence to secure an interest in the saving mercy of the gospel, and to guard against the possibility of being self-deceived and ruined.

Poole: 2Co 6:1 - -- 2Co 6:1,2 Paul entreateth the Corinthians not to frustrate God’ s grace, 2Co 6:3-10 setting forth his own inoffensive, painful, and patient ...

2Co 6:1,2 Paul entreateth the Corinthians not to frustrate God’ s grace,

2Co 6:3-10 setting forth his own inoffensive, painful, and

patient demeanour in the discharge of his ministry,

2Co 6:11,12 of which he telleth them he spake more freely out of

the great love he bare them,

2Co 6:13 challenging the like affection from them in return.

2Co 6:14,15 He dissuadeth from any intimate connections with unbelievers,

2Co 6:16-18 Christians are the temples of the living God.

We then, as workers together with him: ministers of the gospel are fellow workers together with Christ; though but as instruments, serving him as the principal Agent, and efficient Cause: he trod the wine press of his Father’ s wrath alone, and had no partner in the purchase of man’ s salvation; but in the application of the purchased salvation, he admits of fellow workers. Though the internal work be his alone, and the effects of his Spirit upon the souls of those whose hearts are changed; yet there is a ministerial part, which lieth in exhortation and argument, by the ear conveyed to the soul; thus ministers work together with Christ. And without him they can do nothing: they are workers, but they must have Christ work with them, or they will find that they labour in vain.

Beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: grace signifieth any free gift; and it is in the New Testament variously applied; but here it signifies, the doctrine of the gospel, held forth in the preaching of it, which these Corinthians had received with the ears of their bodies. And this was Paul’ s, and should be every godly minister’ s, work, not with roughness, but with all mildness and gentleness, to beseech those to whom they preach the gospel, that they would believe and embrace it, and live up to the holy rules of it; without which, (as to their souls’ benefit), all the kindness of God, in affording them the gospel and means of grace, is in vain, and lost: though God yet hath his end, and his ministers shall he a sweet savour to God, as well with, reference to them that perish, as those who shall be saved. For the effectual grace of God in the heart, that cannot be received in vain; nor is that here spoken of.

Haydock: 2Co 6:1 - -- We helping, or in the Greek, working together, that is, with God, as employed by him, or as his ministers, and ambassadors, we exhort you not to ...

We helping, or in the Greek, working together, that is, with God, as employed by him, or as his ministers, and ambassadors, we exhort you not to receive the grace of God in vain, by resisting his interior graces, by an idle, or a wicked life. (Witham)

Gill: 2Co 6:1 - -- We then, as workers together with him,.... The ministers of the Gospel are workers or labourers; their ministry is a work, and a very laborious one, w...

We then, as workers together with him,.... The ministers of the Gospel are workers or labourers; their ministry is a work, and a very laborious one, which none have strength equal to, and are sufficient for; of themselves: it is a work that requires faithfulness and diligence, is honourable; and those who perform it aright deserve respect. These do not work alone: according to our version, they are "workers together with him"; meaning either God or Christ, not as co-ordinate with him, but as subordinate to him: he is the chief shepherd, they under ones; he is the chief master builder, they under workers; but inasmuch as he is with them, and they with him, he is over them, and stands by them, great honour is done them; they have encouragement to work; and hence it is that their work is successful. Though the phrase, "with him", is not in the original text, where only one word, συνεργουντες, is used, and may be rendered "fellow workers", or "fellow labourers", meaning with one another: and since therefore reconciliation was made by Christ, and the ministry of it was committed to them, and they were appointed ambassadors for him, and were in his stead, therefore, say they,

we beseech you also; you ministers also; as we have entreated the members of the church, to be reconciled to the order of the Gospel, and the laws of Christ in his house, so as fellow labourers with you, and jointly concerned in the same embassy of peace, we beseech you the ministers of the word in this church,

that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: by "the grace of God", is not meant the grace of God in regeneration, and effectual calling, which can never be received in vain; for the grace of God never fails of producing a thorough work of conversion; nor is it ever lost, but is strictly connected with eternal, glory: but by it is meant either the doctrine of grace, the Gospel of Christ, so called, because it is a declaration of the love and grace of God to sinners, ascribes salvation in part, and in whole, to the free grace of God, and is a means of implanting and increasing grace in the hearts of men. Now this may be received in vain by ministers and people, when it is but notionally received, or received in word only: when it is abused and perverted to vile purposes, and when men drop, deny it, and fall off from it; or else by the grace of God may be designed gifts of grace, qualifying for ministerial service; and the sense of the exhortation be, that they be careful that the gifts bestowed on them might not be neglected by them, but be used and improved to the advantage of the church, and the glory of Christ; by giving up themselves to study, meditation, and prayer, by labouring constantly in the word and doctrine, and by having a strict regard to their lives and conversations, "that the ministry be not blamed"; which exhortation he pursues in, and by his own example and others, in some following verses, the next being included in a "parenthesis".

