2 Corinthians 6 4

2 Corinthians 6:4 kjv

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 6:4 nkjv

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 6:4 niv

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

2 Corinthians 6:4 esv

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

2 Corinthians 6:4 nlt

In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

2 Corinthians 6 verses

2 Corinthians 6 4 Meaning

This verse emphasizes the Christian minister's need to be impeccable in all aspects of life, demonstrating purity and truth to effectively serve God and commend the Gospel. It highlights that their character and conduct should reflect God's holiness, acting as God's chosen instruments.

2 Corinthians 6 4 Context

In 2 Corinthians chapter 6, Paul is defending his apostolic ministry, which had been challenged by false apostles. He contrasts the ministry of the Gospel with the prevailing pagan cults and also the Judaistic legalism. Paul highlights the hardships he and his associates endured as true ministers of God, emphasizing their integrity and purity in their service. This verse directly addresses how they conducted themselves in the face of adversity and scrutiny from both the Corinthian believers and their opponents.

2 Corinthians 6 4 Word analysis

• by fasting:
  • (Greek: nēsteia) - This word refers to abstaining from food. In the biblical context, fasting was often practiced as a spiritual discipline to draw closer to God, to humble oneself, and to focus on spiritual matters, especially in times of seeking divine guidance or confronting challenges.
• by knowledge:
  • (Greek: epignōsis) - This refers to a deeper, experiential, and accurate knowledge, often spiritual knowledge and discernment. It's not just intellectual assent but a profound understanding that transforms the individual, particularly concerning God and His will.
• by patience:
  • (Greek: makrothymia) - This denotes long-suffering, patience, and forbearance, especially under provocation or suffering. It’s the capacity to endure patiently without retaliation or complaint.
• by kindness:
  • (Greek: chrēstotēs) - This signifies goodness, benevolence, gentleness, and kindness. It describes a quality of being kind and treating others with compassion and goodness.
• by the Holy Spirit:
  • (Greek: hagio pneumati) - Refers to the third person of the Trinity, the divine presence and power of God actively at work in believers and in the ministry. His empowerment enables such Christ-like conduct.
• by genuine love:
  • (Greek: aletheinē agapē) - "Aletheine" means true, real, or sincere. "Agapē" is the selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love that God Himself embodies. So, it's a genuine and true love.
• by truthful speech:
  • (Greek: logos alētheias) - This translates to "word of truth." It implies communication that is honest, straightforward, and reflects reality and the truth of God's message.
• by the power of God:
  • (Greek: dynamis Theou) - This signifies the potent, inherent, and active power of God, His enabling strength. The ministry's effectiveness is attributed to divine power, not human might.
• through the weapons of righteousness:
  • (Greek: hoplois dikaiosynēs) - "Hoplis" are weapons or armor. "Dikaiosynē" is righteousness, justice, or uprightness. This metaphor portrays spiritual warfare where the believer's virtuous conduct and adherence to God's ways are their offensive and defensive armaments against evil.
• on the right hand and on the left:
  • This idiom signifies ubiquity or universality; everywhere and in all directions. It means they conducted themselves impeccably without compromise, no matter the circumstances or opposition they faced.
• through glory and dishonor:
  • This contrasts two extremes. They were to maintain integrity whether receiving praise and honor or facing shame and disgrace. Their inner commitment to righteousness remained constant regardless of external reception.
• through evil report and good report:
  • This highlights the need for steadfastness when facing slander and false accusations ("evil report") as well as genuine praise or recognition ("good report"). Their character should be consistent in both.
• as deceivers, and yet truthful:
  • This phrase directly addresses a potential accusation. Despite what enemies might falsely claim (deceivers), their conduct and message were ultimately truthful. It reflects the paradox of being misunderstood by the world but validated by God.
• as unknown, and yet well known:
  • They might have been obscure or unrecognized by the world's standards or even by some within the church ("unknown"), but they were intimately known by God and recognized by genuine believers ("well known").
• as dying, and yet behold, we live:
  • This refers to the constant facing of hardship and threats to their physical life in ministry ("dying"), but experiencing spiritual life and God’s sustaining presence ("we live"). It points to a victory over death through Christ, even amidst suffering.
• as punished, and yet not killed:
  • This could allude to physical beatings or societal reprimands ("punished"), but their core spiritual life and purpose remained intact and unconquerable by their persecutors ("not killed").
• as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing:
  • Acknowledges the genuine grief and pain that ministry often brought ("sorrowful"), but balanced by the abiding joy and peace that comes from the Holy Spirit and from knowing God ("always rejoicing").
• as poor, yet making many rich:
  • This points to their lack of material wealth and worldly status ("poor"), yet they enriched others immeasurably by imparting spiritual truth, salvation, and eternal life through the Gospel ("making many rich").
• as having nothing, and yet possessing all things:
  • A paradoxical statement. In terms of worldly possessions, they had little or nothing ("having nothing"). However, spiritually, through Christ, they possessed the riches of salvation, the fullness of God, and an eternal inheritance, thus truly possessing all things in Him ("possessing all things").
• in nothing giving offense:
  • (Greek: mē poiountes autous tōn epikoschomōn [or scandolou] meden) - This means to avoid causing any stumbling block or offense in their ministry and conduct, to live such a way that their life and message are not a hindrance to faith or to others coming to Christ. The aim was to make the Gospel attractive, not repulsive.
• as servants of God:
  • (Greek: Theou hyperetes) - "Hyperetes" can mean an inferior or subordinate servant, an attendant, or a minister. Paul uses it to express his humble but authoritative position as a divinely appointed servant or minister, subordinate to God.

2 Corinthians 6 4 Bonus Section

The phrases used are a form of "apophatic theology" in application – describing ministry not just by what it is, but by contrasting it with what it is not, or how it appears in paradox. This resonates with how Jesus Himself was perceived – loved by many, yet reviled by others. The enduring spiritual life amidst constant threats ("dying, yet behold, we live") is a testament to the Christian's hope in resurrection and present sustenance by God, a victory over sin and death that ministry points to. The idea of being "weapons of righteousness" is also echoed in the armor of God in Ephesians 6, suggesting that righteousness is the protective and offensive capability of a believer in spiritual warfare. The ability to "make many rich" while being "poor" speaks to the immense spiritual and eternal value that the Gospel offers, far exceeding any material wealth.

2 Corinthians 6 4 Commentary

This verse is a powerful declaration of the character and conduct expected of true ministers of the Gospel. Paul presents a series of paradoxes that defined his own ministry and that of his companions. They were to be above reproach in their actions, avoiding any cause for stumbling that would discredit the Gospel. This perfection in conduct was not achieved by human effort alone but was empowered by divine resources: knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God, all wielded as weapons of righteousness. The ministry is described as navigating extreme circumstances – glory and dishonor, good and evil reports, obscurity and recognition, hardship and enduring life – maintaining an unwavering integrity. This unwavering faithfulness, even in suffering and apparent lack, highlighted their true spiritual wealth and the life-transforming power of the Gospel they proclaimed. The core message is that the effectiveness of the ministry is intrinsically linked to the impeccable character and consistent walk of the minister, all functioning through the divine enablement of God.