DO NOT RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE IN VAIN

Passage: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Key verse: 13

NIV

6 As God’s co-workers(A) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(B) 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a](C)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(D) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(E) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(F) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(G) and in sincere love;(H) 7 in truthful speech(I) and in the power of God;(J) with weapons of righteousness(K) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(L) bad report(M) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(N) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(O) and yet we live on;(P) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(Q) poor, yet making many rich;(R) having nothing,(S) and yet possessing everything.(T)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(U) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(V)—open wide your hearts(W) also.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

6 (A)Working together with him, then, (B)we appeal to you (C)not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

(D)“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, (E)now is the (F)favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We (G)put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but (H)as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: (I)by great endurance, (J)in afflictions, (K)hardships, calamities, 5 (L)beatings, imprisonments, (M)riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 (N)by purity, (O)knowledge, patience, kindness, (P)the Holy Spirit, (Q)genuine love; 7 by (R)truthful speech, and (S)the power of God; with (T)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, (U)through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and (V)yet well known; (W)as dying, and behold, we live; (X)as punished, and yet not killed; 10 (Y)as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; (Z)as poor, yet making many rich; (AA)as having nothing, (AB)yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you,[a] Corinthians; (AC)our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but (AD)you are restricted in your own affections. 13 (AE)In return (I speak (AF)as to children) widen your hearts also.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Greek Our mouth is open to you
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

What does it mean to not receive God’s grace in vain? Quoting Isaiah 49:8, Paul emphasizes that it is to receive God’s favor and salvation today, right now (1-2). When we respond to God’s grace, his grace immediately takes effect in our lives.

It is also to let Christ live in us in every way (3-10). When facing hardship, persecution, and bad reports, we can get discouraged and act selfishly and grudgingly. In such circumstances, Paul commended himself in every way as a servant of God. This means that he relied on God, inquired of God, and obeyed God’s direction. Then, he could respond with great patience, purity, truthful speech, sincere love, and most of all in the Holy Spirit.

Not receiving God’s grace in vain is also to open our hearts wide toward hostile and unchanging people (11-13). Though the Corinthian believers misunderstood and criticized him, Paul did not close his heart. Instead, he opened wide his heart to them and spoke to them as his dear children. This reflects the heart of Jesus, who came to sinners first, forgave his enemies on the cross, and restored Peter after his failure.

Prayer: Father, we praise you for your grace that is as wide and as deep as the ocean. Help us to receive this grace every day and commend ourselves in your presence.

One Word: Receive God’s grace today