John Calvin 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)

For he says, In an acceptable time. He quotes a prediction of Isaiah, exceedingly appropriate to the exhortation about which he speaks. He undoubtedly speaks there of the kingdom of Christ, as is clear from the context. The Father, then, appointing his Son a leader for the purpose of gathering together a Church, addresses him in these words:

I have heard you in an acceptable time (Isaiah 49:8).

We know, however, the degree of correspondence that exists between the Head and the members. For Christ was heard in our name, as the salvation of all of us is entrusted to his hand, and he has taken nothing else under his charge. Therefore, we are all admonished in the person of Christ not to neglect the opportunity that is provided for obtaining salvation. While the rendering of the Greek interpreter is, εὐπρόσδεκτον, (acceptable,) the word used by the Prophet is, רצון, (ratson,) that is, benevolence, or free favour.

The quotation must be applied to the subject at hand in this way: “As God specifies a particular time for the exhibition of his grace, it follows that not all times are suitable for it. As a particular day of salvation is named, it follows that a free offer of salvation is not made every day.” Now this depends entirely on the providence of God, for the acceptable time is no other than what is called in Galatians 4:4, the fullness of the time. The order of arrangement also must be observed.

First, he makes mention of a time of benevolence, and then afterwards of a day of salvation. By this it is implied that salvation flows to us exclusively from the mercy of God, as from a fountainhead. Therefore, we must not seek the cause in ourselves, as if by our own works we moved God to grant us his favor, for from where does the day of salvation come? It is because it is the acceptable time, that is, the time which God has in his free favor appointed.

Meanwhile, we must keep in view what Paul intends to teach—that swift action is needed, so that we do not let the opportunity pass unused, since it displeases God if the grace he offers us is received with coolness and indifference.

Behold now is the time. The Prophet had spoken of the time when Christ was to be manifested in the flesh for the redemption of men. Paul transfers the prophecy to the time when Christ is revealed by the continued preaching of the gospel, and he does so with good reason. For as salvation was once sent to the whole world when Christ appeared, so now it is sent to us every day, when we are made partakers of the gospel.

This is a beautiful passage, offering no ordinary consolation. For while the gospel is preached to us, we know with certainty that the way is opened for us into the kingdom of God. A signal of divine benevolence is raised high to invite us to receive salvation, for the opportunity to obtain it must be judged by the call.

Unless, however, we embrace the opportunity, we must fear the threatening that Paul brings forward: that, in a short time, the door will be shut against all who have not entered while opportunity was provided. For this retribution always follows contempt of the word.