2 Corinthians 6:1-8a, The Favorable Time

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

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

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise.

Paul is concerned there is a real danger here for the Corinthians. The grace of God comes through Christ’s death on the cross. To turn back from Christ shows their initial confession was not real. They need salvation now, not just in the future. Salvation is completely on offer from God. At any moment once can find favor with God by turning to and accepting Jesus. They must take the opportunity to be fully reconciled with God and Paul.

As ministers of the gospel, Paul and his fellow missionaries would not put anything in the way of people coming into faith in Jesus, such as the requirements of circumcision or the dietary food laws. Then he records a list of hardships that servants of God may encounter in this new missionary movement. He follows it with a list of evidence of his character in how he responded to those hardships. Consider where we put obstacles in people’s way today in hearing and receiving the gospel and how you respond to hardships. Do you have a list of character values?

Reflection:

O Lord, prepare us for all the events of the day; for we know not what a day may bring forth. Give us grace to deny ourselves; to take up our cross daily, and to follow in the steps of our Lord and Master.

-- Matthew Henry, 1662-1714