6:1 grace The Greek word used here, charis, refers in this instance to the unmerited favor God demonstrated in the sacrificial death of Christ (5:14–19). Christ’s death is the reason why people can freely enter into a relationship with God.

6:2 day of salvation I helped you Paul quotes Isa 49:8 to appeal to the Corinthians and emphasize God’s readiness to receive them when they turn to Him. Just as God restored Israel from exile, He now reconciles people to Himself through Christ (see note on 2 Cor 1:3). The day of salvation refers to the present period of time (between Christ’s first and second comings) in which reconciliation with God is available to all people.

6:5 beatings See Acts 16:37; 18:17; 21:32.

prisons See Acts 16:23; 20:23; 24:27.

6:6 purity See Acts 21:21–24; see 2 Cor 1:12 and note.

6:7 word of truth See 4:2.

power of God See 1 Cor 1:24 and note.

weapons of righteousness Refers to weapons that equip believers to live righteously and resist the work of evil forces. Compare Rom 6:13; 2 Cor 10:4; Eph 6:10–20; 1 Thess 5:8.

6:11 heart is open wide Paul pleads with the Corinthians to return the affection that he and his missionary companions have demonstrated to them. He makes this plea because there are some in Corinth who are trying to turn the community against them.

6:13 speaking as to children Since Paul founded the church in Corinth, he regards the believers as his spiritual children (1 Cor 4:14; compare Gal 4:19).

open wide your hearts Paul will repeat this appeal (2 Cor 7:2) as he closes his defense of his apostolic ministry (2:17–7:4). See note on v. 11.

6:14 unevenly yoked with unbelievers Paul is not addressing the issue of marriage between believers and unbelievers here (compare 1 Cor 7:12–16); rather, he is urging the Corinthians to avoid aligning themselves with those who view him (and others) according to false standards (2 Cor 5:16). In allowing these unbelievers to have influence, the Corinthians cause rebellion against Paul and dissolve the unity of the church in Corinth.

righteousness and lawlessness Paul uses the same contrast to exhort believers not to bring their disputes before unbelievers (1 Cor 6:1).

6:15 Beliar The Greek term used here, beliar, comes from a similar Hebrew word, beliyya'al, that literally means “worthless.” The ot used this term to describe people who were wicked or lawless (Deut 13:13; 1 Sam 2:12; 1 Kgs 21:10; Prov 6:12). In later Jewish literature, it was used as a proper noun to refer to Satan (see Testament of Levi 19:1, which contrasts “light” with “darkness” and “the law of the Lord” with “the works of beliar”).

6:16 the temple of God have with idols Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are God’s temple—individually and collectively (see note on 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19). Therefore, they must not engage in idolatry, whether inside or outside a pagan temple. Some of the Corinthians were compromising proper worship of God by choosing to worship like unbelievers.

Metaphors for the Church

they will be my people Paul quotes the covenant formula found several places in the ot (e.g., Exod 6:7; Lev 26:12; Jer 31:33; Ezek 11:20).

6:17 come out from their midst Paul quotes Isa 52:11 to urge the believers in Corinth to separate themselves from the harmful influence of unbelievers. Such people opposed Paul and divided the church; the Corinthians must no longer tolerate their divisiveness.

I will welcome you Paul is most likely quoting Ezek 20:34 (compare Ezek 20:41; Zeph 3:20), where God promises exiled Israel that He will gather and restore them to His covenant (Ezek 20:37–38). Paul encourages the Corinthians to separate themselves from harmful influence and be fully reconciled to God.

6:18 I will be a father to you In 2 Cor 6:16, Paul quoted the covenant formula. Here he quotes the adoption formula, where God promises to be a father to David’s son (2 Sam 7:14). Paul combines 2 Sam 7:14 with Isa 43:6 to apply God’s promise of adoption to all His people (compare Rom 8:14–15; Gal 3:26).