Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:2

"(for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):" — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ASV)

To emphasize the seriousness and urgency of his appeal and to highlight the privilege of the present and the danger of procrastination, Paul quotes Isa 49:8 and then applies the passage to the age of grace. In its original context this quotation belongs to a section of Isaiah where the Lord directly addresses his Servant who has been “despised and abhorred by the nation” (Isaiah 49:7), promising him vindication before people in due time and calling on him to carry out the work of restoration after the return from exile. Paul uses the quotation to establish that the gospel era (“now”) is “the day of salvation,” when God’s favor is shown to humankind. How unthinkable that such grace should be received in vain (v.1)!