2 Corinthians 6:1. We then, as workers together with him— As the joint-labourers of God. Doddridge. As instruments employed by God. Heylin. See 1 Corinthians 3:9. Receiving the grace of God in vain, is the same with believing in vain, 1 Corinthians 15:2. That is, receiving the doctrine of the gospel for truth, and professing Christianity, without experiencing its power, and performing what the gospel requires.

2 Corinthians 6:2. For he saith— See on Isaiah 49:8. The Apostle's reasoning is, God, addressing himself in the passage produced from Isaiah to the Messiah, speaks of a limited time, in which the Messiah's petition, speaking more humano, after the manner of men, was welcome to him, and in which he was ready to grant salvation; and behold, now is the accepted time,—now is the precious season, when, by the wonderful favour and goodness of God, complete forgiveness and eternal felicity are freely offered. This verse should be read in a parenthesis. See the introduction to the chapter.

2 Corinthians 6:4. In affliction, &c.— Dr. Whitby thinks that the first word Θλιψις, signifies affliction in general; the second, 'Αναγκη, more grievous and unavoidable troubles; and the third, στενοχωρια, such pressures as reduce us to the greatest straits. See on ch. 2 Corinthians 4:8. The compound sense, therefore, on the whole, is, "We are, as it were, hemmed in with inevitable, and, humanly speaking, inextricable calamities on every side." Beza interprets the word ακαταστασιαις, rendered tumults in the next verse, of "such attacks as a man cannot stand against; but which bear him hither and thither with violence." He would render it in Latin by the word exagitationibu

2 Corinthians 6:6. By pureness, by knowledge, &c.— By purity, or chastity. Heylin. "By knowledge of those divine truths which it is our great business to teach others; and by the due exercise of that knowledge, through the power of grace, in a constant command over our passions." Dr. Scott by knowledge understands Christian prudence.

2 Corinthians 6:7. By the armour of righteousness— "While our enemies assault on every side, it is our care still to be clothed and girded about with the armour of righteousness, both on the right hand and on the left; well knowing that armour to be impenetrable." On the right hand, and on the left, means on every side;—perfectly and entirely. Some refer it to the Christian's being armed, through grace, against the temptations of prosperity and adversity. Mr. Locke's paraphrase is, "By uprightness of mind, wherewith I am armed at all points, both to do and to suffer." It is scarcely necessary to observe to the reader, how extremely sublime and pathetic this whole passage is. Comp Php 4:18. 1 Timothy 6:17. Ephesians 1:3.Revelation 21:7; Revelation 21:7. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

2 Corinthians 6:11. O ye Corinthians,— Another argument made use of by St. Paul, to justify and excuse his plainness of speech to the Corinthians, is the great affection that he has for them; into an expression whereof he here breaks out in a very pathetic manner. This, with an exhortation to separate themselves from idolaters and unbelievers, is what he insists upon from this place to ch. 2 Corinthians 7:16. "O ye Corinthians! my mouth is open to you; my heart is enlarged to you: my affection, my tenderness for you is not strait or narrow. It is your own narrowness makes you uneasy. Let me speak to you, as a father to his children: in return, do you likewise enlarge your affections to me: be ye not associated with unbelievers, (2 Corinthians 6:14.) have nothing to do with them in their vices or worship, or by uniting yourselves in marriage to them; for what fellowship hath righteousness," &c. See ch. 2 Corinthians 7:1.

2 Corinthians 6:12. Ye are not straitened, &c.— "There is no want of kindness in our souls toward you; but, alas! there is reason to fear, concerning some of you at least, that yourown hearts are too much shut up, through the workings of unbelief, carnality, and coolness of affection, against us, and against the consolations which are in Christ for you, which suit your circumstances, and of whichwe would fain have you partakers."

2 Corinthians 6:14. Be ye not unequally yoked, &c.— "Be not associates in marriage, in worship, or in any thing with infidels; for what union can there be," &c. See on 2 Corinthians 6:11.

2 Corinthians 6:15. Hath he that believeth, &c.— Or, hath a believer, &c.

2 Corinthians 6:16. The temple of God;— There seems a peculiar strength in this interrogation; "If God would not endure idols in any part of the land in which he dwelt, how much less would he endure them under his own roof?" No words in our language can equal the force of the Greek, which we render, I will dwell in them;— ενοικησω εν αυτοις,— "I will take up my indwelling in them." This was a promise made to the Jews on their being converted; and consequentlyrefers to their privileges, as members of the Christian church; which shews the propriety of the application, Jeremiah 31:33; Jeremiah 32:37-38.