Study Desk

As God's co-workers^(a) we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.^(b)

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.

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path,^(d) so that our ministry will not be discredited.

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

in beatings, imprisonments^(e) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^(f)

in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(g) and in sincere love;^(h)

in truthful speech⁽ⁱ⁾ and in the power of God;^(j) with weapons of righteousness^(k) in the right hand and in the left;

through glory and dishonor,^(l) bad report^(m) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;⁽ⁿ⁾

known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(o) and yet we live on;^(p) beaten, and yet not killed;

sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(q) poor, yet making many rich;^(r) having nothing,^(s) and yet possessing everything.^(t)

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.^(u)

We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^(v)—open wide your hearts^(w) also.

Do not be yoked together^(x) with unbelievers.^(y) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?^(z)

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^[b]?^(aa) Or what does a believer^(ab) have in common with an unbeliever?^(ac)

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?^(ad) For we are the temple^(ae) of the living God.^(af) As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."^[c](ag)

Therefore, "Come out from them^(ah) and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."^[d](ai)

And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,^(aj) says the Lord Almighty."^[e](ak)