1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. (Mr 16:20; Ac 15:4; 1Co 3:9; 2Co 5:20; Heb 12:15)2For 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. (Ps 32:6; Ps 69:13; Isa 49:8; Isa 55:6; Lu 4:19; Heb 3:13)3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, (1Co 8:13; 1Co 9:12)4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, (Ac 9:16; 2Co 3:6; 2Co 12:10; 2Co 12:12; 1Th 3:2; 2Ti 2:24; 2Ti 3:10)5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; (Ac 16:23; Ac 17:5; 2Co 11:23)6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; (Ro 12:9; Ro 15:19; 2Co 11:6; 1Th 1:5; 1Th 2:10; Jas 3:17)7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; (1Co 2:5; 2Co 10:4; Eph 1:13; Eph 6:11; Col 1:5)8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; (Ro 3:8)9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; (Ps 118:18; 2Co 4:10; 2Co 11:6)10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (Pr 13:7; Joh 16:22; Ac 3:6; 1Co 1:5; 1Co 7:30; 2Co 7:4; 2Co 8:9)11We have spoken freely to you,[1] Corinthians; our heart is wide open. (Ps 119:32; 2Co 7:3; 2Co 11:11; 2Co 12:15)12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. (2Co 7:2)13In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. (1Co 4:14; Ga 4:12)
The Temple of the Living God
14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (De 7:3; Jos 23:12; Ezr 9:2; Ne 13:25; Ac 26:18; 1Co 7:39; Eph 5:7; Eph 5:11; 1Jo 1:6)15What accord has Christ with Belial?[2] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? (1Co 10:21)16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Ex 6:7; Ex 29:45; Le 26:12; Jer 31:33; Eze 11:20; 1Co 3:16; Eph 2:22; Re 2:1; Re 21:3)17Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, (Isa 52:11; Eze 20:34; Eze 20:41; Zep 3:20; 2Co 7:1; Re 18:4)18and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (Ex 4:22; 2Sa 7:8; 2Sa 7:14; Isa 43:6; Jer 31:9; Ho 1:10; Re 21:7)