Meaning of 2 Corinthians 6:2

This verse, 2 Corinthians 6:2, is a powerful exhortation from the Apostle Paul, emphasizing the urgency and present reality of God's grace and salvific work. Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8, a prophetic declaration of God's promise to restore His people, and immediately applies it to the current moment of his ministry and to the lives of the Corinthian believers. He asserts that the "time of God's favor" and the "day of salvation" are not distant future events but are actively present. This means that the opportune moment for receiving God's grace, forgiveness, and help is now, and the efficacy of Christ's saving work is available to all who will embrace it in the present. The emphasis is on the immediacy and accessibility of God's redemptive plan, urging a response without delay.

Context and Background

The Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, a community that had experienced significant spiritual growth but also faced internal divisions and external pressures. In this section of 2 Corinthians (chapters 5-7), Paul is defending his apostolic ministry, highlighting its authenticity and divine origin. He contrasts his own faithful service, often marked by suffering and hardship, with the deceptive tactics of false apostles who sought to manipulate the Corinthian church. Within this defense, Paul underscores the transformative power of the new covenant established through Christ, a covenant characterized by reconciliation with God. 2 Corinthians 6:2, therefore, serves as a call to the Corinthians to embrace the full implications of this new covenant, to accept God's offer of salvation without hesitation, and to align themselves with the true servants of God who proclaim this present reality of grace. The quotation from Isaiah places this present salvific moment within the broader sweep of God's redemptive history, demonstrating that God's plan for salvation has always been unfolding, culminating in the present era.

Key Themes and Messages

• Present Opportunity: The central message is that salvation and God's favor are not future prospects but immediate realities. The "now" is a critical emphasis, highlighting that the present moment is the divinely appointed time for reconciliation and deliverance.
• Urgency of Response: The verse implies an urgent need to respond to God's offer. Delaying acceptance of God's favor and salvation is to risk missing this opportune moment, which is perpetually available in the present.
• God's Initiative: The verse begins with God speaking ("For he says"), underscoring that this offer of favor and salvation originates from God's gracious initiative, not human merit. He is the one who hears and helps.
• Sufficiency of Christ's Work: The "day of salvation" refers to the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection, through which salvation is made possible. This work is now proclaimed and accessible.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance of 2 Corinthians 6:2 lies in its direct call to faith and repentance. It challenges believers and non-believers alike to recognize that God's grace is presently available and His help is accessible. For those who have not yet embraced Christ, it is an urgent invitation to accept the gift of salvation offered through faith. For believers, it is a reminder to live in the fullness of God's favor, to continually rely on His help, and to be acutely aware of the present opportunities God provides for service and spiritual growth. The verse encourages a life lived in the "now" of God's grace, free from the anxieties of the future or the regrets of the past, focusing on present communion with Him.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is deeply embedded within the overarching biblical narrative of redemption. It echoes the promises made to Abraham and the covenants God established with Israel, all pointing toward a future Messiah who would bring ultimate salvation. The "time of my favor" and "day of salvation" find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His coming inaugurated the "last days," a period characterized by the outpouring of God's Spirit and the universal availability of salvation. Therefore, 2 Corinthians 6:2 acts as a bridge, connecting the prophetic promises of the Old Testament with the realized salvation in the New Testament, affirming that the redemptive plan of God has been consistently unfolding towards this present moment of grace.

Analogies

One analogy for the "time of God's favor" and the "day of salvation" is a royal proclamation. Imagine a king announcing a general amnesty or a period of great favor for his subjects. The proclamation is made, and the appointed time to receive this favor is now. Those who heed the proclamation and present themselves during that time receive its benefits, while those who delay or ignore it may miss the opportunity.

Another analogy is a lifeline thrown to a drowning person. The lifeline represents God's salvation, and the outstretched hand offering it represents His favor. The moment the lifeline is thrown is the critical "now." The drowning person must reach out and grasp it immediately to be saved. Waiting or hesitating could mean perishing.

Relation to Other Verses

• Isaiah 49:8: As directly quoted, this verse is foundational, providing the Old Testament basis for Paul's assertion. It highlights God's covenantal faithfulness and His promise to restore His people.
• Hebrews 4:7: "So again he sets a certain day, saying through David, ‘Today,’ long after it was first spoken of as ‘Today’ he says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’” This verse also emphasizes the present urgency of responding to God's voice, connecting the concept of "today" with obedience and avoiding spiritual hardness.
• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This foundational verse speaks to the universal offer of salvation through belief in Jesus, and the "whoever believes" implies a present choice and acceptance.
• Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." This verse underscores the singular and exclusive means of salvation through Christ, which is made available in the present.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20: "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." This verse directly preceding 2 Corinthians 6:2 highlights the ministry of reconciliation, which is offered and received in the present "time of favor."