Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

"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.