We’re looking at 2 Corinthians 6:1 where Paul says, not to receive God’s grace, or God’s favor, in vain.
What does he mean by not receiving God’s grace in vain? By “receive” he means they heard the message of God’s grace, it was proclaimed to them, in fact he states it just above in 2 Corinthians 5. To have heard the message, received the message, and then not to believe the message, not to have accepted the message, not to have faith in the message is to receive it in vain i.e. to have heard it in vain.
They heard the good news of God’s favor the message was delivered to them but they didn’t believe it so it was all pointless, it achieved nothing, They were given the opportunity to receive God’s favor, God’s grace but they wasted it, they received it in vain.
Mace’s translation make’s it clearer, “…let not the offers of divine favor be made to you in vain.”
What were the offers of Grace, of divine favor that were made to them?
*SCRIPTURES WE LOOK AT IN THIS EPISODE* 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2
Mace translation of 2 Cor. 6:1-2 6:1 Invested then with such a commission, I beseech you let not the offers of divine favour be made to you in vain. 6:2 for he saith, ” I have heard thee in a favourable time, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee.” now this is the favourable time; this is that day of salvation.
Isaiah 49:8 (Tanakh) 8 Thus said the LORD: In an hour of favor I answer you, And on a day of salvation I help you— I created you and appointed youa covenant people— Restoring the land, Allotting anew the desolate holdings,
TDNT (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “…The word has a messianic sense in Is. 61:2: The messianic age is the time chosen by God as the time of the divine presence and salvation. This time comes with Jesus (Lk. 4:18ff.). The acceptable time of divine election and presence is that of Christ’s coming. This is for Paul the time of God’s hearing and helping (Is. 49:8ff.), i.e., the acceptable time, the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2).…” [W. GRUNDMANN, II, 50-59] *WANT TO LEARN MORE