KJV: (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.)
YLT: for He saith, 'In an acceptable time I did hear thee, and in a day of salvation I did help thee, lo, now is a well-accepted time; lo, now, a day of salvation,' --
Darby: (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:)
ASV: (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):
As he begged unbelievers to receive God"s reconciling grace ( 2 Corinthians 5:20), Paul now urged his readers to respond quickly and positively to God"s grace to them. Paul quoted Isaiah 49:8 to stress the importance of responding immediately. The "acceptable time" will not last forever. In the context of the Isaiah quotation, God addressed His Servant, whom the nations had despised, promising eventual vindication and urging Him to restore His people. The parallel with Paul and the Corinthians" ministry is obvious. Rather than squabbling among themselves over Paul, the readers needed to get on with the ambassadorial work that God had given them to do. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 - Ambassadors For Christ
On God's side the work of reconciliation is complete. Everything has been done and is in readiness to make forgiveness and justifying righteousness possible as soon as a penitent soul asks for them. He only waits for us to make application for our share in the atonement of Calvary. Many as our trespasses have been, they are not reckoned to us, because they were reckoned to Christ. God wants this known, and so from age to age sends out ambassadors to announce these terms and urge men to accept them.
God sends none forth to entreat men without cooperating with them. When rain falls on a slab of rock, it falls in vain. Be not rock, but loam to the gentle fall of God's grace. Let none of us be stumbling-blocks by the inconsistencies of our character, but all of us stepping-stones and ascending stairways for other souls.
The three marvelous series of paradoxes in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 deserve careful pondering. The first series enumerates Paul's sufferings on behalf of the Gospel; the second, his behavior under them; the third, the contrast between appearance and reality, as judged respectively by time and eternity. The stoic bears life's sorrows with compressed lips; the Christian, with a smile. Let us be always rejoicing, many enriching, and all things possessing. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 6
1That he has approved himself a faithful minister of Christ by his exhortations, 3and by integrity of life, 4and by patiently enduring all kinds of affliction and disgrace for the gospel 10Of which he speaks the more boldly amongst them because his heart is open to them, 13and he expects the like affection from them again; 14exhorting them to flee the society and pollutions of idolaters, 17as being themselves temples of the living God
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 6:2
Behold, now is the acceptable time [ιδου νυν καιρος ευπροσδεκτος] Here is another “Pauline parenthesis” (Plummer) as in 2 Corinthians 5:7 by the quotation from Isaiah 49:8. The lxx has δεκτος dektos (δεκτοι dektoi) verbal of δεχομαι dechomai but Paul employs the double compound (ευ προσ δεκτος euprosdektos), well-received. It occurs in Aristophanes, Plutarch, inscription, etc. [source]
He saith, etc. [] From Isaiah 49:8, after Septuagint. The Hebrew is: “In the time of favor I answer thee, and in the day of salvation I succor thee.” The words are addressed to the servant of Jehovah, promising to invest him with spiritual power, that he may be a light to Israel and to others. Paul, taking the words in their messianic sense, urges that now is the time when God thus dispenses His favor to Christ, and through Him to men. The application turns on the words acceptable time; a time in which God receives. As He receives, receive ye Him. [source]
The accepted time [καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος] Rev., acceptable. Paul uses for the simple adjective of the Septuagint a compound “well -received,” which is stronger, and which occurs mostly in his own writings. See Romans 15:16,Romans 15:31; 1 Peter 2:5; and compare acceptable year, Luke 4:19. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 6:2
