‏ 2 Corinthians 6

* The apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers

of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (1-10) By

affection for them, And by earnest concern, that they might have

no fellowship with unbelievers and idolaters. (11-18)

1-10 The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The

gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means

of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation,

and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The

morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow,

nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all

be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should

look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing

suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience

in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due

temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace

of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good

report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches

with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all

things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made

up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our

way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve

ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and

fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They

save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ

their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion,

and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this,

when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they

received the gospel. 11-18 It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and

profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true

faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the

gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of

neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear.

Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose

cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault,

may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into

such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they

must expect must distress. The caution also extends to common

conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance

with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid

seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never

choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by

converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out

from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and

sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the

corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied

privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who

can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and

daughters of the Almighty?