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Co 6:1 Or “receive the grace of God uselessly.”

Geneva Bible: 2Co 6:1 We ( 1 ) then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. ( 1 ) Men do not only need the mini...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 2Co 6:1-18 - --1 That he has approved himself a faithful minister of Christ by his exhortations,3 and by integrity of life,4 and by patient enduring all kinds of aff...

MHCC: 2Co 6:1-10 - --The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the...

Matthew Henry: 2Co 6:1-10 - -- In these verses we have an account of the apostle's general errand and exhortation to all to whom he preached in every place where he came, with the...

Barclay: 2Co 6:1-2 - --The office that Paul claims as his one glory and his one task is that of ambassador for Christ. The Greek he uses (presbeutes, compare 4246) is a gr...

Constable: 2Co 1:12--8:1 - --II. ANSWERS TO INSINUATIONS ABOUT THE SINCERITY OF PAUL'S COMMITMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS AND TO THE MINISTRY 1:12--7:16 ...

Constable: 2Co 3:1--6:11 - --B. Exposition of Paul's view of the ministry 3:1-6:10 The apostle proceeded to explain his view of Chris...

Constable: 2Co 5:11--6:11 - --4. The life of a minister of Christ 5:11-6:10 The section of this epistle that expounds the glor...

Constable: 2Co 6:1-10 - --Paul's example as an ambassador of Christ 6:1-10 6:1 Since God appeals to the unsaved through heralds of the gospel (5:20), the herald is in that sens...

College: 2Co 6:1-18 - --2 CORINTHIANS 6 2. Christ's Message of Reconciliation Delivered (5:16-6:2) (continued) Some commentaries structure a break in Paul's argument at th...

McGarvey: 2Co 6:1 - --And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

Lapide: 2Co 6:1-18 - --CHAPTER 6 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He exhorts them not to neglect the proffered grace of reconciliation spoken of at the end of the last chapter....

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Commentary -- Other

Evidence: 2Co 6:1 " It’s very sobering to find how many people whom I would presume to be saved feel little or no urgency regarding their spiritual condition, the con...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Second Corinthians From Macedonia a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction The Pauline authorship is admitted by all real scholars, though there is ...

JFB: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE following reasons seem to have induced Paul to write this Second Epistle to the Corinthians: (1) That he might explain the reasons for his having ...

JFB: 2 Corinthians (Outline) THE HEADING; PAUL'S CONSOLATIONS IN RECENT TRIALS IN ASIA; HIS SINCERITY TOWARDS THE CORINTHIANS; EXPLANATION OF HIS NOT HAVING VISITED THEM AS HE HA...

TSK: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The most remarkable circumstance in this Epistle, observes Mr. Scott, is the confidence of the Apostle in the goodness of his cause, and in the power ...

TSK: 2 Corinthians 6 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 2Co 6:1, That he has approved himself a faithful minister of Christ by his exhortations, 2Co 6:3, and by integrity of life, 2Co 6:4, and ...

Poole: 2 Corinthians 6 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 6

MHCC: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The second epistle to the Corinthians probably was written about a year after the first. Its contents are closely connected with those of the former e...

MHCC: 2 Corinthians 6 (Chapter Introduction) (2Co 6:1-10) The apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (2Co 6:11-18) By affec...

Matthew Henry: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians In his former epistle the apostle had signified his i...

Matthew Henry: 2 Corinthians 6 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter the apostle gives an account of his general errand to all to whom he preached; with the several arguments and methods he used (2Co ...

Barclay: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS TO THE CORINTHIANS The Greatness Of Corinth A glance at the map will show that Corinth was made for greatness. The south...

Barclay: 2 Corinthians 6 (Chapter Introduction) Ambassador For Christ (2Co_5:20-21; 2Co_6:1-2) A Blizzard Of Troubles (2Co_6:3-10) The Accent Of Love (2Co_6:11-13; 2Co_7:2-4) Get You Out (2Co...

Constable: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background First Corinthians did not dispel the problems in th...

Constable: 2 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-11 A. Salutation 1:1-2 B. Thanksgiving for c...

Constable: 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Bibliography Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book Hou...

Haydock: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. The subject and design of this second Epistle to the Corinthian...

Gill: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS This epistle, according to the subscription at the end of it, was written from Philippi of Macedonia; and though the ...

College: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION Studying 2 Corinthians plunges the modern reader back to the real, tumultuous world of early Christianity. The simple ideals of sharing ...

College: 2 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. OPENING - 1:1-2 II. THANKSGIVING - 1:3-11 A. GOD COMFORTS - 1:3-7 B. GOD DELIVERS - 1:8-11 III. DEFENSE OF INTEGRITY - 1:12...

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