Romans 15:16Minister [λειτουργον] Predicate accusative in apposition with με me and see note on Romans 13:6 for the word. “The word here derives from the context the priestly associations which often attach to it in the lxx” (Denney). But this purely metaphorical use does not show that Paul attached a “sacerdotal” character to the ministry. Ministering (ιερουργουντα hierourgounta). Present active participle of ιερουργεω hierourgeō late verb from ιερουργος hierourgos (ιεροσ εργω hierosη προσπορα των ετνων ergō), in lxx, Philo, and Josephus, only here in N.T. It means to work in sacred things, to minister as a priest. Paul had as high a conception of his work as a preacher of the gospel as any priest did. The offering up of the Gentiles Genitive of apposition, the Gentiles being the offering. They are Paul‘s offering. See note on Acts 21:26. Acceptable (ηγιασμενη εν πνευματι αγιωι euprosdektos). See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12. Because “sanctified in the Holy Spirit” (αγιαζω hēgiasmenē en pneumati hagiōi perfect passive participle of hagiazō). [source]
Romans 15:16The offering up of the Gentiles [ευπροσδεκτος] Genitive of apposition, the Gentiles being the offering. They are Paul‘s offering. See note on Acts 21:26. Acceptable (ηγιασμενη εν πνευματι αγιωι euprosdektos). See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12. Because “sanctified in the Holy Spirit” (αγιαζω hēgiasmenē en pneumati hagiōi perfect passive participle of hagiazō). [source]
Romans 15:16Acceptable [ηγιασμενη εν πνευματι αγιωι] See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12. Because “sanctified in the Holy Spirit” (αγιαζω hēgiasmenē en pneumati hagiōi perfect passive participle of hagiazō). [source]
2 Corinthians 8:12Acceptable [ευπροσδεκτος] See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2. According as a man hath (κατο εαν εχηι katho ean echēi). Indefinite comparative clause with εαν ean and present subjunctive εχει echei Clearly God does not expect us to give what we do not have. Not according as he hath not Note present indicative rather than subjunctive because a specific case is presented. See 2 Corinthians 9:7; Mark 12:43. [source]
1 Peter 2:5Are built up a spiritual house [οικοδομειστε οικος πνευματικος] Present passive indicative second person plural of οικοδομεω oikodomeō the very verb used by Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:18 This “spiritual house” includes believers in the five Roman provinces of 1 Peter 1:1 and shows clearly how Peter understood the metaphor of Christ in Matthew 16:18 to be not a local church, but the church general (the kingdom of Christ).To be a holy priesthood (εις ιερατευμα αγιον eis hierateuma hagion). Late word (from ιερατευω hierateuō to serve as priest, Luke 1:8 alone in N.T.), in lxx (Exodus 19:6), in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:9, either the office of priest (Hort) or an order or body of priests. At any rate, Peter has the same idea of Revelation 1:6 (ιερεις hiereis priests) that all believers are priests (Hebrews 4:16) and can approach God directly.To offer up First aorist active infinitive (of purpose here) of αναπερω anapherō the usual word for offering sacrifices (Hebrews 7:27). Only these are “spiritual” Late (Plutarch) double compound verbal adjective (ευ προσ δεχομαι euprosdechomai) as in 2 Corinthians 6:2. [source]
1 Peter 2:5To offer up [ανενεγκαι] First aorist active infinitive (of purpose here) of αναπερω anapherō the usual word for offering sacrifices (Hebrews 7:27). Only these are “spiritual” Late (Plutarch) double compound verbal adjective (ευ προσ δεχομαι euprosdechomai) as in 2 Corinthians 6:2. [source]
1 Peter 2:5Acceptable [ευπροσδεκτους] Late (Plutarch) double compound verbal adjective (ευ προσ δεχομαι euprosdechomai) as in 2 Corinthians 6:2. [source]
What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 6:2 mean?
He saysforIn a timeacceptableI listened toyouandina dayof salvationI helpedyouBeholdnow[is the] timeof favor[is the] day
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
What are the major concepts related to 2 Corinthians 6:2?
