2 Corinthians 6:2 kjv
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2 Corinthians 6:2 nkjv
For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 niv
For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 esv
For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 nlt
For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you."
Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 49:8 | "Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee... " | Original prophecy quoted by Paul |
| Ps 32:6 | "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time... " | Urgency of seeking God while available |
| Heb 3:7-8 | "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts... " | Emphasizes immediate response to God's call |
| Ps 95:7-8 | "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart... " | Warnings against delay and spiritual stubbornness |
| Rom 10:8-13 | "...the word is nigh thee... that if thou shalt confess... salvation." | Accessibility of salvation in the present |
| Jn 1:12 | "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become... " | Immediate impact of receiving Christ |
| Jn 3:16-17 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son... " | God's salvific purpose through Christ |
| Acts 2:38 | "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one... " | Call to immediate repentance and baptism |
| Acts 17:30 | "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth... " | God's command for present repentance |
| Lk 4:18-19 | "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to preach the acceptable year..." | Jesus proclaiming the fulfillment of the "acceptable year" |
| 2 Cor 5:19-20 | "...God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself... we pray..." | Immediate ministry of reconciliation |
| Heb 4:7 | "Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day... " | God sets a specific time for decision |
| Joel 2:32 | "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name... " | Promise of salvation to those who call |
| Mt 3:2 | "And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." | Imminent arrival of God's kingdom |
| Eph 2:13 | "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh..." | Present reconciliation with God |
| Col 1:13 | "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated..." | Immediate spiritual transfer |
| 1 Jn 5:11-12 | "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life... " | Present possession of eternal life |
| Isa 55:6 | "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while... " | Imploring prompt action to seek God |
| Prov 27:1 | "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day... " | Wisdom against procrastination |
| Rev 22:17 | "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say..." | Invitation for immediate spiritual thirst quench |
| Gen 7:1-7 | "...Come thou and all thy house into the ark... " | God's appointed time for salvation before judgment |
| 1 Cor 1:18 | "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness... " | Gospel message brings salvation now or perishes now |
2 Corinthians 6 verses
2 Corinthians 6 2 Meaning
2 Corinthians 6:2 presents a declaration from God, quoted by Paul from the prophet Isaiah, and then recontextualized as an urgent, present reality for the Corinthians and all who hear the Gospel. It means that the long-awaited divine moment of favor, the propitious time for salvation, is not a distant future event but is accessible "now." God has promised to hear and help in an acceptable time and a day of salvation, and Paul proclaims that this promised era has arrived through Christ, making it imperative for individuals to respond immediately to God's offer of reconciliation and grace.
2 Corinthians 6 2 Context
This verse is embedded within Paul's fervent appeal to the Corinthians, urging them not to "receive the grace of God in vain" (2 Cor 6:1). It immediately follows his description of himself and fellow apostles as "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5:20), through whom God makes His appeal. The overarching theme of reconciliation between God and humanity, made possible through Christ, forms the backdrop. Paul emphasizes the present reality and urgency of this reconciliation, presenting God's promise in Isaiah 49:8 as having been fulfilled in the current era through Christ's ministry. He uses this Old Testament prophecy to validate his call for immediate action from the Corinthians, warning them against spiritual procrastination in accepting the grace that is freely offered. Historically, this passage speaks to believers living between Christ's resurrection and His return, highlighting this interim as "the accepted time" and "the day of salvation" – a unique period where God's mercy is preeminently available for all.
2 Corinthians 6 2 Word analysis
For: (Greek: gar - γὰρ) Connects the previous statement about not receiving grace in vain with the biblical proof supporting that urgency. It introduces a reason or explanation.
he saith: (Greek: legei - λέγει) Refers to God, highlighting divine authority behind the quotation. It signifies a divine utterance that has been, and continues to be, true.
