Scofield Reference Bible Notes
2 Corinthians 6

2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

workers together

fellow-workmen.

grace

Grace (imparted). 2Co 8:1, 6-7, 19. (Rom 6:1; 2Pe 3:18).

2Co 6:2 (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.)

I have heard thee in a time accepted

Isa 49:8.

salvation

Scofield Romans 1:16, note.

2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

approving

commending.

ministers of God

1Co 4:1.

2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Holy Ghost

Holy Spirit (N.T.). 2Co 12:18. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

righteousness

Scofield 1 John 3:7, note.

2Co 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

as deceivers

Jhn 7:12.

2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

possessing all things

Psa 84:11.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

unequally yoked

Deu 7:2-3; 1Co 7:39.

righteousness

Scofield Romans 10:10, note.

unrighteousness

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

infidel

unbeliever.

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

temple

Greek naos, the sanctuary itself.

of God

Lev 26:11-12.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

separate

Separation, Summary:

1. Separation in Scripture is twofold: "from" whatever is contrary to the mind of God; and "unto" God Himself. The underlying principle is that in a moral universe it is impossible for God to fully bless and use His children who are in compromise or complicity with evil. The unequal yoke is anything which unites a child of God and an unbeliever in a common purpose (Deu 22:10).
2. Separation from evil implies
   1. separation in desire, motive, and act, from the world, in the ethically bad sense of this present world-system (see Scofield Rev 13:8, note) and
   2. separation from believers, especially false teachers, who are "vessels unto dishonour" (2Ti 2:20-21; 2Jo 1:9-11).
3. Separation is not from contact with evil in the world or the church, but from complicity with and conformity to (Jhn 17:15; 2Co 6:14-18; Gal 6:1).
4. The reward of separation is the full manifestation of the divine fatherhood (2Co 6:17-18); unhindered communion and worship (Heb 13:13-15), and fruitful service (2Ti 2:21), as world-conformity involves the loss of these, though not of salvation. Here, as in all else, Christ is the model. He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners" (Heb 7:26), and yet in such contact with them for their salvation that the Pharisees, who illustrate the mechanical and ascetic conception of separation (Scofield Matthew 3:7, note), judged Him as having lost His Nazarite character (Luk 7:39). Cf. 1Co 9:19-23; 10:27.

touch not the unclean thing

Isa 52:11.

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

will be a Father unto you

Jer 31:9; Rev 21:7.