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 6:2
Here is another “Pauline parenthesis” (Plummer) as in 2 Corinthians 5:7 by the quotation from Isaiah 49:8. The lxx has δεκτος dektos (δεκτοι dektoi) verbal of δεχομαι dechomai but Paul employs the double compound (ευ προσ δεκτος euprosdektos), well-received. It occurs in Aristophanes, Plutarch, inscription, etc. [source]
From Isaiah 49:8, after Septuagint. The Hebrew is: “In the time of favor I answer thee, and in the day of salvation I succor thee.” The words are addressed to the servant of Jehovah, promising to invest him with spiritual power, that he may be a light to Israel and to others. Paul, taking the words in their messianic sense, urges that now is the time when God thus dispenses His favor to Christ, and through Him to men. The application turns on the words acceptable time; a time in which God receives. As He receives, receive ye Him. [source]
Rev., acceptable. Paul uses for the simple adjective of the Septuagint a compound “well -received,” which is stronger, and which occurs mostly in his own writings. See Romans 15:16, Romans 15:31; 1 Peter 2:5; and compare acceptable year, Luke 4:19. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 6:2
Predicate accusative in apposition with με me and see note on Romans 13:6 for the word. “The word here derives from the context the priestly associations which often attach to it in the lxx” (Denney). But this purely metaphorical use does not show that Paul attached a “sacerdotal” character to the ministry. Ministering (ιερουργουντα hierourgounta). Present active participle of ιερουργεω hierourgeō late verb from ιερουργος hierourgos (ιεροσ εργω hierosη προσπορα των ετνων ergō), in lxx, Philo, and Josephus, only here in N.T. It means to work in sacred things, to minister as a priest. Paul had as high a conception of his work as a preacher of the gospel as any priest did. The offering up of the Gentiles Genitive of apposition, the Gentiles being the offering. They are Paul‘s offering. See note on Acts 21:26. Acceptable (ηγιασμενη εν πνευματι αγιωι euprosdektos). See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12. Because “sanctified in the Holy Spirit” (αγιαζω hēgiasmenē en pneumati hagiōi perfect passive participle of hagiazō). [source]
Genitive of apposition, the Gentiles being the offering. They are Paul‘s offering. See note on Acts 21:26. Acceptable (ηγιασμενη εν πνευματι αγιωι euprosdektos). See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12. Because “sanctified in the Holy Spirit” (αγιαζω hēgiasmenē en pneumati hagiōi perfect passive participle of hagiazō). [source]
See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12. Because “sanctified in the Holy Spirit” (αγιαζω hēgiasmenē en pneumati hagiōi perfect passive participle of hagiazō). [source]
See note on 2 Corinthians 6:2. According as a man hath (κατο εαν εχηι katho ean echēi). Indefinite comparative clause with εαν ean and present subjunctive εχει echei Clearly God does not expect us to give what we do not have. Not according as he hath not Note present indicative rather than subjunctive because a specific case is presented. See 2 Corinthians 9:7; Mark 12:43. [source]
PastoCompare ἀποδοχή acceptation 1 Timothy 1:15, and Paul's εὐρόσδεκτος acceptable Romans 15:16, Romans 15:31; 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 7:12. [source]
Present passive indicative second person plural of οικοδομεω oikodomeō the very verb used by Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:18 This “spiritual house” includes believers in the five Roman provinces of 1 Peter 1:1 and shows clearly how Peter understood the metaphor of Christ in Matthew 16:18 to be not a local church, but the church general (the kingdom of Christ).To be a holy priesthood (εις ιερατευμα αγιον eis hierateuma hagion). Late word (from ιερατευω hierateuō to serve as priest, Luke 1:8 alone in N.T.), in lxx (Exodus 19:6), in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 2:9, either the office of priest (Hort) or an order or body of priests. At any rate, Peter has the same idea of Revelation 1:6 (ιερεις hiereis priests) that all believers are priests (Hebrews 4:16) and can approach God directly.To offer up First aorist active infinitive (of purpose here) of αναπερω anapherō the usual word for offering sacrifices (Hebrews 7:27). Only these are “spiritual” Late (Plutarch) double compound verbal adjective (ευ προσ δεχομαι euprosdechomai) as in 2 Corinthians 6:2. [source]
First aorist active infinitive (of purpose here) of αναπερω anapherō the usual word for offering sacrifices (Hebrews 7:27). Only these are “spiritual” Late (Plutarch) double compound verbal adjective (ευ προσ δεχομαι euprosdechomai) as in 2 Corinthians 6:2. [source]
Late (Plutarch) double compound verbal adjective (ευ προσ δεχομαι euprosdechomai) as in 2 Corinthians 6:2. [source]