1We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose. 2(For he says, I have given ear to you at a good time, and I have been your helper in a day of salvation: see, now is the good time; now is the day of salvation): 3Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work; 4But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow, 5In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food; 6In a clean heart, in knowledge, in long waiting, in being kind, in the Holy Spirit, in true love, 7In the true word, in the power of God; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8By glory and by shame, by an evil name and a good name; as untrue, and still true; 9Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death; 10As full of sorrow, but ever glad; as poor, but giving wealth to others; as having nothing, but still having all things. 11Our mouth is open to you, O Corinthians, our heart is wide. 12It is not our feelings to you which are narrow, but yours to us. 13Now to give me back payment of the same sort (I am talking as to my children), let your hearts be wide open to me. 14Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark? 15And what agreement is there between Christ and the Evil One? or what part has one who has faith with one who has not? 16And what agreement has the house of God with images? for we are a house of the living God; even as God has said, I will be living among them, and walking with them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17For which cause, Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and let no unclean thing come near you; and I will take you for myself, 18And will be a Father to you; and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord, the Ruler of all.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (1-10) By affection for them, And by earnest concern, that they might have no fellowship with unbelievers and idolaters. (11-18) 1-10 The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as 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 approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel. 11-18 It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear. Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault, may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they must expect must distress. The caution also extends to common conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by converse 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 be 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?