2 Corinthians 6:1

King James Version (KJV)

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

We then, as workers together with him - Συνεργουντες δε και παρακαλουμεν . 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, την χαριν του Θεου, 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.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

We then, as workers together with him - On the meaning of this expression, see the note, 1 Corinthians 3:9. The Greek here is ( συνεργοῦντες sunergountes) “working together,” and may mean either that the apostles and ministers to whom Paul refers were joint-laborers in entreating them not to receive the grace of God in vain; or it may mean that they cooperated with God, or were engaged with him in endeavoring to secure the reconciliation of the world to himself. Tyndale renders it: “we as helpers.” Doddridge, “we then as the joint-laborers of God.” Most expositors have concurred in this interpretation. The word properly means, to work together; to cooperate in producing any result. Macknight supposes that the word here is in the vocative, and is an address to the fellow-laborers of Paul, entreating them not to receive the grace of God in vain. In this opinion he is probably alone, and has manifestly departed from the scope and design of the passage. Probably the most obvious meaning is that of our translators, who regard it as teaching that Paul was a joint-worker with God in securing the salvation of people.

That ye receive not the grace of God in vain - The “grace of God” here means evidently the gracious offer of reconciliation and pardon. And the sense is, “We entreat you not to neglect or slight this offer of pardon, so as to lose the benefit of it, and be lost. It is offered freely and fully. It may be partaken of by all, and all may be saved. But it may also be slighted, and all the benefits of it will then be lost.” The sense is, that it was possible that this offer might be made to them, they might hear of a Saviour, be told of the plan of reconciliation and have the offers of mercy pressed on their attention and acceptance, and yet all be in vain. They might notwithstanding all this be lost, for simply to hear of the plan of salvation or the offers of mercy, will no more save a sinner than to hear of medicine will save the sick. It must be embraced and applied, or it will be in vain. It is true that Paul probably addressed this to those who were professors of religion; and the sense is, that they should use all possible care and anxiety lest these offers should have been made in vain. They should examine their own hearts; they should inquire into their own condition; they should guard against self-deception. The same persons 2 Corinthians 5:20 Paul had exhorted also to be reconciled to God; and the idea is, that he would earnestly entreat even professors of religion to give all diligence to secure an interest in the saving mercy of the gospel, and to guard against the possibility of being self-deceived and ruined.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Workers together. The principle of cooperation is vital to personal spiritual accomplishment and to success in Christian service. God does not dispense with man’s voluntary cooperation (DA 535). Man’s capacity for good is completely dependent upon the measure of his cooperation with the divine (cf. John 5:19, 30; DA 297). Christian ministers and workers are not to attempt to labor in their own strength or wisdom, and God does not leave them to their own devices, or to their own resources. This cooperation between Christ and His ambassadors is to be so close and continuous that “they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence” (DA 827). Christ is more than an observer, simply looking on; He is an active partner in all that they do (Phil. 2:12, 13; cf. Heb. 1:14).

Receive. Gr. dechomai, here, “to receive favorably,” “to approve,” “to embrace.” It is possible to give mental assent to the grace of God and yet not be benefited by it. This truth Christ illustrated by the seed that feel on stony ground and among thorns (see on Matt. 13:5-7). Even though the Corinthians had responded to Paul’s earlier exhortations and had been reconciled to God, this was not enough. The work of their salvation, individually, was not yet complete. The Christian life has only begun when men are reconciled to God and thereby enter upon a new relationship with Him. It is true that at the moment of reconciliation they are in a saved state. They stand justified by the grace of God. But the gospel of Christ includes much more than the forgiveness of past sins; it envisions, as well, a transformation of character whose goal is a life into which sin does not enter (see on Rom. 6:5-16; 2 Cor. 1:22; 3:18). The initial reception of God’s grace, which brings justification, is to be followed by a continuous reception of grace, which produces sanctification.

Grace. See on Rom. 3:24.

In vain. That is, without its having served any useful purpose (cf. Isa. 55:10, 11). The important thing is the way man receives grace, and continues to receive it (see on Matt. 13:23; Acts 2:41).

God’s grace is received in vainÃ¢â‚¬â€

1. When it is neglected. Persistent inattention may deafen the heart to God’s voice. A guidebook for a journey is of little value to a man who blunders along without studying it or following its instructions.

2. When it is perverted by using it as a cloak for sin (Rom. 6:1, 15). The unscriptural argument that God’s grace abrogates His law (see on Rom. 3:31) is advanced by some as an excuse for doing as they please instead of obeying God (see Heb. 10:29).

3. When it is adulterated with human ideas and methods. Men receive God’s grace in vain when they seek to earn merit before God by a punctilious legalism (Rom. 6:14, 15; Gal. 2:21; 5:4; Eph 2:8, 9).

4. When it is received only by the intellect and is not taken into the life; when it does not purify the heart and lead to full and eager obedience to the Word of God. Comprehension without application is like studying food chemistry but neglecting to eat (Matt. 7:20-24).

If there is no advancement beyond the first step of justification, the grace of God has been received in vain. It has served no useful purpose. It is sometimes necessary to prime a pump in order to start it operating, but the priming is not an end in itself. In the same way, God imparts grace to justify the repentant sinner, but only in order to place him in a position where he can receive continuing grace to help him live above sin. Justification by grace is but the beginning of the Christian life.

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Ellen G. White
Conflict and Courage, 96.1

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1. CC 96.1

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Ellen G. White
God's Amazing Grace, 66.1

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1. AG 66.1

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Ellen G. White
In Heavenly Places, 239.4

The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others. They may not realize that they are doing any special good, but by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessings that will widen and deepen, and the blessed results they may never know till the day of final reward. They are not required to weary themselves with anxiety about success. They have only to go forward quietly, doing faithfully the work God's providence assigns, and their life will not be in vain. Their own souls will be growing more and more into the likeness of Christ; they are workers together with God in this life and are thus fitting for the higher work and the unshadowed joy of the life to come. HP 239.4

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Ellen G. White
In Heavenly Places, 287.5

To possess true godliness means to love one another, to help one another, to make apparent the religion of Jesus in our lives. We are to be consecrated channels through which the love of Christ flows to those who need help.... He who approaches nearest to obedience to the divine law will be of the most service to God. He who follows Christ, reaching out after His goodness, His compassion, His love for the human family, will be accepted by God as a worker together with Him.... HP 287.5

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