1.
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
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.)
salvation
(See Scofield "") .
3.
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4.
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5.
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6.
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
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
(See Scofield "") .
8.
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9.
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10.
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11.
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12.
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13.
Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
righteousness (See Scofield "") .
unrighteousness Sin. (See Scofield "") .
15.
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
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 - ναός ," the sanctuary itself).
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,
come out from among them
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 Deuteronomy 22:10.
(2) Separation from evil implies (a) separation in desire, motive, and act, from the world, in the ethically bad sense of this present world-system. (See Scofield "Deuteronomy 22:10") and (b) separation from believers, especially false teachers, who are "vessels unto dishonour" 2 Timothy 2:20; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 John 1:9-11.
(3) Separation is not from contact with evil in the world or the church, but from complicity with and conformity to John 17:15; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 6:1.
(4) The reward of separation is the full manifestation of the divine fatherhood 2 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 6:18 unhindered communion and worship Hebrews 13:13-15 and fruitful service 2 Timothy 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" Hebrews 7:26 and yet in such contact with them for their salvation that the Pharisees, who illustrate the mechanical and ascetic conception of separation (See Scofield "Hebrews 7:26") , judged Him as having lost His Nazarite character. Luke 7:39 Cf ; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 1 Corinthians 10:27.
18.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.