SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:1
¶ Por lo cual nosotros, ayudando a l , tambin os exhortamos que no habis recibido en vano la gracia de Dios,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:1
Verse 1. We then, as workers together with him] sunergountev de kai parakaloumen. The two last words, with him, are not in the text, and some supply the place thus: we then, as workers together WITH YOU, and the Armenian version seems to have read it so; but no MS. has this reading, and no other version. For my own part I see nothing wanting in the text if we only suppose the term apostles; we, (i.e. apostles,) being fellow workers, also entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain. By the grace of God, thn carin tou qeou, this grace or benefit of God, the apostle certainly means the grand sacrificial offering of Christ for the sin of the world, which he had just before mentioned in speaking of the ministry of reconciliation. We learn, therefore, that it was possible to receive the grace of God and not ultimately benefit by it; or, in other words, to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Should any one say that it is the ministry of reconciliation, that is, the benefit of apostolic preaching, that they might receive in vain; I answer, that the apostolic preaching, and the whole ministry of reconciliation, could be no benefit to any man farther than it might have been a means of conveying to him the salvation of God. And it is most evident that the apostle has in view that grace or benefit that reconciles us to God, and makes us Divinely righteous. And this, and all other benefits of the death of Christ, may be received in vain.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. We then, as workers together with him , etc..] The ministers of the Gospel are workers or labourers; their ministry is a work, and a very laborious one, which none have strength equal to, and are sufficient for; of themselves: it is a work that requires faithfulness and diligence, is honourable; and those who perform it aright deserve respect. These do not work alone: according to our version, they are workers together with him; meaning either God or Christ, not as co-ordinate with him, but as subordinate to him: he is the chief shepherd, they under ones; he is the chief master builder, they under workers; but inasmuch as he is with them, and they with him, he is over them, and stands by them, great honour is done them; they have encouragement to work; and hence it is that their work is successful. Though the phrase, with him, is not in the original text, where only one word, sunergountev , is used, and may be rendered fellow workers, or fellow labourers, meaning with one another: and since therefore reconciliation was made by Christ, and the ministry of it was committed to them, and they were appointed ambassadors for him, and were in his stead, therefore, say they, we beseech you also ; you ministers also; as we have entreated the members of the church, to be reconciled to the order of the Gospel, and the laws of Christ in his house, so as fellow labourers with you, and jointly concerned in the same embassy of peace, we beseech you the ministers of the word in this church, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain : by the grace of God, is not meant the grace of God in regeneration, and effectual calling, which can never be received in vain; for the grace of God never fails of producing a thorough work of conversion; nor is it ever lost, but is strictly connected with eternal, glory: but by it is meant either the doctrine of grace, the Gospel of Christ, so called, because it is a declaration of the love and grace of God to sinners, ascribes salvation in part, and in whole, to the free grace of God, and is a means of implanting and increasing grace in the hearts of men. Now this may be received in vain by ministers and people, when it is but notionally received, or received in word only: when it is abused and perverted to vile purposes, and when men drop, deny it, and fall off from it; or else by the grace of God may be designed gifts of grace, qualifying for ministerial service; and the sense of the exhortation be, that they be careful that the gifts bestowed on them might not be neglected by them, but be used and improved to the advantage of the church, and the glory of Christ; by giving up themselves to study, meditation, and prayer, by labouring constantly in the word and doctrine, and by having a strict regard to their lives and conversations, that the ministry be not blamed; which exhortation he pursues in, and by his own example and others, in some following verses, the next being included in a parenthesis.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offer of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the prope time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know no what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a da 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 ever thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patienc in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper an behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm the against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men withou pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of suc differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variet 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 diligentl 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.
Greek Textus Receptus
συνεργουντες 4903 5723 V-PAP-NPM δε 1161 CONJ και 2532 CONJ παρακαλουμεν 3870 5719 V-PAI-1P μη 3361 PRT-N εις 1519 PREP κενον 2756 A-ASN την 3588 T-ASF χαριν 5485 N-ASF του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM δεξασθαι 1209 5664 V-ADN υμας 5209 P-2AP
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. As workers together with Him (sunergountev). Lit., working together. With Him is implied in the compounded oun with. That it refers to God, not to the fellow-Christians, is evident from the parallel 1 Corinthians iii. 9, laborers together with God, and because the act of exhortation or entreaty in which the fellowship is exhibited is ascribed to God in ch. v. 20. The phrase Qeou paredroi assessors of God, occurs in Ignatius' letter to Polycarp. Compare Mark xvi. 20.In vain (eiv kenon). Lit., to what is vain. Equivalent to the phrase to no purpose.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:1 {Working together with him} (sunergountes). We are co-workers, partners with God (#1Co 3:9), in this work of grace. {In vain} (eis kenon). Into emptiness. The plan of God, the work of Christ on the Cross, the pleas of the ambassador may all be nullified by the recipient of the message.
