2 Corinthians 6 Devotional

Rich While Seeming Poor

“sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”2 Corinthians 6:10 (BSB)

Paul urges the Corinthians not to let the grace they received come to nothing. Citing Scripture, he says God has a time of favor when he hears and helps, and that time is now (6:1-2). He describes what serving God has meant for him: beatings, prison, riots, sleepless nights and hunger, alongside purity, patience, kindness and sincere love (6:4-7). He is treated as an impostor yet is genuine, seems to be dying yet lives, is sorrowful yet keeps rejoicing, poor yet making many rich (6:8-10).

The chapter then turns to holiness. Believers should not be bound together with unbelievers, because they are the dwelling place of the living God (6:14-16). That is first a promise, not a demand. God says he will live among his people, be their God, and be a Father to his sons and daughters (6:16-18). Separation from what defiles flows from belonging to him. Because God has already opened his home to you, you can open your heart wide to his people, as Paul pleads (6:11-13).

To think about: Where are you holding back affection from God's people, and how does belonging to the Father invite you to open your heart wider?