Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Corinthians 6

• To win over the discontented believers in Corinth, Paul asks them to listen to him and Timothy as God's servants and messengers.

• As God's fellow workers: Literally As we work together, which raises the question of whether Paul meant they were working as a team or working together with God.

This quote from Isaiah 49:8 emphasizes that God's offer of salvation can lead to reconciliation between Paul and the Corinthians. Their reconciliation with Paul would naturally follow their true acceptance of the good news.

Paul provides a clear picture of the challenges in his ministry (compare 4:7–18). He lists nine trials, many of which are recorded in Acts (for example, Acts 14:5–6, 19–20; 16:19–24; 21:30–36). Through their unwavering suffering for the good news, Paul and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) proved they were true ministers of God.

Paul talks about how he faced suffering with courage. He says his strength came from the Holy Spirit within us.

People often attacked Paul's character as an apostle, even calling him and his colleagues imposters. Despite these attitudes, Paul remained honest. They likely thought Paul was insignificant and could be ignored, a reckless person taking unnecessary risks that made him seem almost dead already. Paul countered each of their claims with insights into spiritual reality.

• Paul’s passionate plea shows his true feelings.

• Our hearts are open wide: These feelings continue in 7:2 (see study notes on 6:14–7:1; 7:2–4).

The connection between 6:13 and 7:2 has led many scholars to think that 6:14–7:1 might be an inserted fragment from another letter, possibly the one mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:9. However, this section could also be a digression in Paul's writing, challenging the Corinthians to stop opposing him and his message. Paul wanted to restore relationships, and here he describes believers in Christ as forming a holy temple. Believers' identity as the temple of God encourages harmony among them and separation from the impurity of unbelieving attitudes and behaviors. Paul contrasts Christian and pagan morality using quotations from the Old Testament.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: This advice refers to the Jewish rule against certain mixtures (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:10). Paul likely referred to the Corinthians' involvement in idol worship (see 1 Corinthians 8–10; compare 1 Corinthians 10:14–22).

Belial: This Hebrew word means "worthless" or "good-for-nothing." During the time between the Old and New Testaments, people used it as a name for Satan.

Believers together form the temple of the living God. The Holy Spirit lives in them, making them holy (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:1–10).

This quote is from 2 Samuel 7:14, but Paul includes daughters as well (see Isaiah 43:6).