2 Corinthians 6 8

2 Corinthians 6:8 kjv

By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

2 Corinthians 6:8 nkjv

by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;

2 Corinthians 6:8 niv

through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;

2 Corinthians 6:8 esv

through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;

2 Corinthians 6:8 nlt

We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.

2 Corinthians 6 verses

2 Corinthians 6 8 Meaning

Second Corinthians 6:8 portrays the paradoxical nature of Paul's ministry, demonstrating how the true servants of God endure and are authenticated through a multitude of contrasting experiences. Despite facing both adulation and contempt, praise and slander from human perspectives, their fundamental truthfulness and divine commission remain steadfast. Paul argues that these very extremes—embraced in Christ—serve as proof of their genuine apostleship, overturning worldly standards of judgment.

2 Corinthians 6 8 Context

This verse is embedded in a profound appeal from Paul (2 Cor 6:3-10) to the Corinthian church. Paul is defending his apostolic authenticity and the integrity of his ministry, especially against detractors who likely challenged his authority due to his lack of worldly status, rhetorical eloquence, or apparent success. The Corinthians themselves, often influenced by Hellenistic ideals of honor, power, and wisdom, might have judged Paul negatively based on these standards.

Paul subverts these conventional criteria by presenting a paradoxical list of his experiences. Rather than listing worldly accomplishments, he enumerates the very difficulties and contrasting perceptions through which his ministry endured. He is not commending himself based on these things as merits, but rather showcasing how, through these extreme conditions, his unwavering service and reliance on God prove his genuine calling. The specific list in verse 8 shifts from external perceptions ("glory and dishonor," "evil report and good report") to the very core of his identity and message ("as deceivers, and yet true"), striking at the heart of accusations against his truthfulness.

Historically, early Christians, including Jesus, were often labeled "deceivers" (planos) for challenging established religious and social norms. This accusation was potent, implying charlatanry and misleading the populace.

2 Corinthians 6 8 Word analysis

• by glory: (διὰ δόξης - dia doxes). Doxa means glory, honor, splendor, reputation. Here, it refers to both genuine honor some afforded Paul's ministry and potentially the divine glory evident through their trials. It challenges a simplistic view of suffering by including instances of recognition.
• and dishonor: (καὶ ἀτιμίας - kai atimias). Atimia denotes dishonor, disgrace, or contempt. This highlights public scorn and social degradation, a direct opposite to doxa, illustrating the ministry's reception as inherently contradictory by the world's standards.
• by evil report: (διὰ δυσφημίας - dia dyspēmias). Dysphēmia signifies slander, defamation, or speaking ill of someone. This refers to the verbal attacks and negative publicity endured by Paul and his fellow workers.
• and good report: (καὶ εὐφημίας - kai euphēmias). Euphēmia means good reputation, commendation, or praise. It acknowledges that not all reception was negative; there were those who praised their work and character, maintaining the paradox.
• as deceivers: (ὡς πλάνοι - hōs planoi). Planoi (plural of planos) refers to imposters, charlatans, or those who lead others astray. This was a grave accusation in the ancient world and was commonly leveled against Jesus and his followers, suggesting their teachings were false and misleading. It hits at the perceived illegitimacy of their entire mission.
• and yet true: (καὶ ἀληθεῖς - kai alētheis). Alētheis means true, genuine, authentic, or real. This is the crucial counterpoint to "deceivers," asserting their ultimate integrity and the verity of their message. It's a statement of intrinsic truthfulness that transcends external labels.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "by glory and dishonor," "by evil report and good report": These two antithetical pairs demonstrate the ministry's journey through contradictory public perceptions. They are outward descriptions, how others see and speak of the apostles. This establishes that genuine ministry is not defined by consistent human approval, but endures all forms of public opinion. It shows resilience regardless of external affirmation or condemnation.
• "as deceivers, and yet true": This is the culmination of the paradox, moving from outward perceptions to the fundamental essence of their identity and message. It challenges the gravest accusation leveled against them—being spiritual charlatans—by unequivocally asserting their truthfulness and authenticity. This powerful contrast highlights that despite being labeled as false by some, their intrinsic reality before God and in Christ is one of absolute truth and integrity. It is the most direct defense of their spiritual credibility.

2 Corinthians 6 8 Bonus section

• Rhetorical Device: Paul employs antithetical parallelism throughout 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. This specific verse (v. 8) showcases this by presenting balanced pairs of opposing concepts (glory/dishonor, evil/good report, deceivers/true) which intensifies the message and emphasizes the breadth of their experiences.
• Active Endurance: The Greek preposition dia (διὰ) translated "by" or "through" implies active endurance through these circumstances, rather than merely passive suffering under them. It suggests a resilient and intentional commitment to their calling despite the hardships.
• Christological Echo: The experiences described directly mirror aspects of Christ's own ministry, who also faced glory (from God and some men) and dishonor (from others), good reports and slander, and was ultimately accused as a deceiver, yet was the embodiment of Truth itself.
• Challenge to the Audience: This passage subtly challenges the Corinthian church to re-evaluate their own standards of judging spiritual leaders, encouraging them to look beyond superficial appearances and worldly perceptions to discern true apostleship.

2 Corinthians 6 8 Commentary

Second Corinthians 6:8 encapsulates Paul's robust defense of his apostolic ministry through an unwavering embrace of paradoxical experiences. He lists four antithetical pairs that illustrate the diverse and often conflicting reactions to his proclamation of the gospel. Each pair highlights the truth that authentic ministry, following Christ's example, is not exempt from the full spectrum of human judgment and suffering.

The verse is a powerful rhetorical device, particularly effective in contrasting Paul's approach with those who sought to validate their ministry through worldly criteria of success, honor, and flawless reputation. Paul’s point is not to tolerate these paradoxes but to declare them as inherent signs of a God-ordained ministry. The endurance "through" glory and dishonor, through both evil and good report, attests to a divine strength that is not dependent on human affirmation or shattered by human scorn.

The climax arrives with "as deceivers, and yet true." This specific contrast confronts the very core accusation that would delegitimize Paul's message. To be called a "deceiver" (like Jesus himself) was to be branded a charlatan who misled people. Yet, Paul adamantly asserts his and his colleagues' inherent truthfulness. This paradox underscores the radical difference between how the world perceives the instruments of God and how God empowers and sustains them in reality. Their truthfulness is not measured by worldly approval but by their faithful proclamation of the gospel, aligning their lives with Christ's self-giving. Ultimately, this verse underscores that genuine ministry is often characterized by contradiction, embodying Christ’s power made perfect in human weakness and seen truly in the face of worldly contempt.