Paul is continuing in Chapter 6 his appeal to the Corinthians on behalf God to take the gift of Christ seriously. He quotes Isaiah about God’s faithfulness to hear and respond to his people’s call to him. He calls it the Day of Salvation. 

Paul lists all the obstacles that they have overcome with weapons of righteousness. Paul and his companions endured beatings, riots, imprisonment and hunger. Their solution was not swords, spears or acts of force. How defeated their difficulties was through purity, patience, kindness, knowledge, truth and love. The fruits of the spirit aren’t weak, they are power of God. They were mistreated, but not defeated; sorrowful, yet rejoicing; poor, but making many rich; and having nothing, but possessing everything. 

If you think about, there is no patience without waiting. The challenge proves the strength of character that comes from God. Generosity comes not after abundance, but before. You have to make room for blessing. Paul asks the people to widen their hearts. When things are difficult, we tend to withdraw and hide, but this is the opposite. When we are weak and vulnerable, that is the place God can use us for his glory and not our own vanity. 

Paul warns them to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Oxen are work animals; two cows that have to pull a shared weight. They have to go at the same speed or they’ll end up going sideways into the ditch. The tools of the world are lying, cheating and violence, so we cannot work with worldly people. Working with others of good character will keep us safe and steady on the right path. He compares the righteousness of faith with lawlessness of the non-believers. 

Paul ends the section quoting Leviticus where God promises to live with them. He also quotes Isaiah where he tells them to depart from uncleanliness. Finally, the Lord promises to adopt the faithful as sons and daughters.