2 Corinthians 6:1 BSB

2 Corinthians 6:1

As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

KJV

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

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Commentary

4 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

We then, as workers together with him - On the meaning of this expression, see the note, 1Co 3:9. The Greek here is (συνεργοῦντες sunergountes) “working together,” and may mean either that the apostles and ministers to whom Paul refers were joint-laborers in entreating them not to receive the grace of God in vain; or it may mean that they cooperated with God, or were engaged with him in endeavoring to secure the reconciliation of the world to himself. Tyndale renders it: “we as helpers.” Doddridge, “we then as the joint-laborers of God.” Most expositors have concurred in this interpretation.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

We then not only beseech, but as fellow-labourers with you, who are working out your own salvation, do also exhort you, not to receive the grace of God - Which we have been now describing. In vain - We receive it by faith; and not in vain, if we add to this, persevering holiness.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears; but it will be in vain for us to hear it, unless we believe it, and comply with the end and design of it. And as it is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to exhort and persuade their hearers to accept of grace and mercy which are offered to them, so they are honoured with this high title of co-workers with God.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Not only as "ambassadors." beseech--entreat (2Co 5:20). He is describing his ministry, not exhorting directly. you also--rather, "WE ALSO (as well as God, 2Co 5:20) beseech" or "entreat you": 2Co 6:14, 15, on to 2Co 7:1, is part of this entreaty or exhortation. in vain--by making the grace of God a ground for continuance in sin (2Co 6:3).

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

13 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
Συνεργοῦντες	Sunergountes	Working together	G4903 →
δὲ	de	now	G1161 →
καὶ	kai	also	G2532 →
παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	we exhort	G3870 →
μὴ	mē	not	G3361 →
εἰς	eis	in	G1519 →
κενὸν	kenon	vain	G2756 →
τὴν	tēn	the	G3588 →
χάριν	charin	grace	G5485 →
τοῦ	tou	<the>	G3588 →
θεοῦ	theou	of God	G2316 →
δέξασθαι	dexasthai	to receive	G1209 →
ὑμᾶς·	humas	you;	G4771 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 Peter 4:10
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
leads to
- Romans 12:6–8
  We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;
- 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
  There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
  So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
- Mark 10:45
  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- Hebrews 6:10
  For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
Through
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
leads to
- 1 Peter 2:5
  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 2:20–22
  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
Through
Galatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.
leads to
- Romans 11:6
  And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

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01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 2 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 2 Corinthians