18 And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
18 I'll be a Father to you; you'll be sons and daughters to me."
18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty."
18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. "
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
18 He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
(Read James 1:12-18)
It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect. The commands of God, and the dealings of his providence, try men's hearts, and show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing to themselves. As the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so God is unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so particularly our being born again, and all its holy, happy consequences come from him. A true Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of Divine grace, as if he were formed over again. We should devote all our faculties to God's service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:18
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:11-18
(Read 2 Corinthians 6:11-18)
It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear. Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault, may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they must expect must distress. The caution also extends to common conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and daughters of the Almighty?