I have heard thee: (Greek: epēkousá sou - ἐπήκουσά σου) From the perspective of Isaiah 49:8, this refers to God's response to His Servant (often identified as the Messiah or faithful Israel). In Paul's reapplication, it signifies God's readiness to answer the call of humanity for reconciliation through Christ.
in a time accepted: (Greek: kairō dektō - καιρῷ δεκτῷ) Kairós means a specific, opportune time or season, a divinely appointed moment, not just general chronological time (chronos). Dektós means acceptable, welcome, or favorable. This refers to a propitious season designated by God.
and: (Greek: kai - καὶ) Connective linking two parallel phrases, emphasizing the synchronicity of God's hearing and succoring.
in the day of salvation: (Greek: hēmerā sōtērias - ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας) Hēmera means day, implying a distinct period or occasion. Sōtēria means deliverance, preservation, salvation, well-being. This is the period specifically designated for divine rescue and liberation.
have I succoured thee: (Greek: eboēthēsá soi - ἐβοήθησά σοι) Eboēthēsa means I helped, came to aid, or succored. It speaks of providing relief and assistance, signifying God's active involvement in delivering.
behold: (Greek: idou - ἰδοὺ) An interjection commanding immediate attention, acting as an exclamation mark. It points to something of great significance and immediacy.
now: (Greek: nūn - νῦν) This is the pivot word. It shifts the prophecy from a future or past declaration to a present, living reality. It emphasizes immediacy and urgency, stating that the prophesied "time accepted" and "day of salvation" is this moment, inaugurated by Christ's ministry.
is the accepted time: (Greek: kairos euprosdektos - καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος) Kairós (opportune time) combined with euprosdektos, which is an intensified form of dektos (accepted/favorable), meaning "well-pleasing," "most acceptable," or "especially favorable." It conveys a stronger sense of divine approval and accessibility than dektos.
behold, now is the day of salvation: Repetition for powerful emphasis. It reiterates the central message of immediate opportunity and fulfillment.
"For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee": This passage is a direct quote from Isaiah 49:8 (LXX - Septuagint), a prophetic oracle often applied to the Suffering Servant, who is frequently understood to be the Messiah or righteous Israel. Paul uses this quote to establish a theological foundation from the Old Testament, grounding his present exhortation in God's eternal plan and promise.
"behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation": This is Paul's inspired reapplication and interpretation of the Isaiah passage. The "now" (nūn) is crucial, highlighting a radical eschatological shift. The prophesied "acceptable time" and "day of salvation," which the Israelites awaited, has arrived with the ministry of Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel. Paul is declaring that the present age is precisely that epoch of divine favor and redemptive action, demanding an immediate response. This urgent "now" contrasts sharply with the danger of spiritual procrastination mentioned in the preceding verse ("receive not the grace of God in vain").
2 Corinthians 6 2 Bonus section
The Hebrew word in Isaiah 49:8 for "accepted time" is ‘ēṯ rāṣôn (עֵת רָצוֹן), where rāṣôn refers to favor, good will, or delight. The Greek Septuagint, which Paul quotes, uses kairō dektō, and Paul intensifies this in the second part of the verse with kairòs euprosdektos, reflecting a theological emphasis on the absolute and present availability of God's most excellent favor. The repetition of "behold, now" serves as a rhetorical device known as anaphora, drawing powerful attention to the current moment. This verse also implicitly polemicizes against any belief system that defers salvation to a future event or condition dependent on human merit or a specific human works. Paul stresses that the work is already done through Christ, and the time for receiving it is immediately accessible by faith, making any delay potentially fatal. The "now" reflects Christ's inaugurated eschatology—the "end times" have begun with His first coming.
2 Corinthians 6 2 Commentary
2 Corinthians 6:2 stands as a monumental declaration of the immediacy and availability of God's grace through Christ. Paul, acting as God's ambassador, directly quotes Isaiah 49:8 to affirm that the age of prophecy's fulfillment is not future, but now. The phrases "accepted time" (kairō dektō) and "day of salvation" (hēmerā sōtērias) refer to a divinely appointed season of grace and opportunity, previously spoken of by God. Paul's crucial re-interpretation lies in the emphatic "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (utilizing the stronger euprosdektos). This shifts the Old Testament promise from a Messianic prophecy that could be considered distant into a present reality experienced in the proclamation of the Gospel.
The urgency conveyed by "now" implies a limited window of opportunity. It contrasts with hardened hearts and procrastination. This is the moment God has prepared, where reconciliation through Christ is freely offered. To delay acceptance or to passively "receive the grace of God in vain" (v.1) would be to miss this critical, divinely ordained period of favor. It's an indicative ("this is the time") leading to an imperative (therefore, respond). It underscores the responsibility of every hearer to appropriate the salvation God has provided, emphasizing that the cross of Christ inaugurated this new, favorable era.For example, for someone hearing the gospel, it's a call not to delay but to believe immediately. For a believer who has strayed, it's a reminder that today is the day for repentance and renewal. For those actively serving, it's an affirmation of the crucial significance of their ministry in this specific, God-appointed time.