2 Corinthians 6:2
What does 2 Corinthians 6:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 6:2 means
Paul cites God’s promise that there is an “acceptable time” and a “day of salvation,” and applies it to the present. The point is urgency: God’s favorable season is not distant or hypothetical; by Christ’s accomplishment, it is now. The Corinthians must not postpone repentance, obedience, or reconciliation. Opportunity has a window; God’s grace invites a decisive response today. Paul’s use of Scripture underscores that this moment in the gospel age is the very fulfillment of God’s saving purpose. To hear that “now” is to be summoned out of delay and spiritual drift into a living, active faith, seizing the moment God Himself has opened by His mercy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000(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):
KJV
King James Version · 1611(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901(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):
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949(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):
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for He saith, `In an acceptable time I did hear thee, and in a day of salvation I did help thee, lo, now <FI>is<Fi> a well-accepted time; lo, now, a day of salvation,' --
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time: behold, now is the day of salvation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(for he says, I have listened to thee in an accepted time, and I have helped thee in a day of salvation: behold, now [is the] well-accepted time; behold, now [the] day of salvation:)
Context
This verse supports the exhortation of verse 1 with Scripture’s authority and adds earnest immediacy. The Corinthians had hesitated in some matters and entertained rival voices. Paul therefore stresses that God’s favorable time has arrived. The next section (vv. 3–10) validates that message by displaying the apostles’ conduct under pressure, implying the message’s authenticity. Verse 2 thus bridges between the call to receive grace fruitfully and the proof that Paul’s ministry carries God’s power and truth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 19:42
saying, If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
- Hebrews 4:7
he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.
- Isaiah 49:8
Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages;
- Ezekiel 16:8
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord Jehovah, and thou becamest mine.
- Isaiah 61:2
to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
- Luke 4:19
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
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