1 We then, working together, (see Rom. 8:22)
beseech also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For He says, "I heard with favor you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I help you:" (quoted from Isa. 49:8) behold, now is the accepted time (see Rom. 15:16); behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no cause of stumbling in any thing, in order that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things commending ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses, (See Rom. 2:9)
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
6 In pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned, (See Rom. 12:9)
7 In the word of truth, in the power of God, through the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, (The Greek soldier carried a sword or spear in his right hand and a shield in his left.)
8 By glory and shame, by evil report and good report: as deceivers (see Matt. 27:63. 1 Tim. 4:1. 2 John 7), and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As grieved (see 2:2), yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (See 1 cor. 7:30. From "deceivers", v.8, to end of v.10 is an example of Oxymoron.)
11 O you Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged. (A Hebraism for speaking with liberty. Cp. Judg. 11:35. Ps. 78:2; 109:2. Prov. 8:6; 31:26. Ezek. 24:27; 29:21. Matt. 5:2. Acts 8:36.)
12 You are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own bowels. (The inward parts. Metaphorically, of the affections, the seat of which we regard as the heart.)
A S 6:13. Enlargement.
T f¹ 6:14-16-. Command. No unequal yoking.
g¹ 6:-16. Reason. Promise.
f² 6:17-. Command. Separation.
g² 6:-17,18. Reason. Promise.
f³ 7:1. Command. Cleansing.
S 7:2,3. Reception.
13 Now for the same recompense in the same, (I speak as to my children,) be you also enlarged. (Paul wanted them to find salvation, but also to grow in the Word. He wanted them to find their destiny.)
14 Become you not unequally yoked to unbelievers: for what partaking is there to righteousness with lawlessness? and what communion is there to light towards darkness? (This has nothing to do with planting seeds. To yoke yourself to someone is to do God's work with them. Don't ever yoke yourself to a unbeliever. They will hold you back. You won't have time to do God's work, because you are too busy trying to keep the unbeliever on track.)
15 And what concord has Christ with Belial? (a Hebrew word meaning worthlessness) or what part has the believer with an infidel?
16 And what agreement has the Temple of God with idols? (i.e. the temple idols. The answer to all these questions is nothing. Separate yourself from unbelievers, Satan and his idols. The Holy Spirit dwells in none of them, but He dwells in you.)
for you are the Temple of the living God; as God has said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Quoted from Lev. 26:12)
17 Wherefore "come out of the midst of them, and be you separate," says the Lord (quoted from Isa. 52:11), "and touch not any unclean thing;
and I will receive you.
18 And will be for a Father to you, and you shall be to Me for sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty. (Divide yourself from the unclean. Don't become yoked with unbelievers in doing God's work. God won't bless your efforts, and you won't be a blessing to others. Put on the yoke of Christ, and receive God's blessings.)