2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:5

In stripes, in imprisonments - Of these the history of the Acts of the Apostles gives ample testimony; and there were doubtless many instances of persecution in various forms which are not on record. In tumults - Ακαταστασιαις· Insurrections raised against them because of the Gospel. It is more natural to understand the word thus, than of agitations, or tossings to and fro in consequence of their unsettled state of life; or because of persecution, which obliged them to flee from place... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:6

By pureness - Εν ἁγνοτητι· In simplicity of intention, and purity of affection; together with that chastity and holiness of life which the Gospel enjoins. By knowledge - Of the Divine mysteries. By long-suffering - Under all provocations. By kindness - To our most virulent persecutors, and to all men. By the Holy Ghost - There are doubts among learned men whether the apostle here means that Spirit who is called the third person of the holy Trinity; or some grace,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:7

By the word of truth - The doctrine of truth received immediately from God, and faithfully and affectionately preached to men. By the power of God - Confirming this doctrine, not only by the miracles which we were enabled to work, but also by the application of that truth to the souls of the people by the energy of God. By the armor of righteousness - Such as that described by the apostle, Ephesians 6:13-17 , which he calls there the whole armor of God, consisting of the following... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:8

By honor and dishonor - By going through both; sometimes respected, sometimes despised. By evil report and good report - Sometimes praised, at other times calumniated. As deceivers - Said to carry about a false doctrine for our secular emolument. And yet true - Demonstrated by the nature of the doctrine, as well as by our life and conversation, that we are true men; having nothing in view but God's glory and the salvation of the world. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:9

As unknown - Persons who are to be suspected as harbouring dark designs; persons of neither birth, parentage, nor respectable connections in life; And yet well known - Proved by our whole conduct to have no such designs, and demonstrated to be holy, upright, and useful, by the whole train of our peregrinations, through which we can be readily traced from place to place; having preached openly, and done nothing in a corner. As dying - Through continual dangers, fatigues, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:10

As sorrowful - Considerate men supposing, from our persecuted state and laborious occupation, (often destitute of the necessaries of life; seldom enjoying its conveniences; and scarcely ever, its comforts), that we must be the most miserable of all men. Yet alway rejoicing - Having the consolation of God's Spirit at all times, and a glorious prospect of a blessed immortality. As poor - Destitute of all worldly good and secular interest, Yet making many rich - By dispensing to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:4

Verse 4 4.In much patience. The whole of the enumeration that follows is intended to show, that all the tests by which the Lord is accustomed to try his servants were to be found in Paul, and that there was no kind of test to which he had not been subjected, in order that the faithfulness of his ministry might be more fully established. (584) Among other things that he enumerates, there are some that are under all circumstances required for all the servants of Christ. Of this nature are labors,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:5

Verse 5 5.In tumults In proportion to the calmness and gentleness of Paul’s disposition was there the greater excellence displayed in his standing undaunted in the face of tumults; and he takes praise to himself on this account — that while he regarded tumults with abhorrence, he nevertheless encountered them with bravery. (587) Nor does the praise simply consist in his being unmoved by tumults, (this being commonly found among all riotous persons, (588)) but in his being thrown into no alarm... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:6

Verse 6 Knowledge may be taken in two senses — either as meaning doctrine itself, or skill in acting properly and knowingly. The latter appears to me the more likely, as he immediately adds — the word of truth The Spirit is taken by metonymy, to denote spiritual graces. Frivolous, however, is the cavil of Chrysostom, who infers from this, that the other excellences are peculiar to the Apostle, because he makes mention of the Spirit separately, as if kindness, knowledge, pureness, armor of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:7

Verse 7 7.By the armor of righteousness Byrighteousness you must understand — rectitude of conscience, and holiness of life. He employs the metaphor of armor, because all that serve God require to fight, inasmuch as the devil is always on the alert, to molest them. Now they must be completely armed, because, if he does not succeed in one onset, he thereupon makes a new attempt, and attacks them at one time from before, at another from behind — now on this side, and then on that. (593) read more

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