Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Corinthians 6
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Corinthians 6
"And working together [with him] we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (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): giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; in pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and [yet] true; as unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things." — 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (ASV)
The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace are the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel are the offers of salvation, and the present time is the proper time to accept these offers. Tomorrow is not ours: we do not know what tomorrow will bring, nor where we will be. We now enjoy a day of grace; therefore, let everyone be careful not to neglect it.
Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants and act in everything suitably to that character. The apostle did so, through much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by proper temperament and behavior. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God to arm them against temptations; to bear the good reputation from others without pride, and to bear their reproaches with patience.
They have nothing in themselves but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to commend ourselves to God.
The gospel, when faithfully preached and fully received, improves the condition even of the poorest. They save what they previously spent riotously and diligently employ their time for useful purposes. They save and gain by religion and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this world, when compared with their sinful, profligate state before they received the gospel.
"Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto [my] children), be ye also enlarged. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." — 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 (ASV)
It is wrong for believers to associate with the wicked and profane. The word unbeliever applies to all who are lacking true faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the gospel not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of neglecting Scripture's instructions concerning marriage clearly appear.
Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose cross it is to be unequally united, without their willful fault, may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they must expect much distress. The caution also extends to everyday associations.
We should not join in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Although we cannot entirely avoid seeing, hearing, and being with such people, we should never choose them as friends. We must not defile ourselves by fellowship with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the corruptions of this present evil world.
If it is an envied privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and daughters of the Almighty?
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