2 CORINTHIANS 6

BELIEVERS ARE SET APART AS GOD’S SONS + DAUGHTERS

Quoting Isaiah 49:8, Paul recalls God’s promise to restore His people, saying that at a favorable time he will provide help and salvation. Paul states that, because of Jesus, the favorable time is here and the day of salvation has arrived! Paul sees God’s fulfilled promises through Christ and wants to share the good news with the Corinthians.

Paul wants to remove barriers and obstacles for people experiencing God; he wants to grow the kingdom by all means necessary. He shares some of the afflictions faced by himself and other believers, including hardships, imprisonment, sleepless nights, and calamities. Despite these circumstances, the Holy Spirit helps followers of Jesus be marked by genuine love, truthful speech, and God’s power. Although they are sorrowful, they rejoice. Because of Christ, they possess all that they need, even when they have nothing else.

Paul gives instructions for believers not to marry those who are not believers, calling them unequally yoked. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul teaches that those who are already married to an unbeliever should remain married, but Paul encourages followers of Jesus not to knowingly enter into this type of marriage. Believers are set apart as God’s children and dwelling places of His presence.