“Now is the Favorable Timeâ€
(Rethinking 2 Corinthians 6)
“If I only had the time…â€
The apostle Paul urges all Christians to live with a redemptive view of time (2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 5:16). To rethink 2 Corinthians 6 is to be confronted by Paul’s Biblical philosophy of time:
1. Grace (6:2 is connected to 6:1). Often, in the church, we hear—let’s study “grace,†“reconciliation,†or “ministryâ€. Note: these are all present in the verses leading up to 2 Corinthians 6 (see 5:11-21). There is a place for topical Bible study. But, it mustn’t be forgotten that biblical context is as much a part of inspiration as are isolated Bible words.
2. Now (6:2, twice). Note the strong sense of contemporaneity (now-ness). This stands in contradistinction to procrastination or laissez faire.
3. Favorable time (6:2, twice). There is a complete theology behind this phrase (see Isa. 49:8; Ps. 32:6; 69:13; Heb. 3:13).
4. Salvation (6:2, twice). What is it? (see 5:14,15). Where is it? (see 5:16,17). How is it acquired? (see 5:18-21). Is it worth it? (see 6:3-10).
Although these Christians had been baptized, some were not living the life (5:15). “We implore you…be reconciled to God…Now is the favorable time†(5:20; 6:2).
-Robert M. Housby