Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 6:1

What does 2 Corinthians 6:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 6:1 means

Paul speaks as one laboring together with God, not as a detached observer. Because God has acted in Christ to reconcile sinners, Paul pleads that the Corinthians not waste this gift by apathy, compromise, or half-hearted response. “Receiving the grace of God in vain” means allowing the message once embraced to bear little fruit in life and service. Grace is free, but it is not empty; it aims to transform. Paul’s appeal is pastoral and urgent: do not let the reconciling grace announced in the gospel be sidelined by distractions, divided loyalties, or spiritual sloth. To spurn its power is to treat a priceless treasure as if it had no weight or worth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

KJV

King James Version · 1611

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And working together also we call upon <FI>you<Fi> that ye receive not in vain the grace of God--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And we helping do exhort you that you receive not the grace of God in vain.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But [as] fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace ofGod in vain:

Context

This plea follows the prior chapter’s message of reconciliation and Paul’s role as an ambassador. Having declared what God has done in Christ, Paul turns to how the Corinthians should respond. Verse 1 transitions from doctrine to exhortation, preparing for the time-sensitive call of verse 2. It frames the chapter’s two movements: the authentic character of true ministry (vv. 3–10) and the call to wholehearted separation to God (vv. 11–18). Reading this verse as a hinge helps us see why Paul presses both urgency and integrity.

v.1This passage

v.2(for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 12:25

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:

  • Galatians 3:4

    Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:18

    But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;

  • Titus 2:11

    For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

  • 2 Corinthians 10:1

    Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you:

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;

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