King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Complete Jewish Bible:
As God’s fellow-workers we also urge you not to receive his grace and then do nothing with it.
Berean Standard Bible:
As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
American Standard Version:
And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
We{G3870} then{G1161}, as workers together{G4903} with him, beseech{G3870} you also{G2532} that ye{G5209} receive{G1209} not{G3361} the grace{G5485} of God{G2316} in{G1519} vain{G2756}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Corinthians 3:9
- For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building.
Hebrews 12:15
- Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;
1 Peter 4:10
- As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Galatians 2:21
- I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
2 Corinthians 5:18
- And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Corinthians 5:20
- Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Romans 12:1
- ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Corinthians 6:1
2 Corinthians 6:1 is part of the Apostle Paul's second letter to the Christian community in Corinth, which was a bustling port city in ancient Greece. In this verse, Paul is urging the Corinthians not to take the grace of God for granted. The historical context of this plea is rooted in the challenges and conflicts that the early church faced, including divisions within the Corinthian congregation and the broader cultural pressures to conform to pagan practices.
Paul describes himself and his fellow missionaries as "workers together with him," indicating a partnership with God in the work of spreading the Gospel and building up the church. This collaboration implies a shared responsibility and a call to live out the faith with diligence and sincerity.
The theme of not receiving God's grace in vain is a call to action, encouraging believers to respond to God's undeserved favor with genuine faith and transformed lives. It suggests that merely acknowledging God's grace is insufficient; one must also bear fruit through a life of obedience and service. Paul is emphasizing the need for the Corinthians to make their faith active and to avoid falling back into old, sinful habits or being led astray by false teachings.
In essence, 2 Corinthians 6:1 is a reminder that the gift of God's grace carries with it an expectation of a transformed life. It is a call to the Corinthians, and by extension to all believers, to live in a way that reflects the grace they have received, thereby honoring the partnership they have with God in the redemptive work of the Gospel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3870
There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παρακαλέω
Transliteration: parakaléō
Pronunciation: par-ak-al-eh'-o
Description: from παρά and καλέω; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G4903
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συνεργέω
Transliteration: synergéō
Pronunciation: soon-erg-eh'-o
Description: from συνεργός; to be a fellow-worker, i.e. co-operate:--help (work) with, work(-er) together. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G5209
There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμᾶς
Transliteration: hymâs
Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own). - Strong's Number: G1209
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέχομαι
Transliteration: déchomai
Pronunciation: dekh'-om-ahee
Description: middle voice of a primary verb; to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively):--accept, receive, take. Compare λαμβάνω. - Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ. - Strong's Number: G5485
There are 147 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χάρις
Transliteration: cháris
Pronunciation: khar'-ece
Description: from χαίρω; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy). - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G2756
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κενός
Transliteration: kenós
Pronunciation: ken-os'
Description: apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain.