honour = glory. Greek. doxa. See p. 1611. dishonour = shame. Greek. atimia . See Romans 1:26 . evil report . Greek. dusphemia. Only here. good report . Greek. euphemia. Only here. deceivers . Greek. planos. Occurs elsewhere, Matthew 27:63 , 1Ti 4:1 , 2 John 1:7 . true . App-175 . read more
By glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true.The uninhibited nature of Paul's letter shines here. In the case of "glory and dishonor," it is the good which is mentioned first; but in the next pairing, it is the evil which is first mentioned. All of these expressions have the weight of declaring Paul's fidelity to the faith and constant prosecution of his labors as an apostle regardless of all circumstances. read more
8. Translate, "Through glory and dishonor (disgrace)," namely, from those in authority, and accruing to us present. "By," or "through evil report and good report," from the multitude, and affecting us absent [BENGEL]. Regarded "as deceivers" by those who, not knowing (2 Corinthians 6:9), dishonor and give us an evil report; "as true," by those who "know" (2 Corinthians 6:9) us in the real "glory" of our ministry. In proportion as one has more or less of glory and good report, in that degree has... read more
Paul’s example as an ambassador of Christ 6:1-10 read more
These contrasts probably give us some indication of the charges that Paul’s critics were leveling at him (cf. Romans 3:8; 1 Corinthians 4:13). Human responses to Paul’s preaching evidently varied greatly (2 Corinthians 6:8), but God’s estimate was positive regardless of the opinions of people. These contrasts may be between human responses or between the human and the divine responses. Regardless of people’s estimates of him, the great apostle continued to fight the good fight of faith (2... read more
I, 2. Paraphrase. ’Now it is as coöperators with God in this work that we exhort you not to make the grace of God fruitless in your life by continuing in sin. (2) For God has told us in Scripture of a time of grace and of a day of salvation; and this is that blessed time of grace and that day of salvation.’1. Workers together with him] For the idea cp. 1 Corinthians 3:9. In vain] i.e. by an unholy life.2. He (i.e. God) saith] The v. is a parenthesis. The reference is to Isaiah 49:8, God’s words... read more
(8) By honour and dishonour.—The enumeration of the elements in and by which his ministry is carried on begins to take a more personal character. We trace once more in the words that follow the sensitiveness of a recent experience. He has to do his work, at one time, as through a glory which he has not sought; at another time under an ignominy which he has not deserved. Men at one time speak well of him, and at another he falls upon evil and bitter tongues. The very word “deceiver,” most... read more
Unreality 2 Corinthians 6:1 The Apostle is here warning us against what we fear is a very common fault in the present day. So many people seem to receive the grace of God, but it has no influence upon their lives, they receive that grace in vain. I want to say a word or two about the importance of sincerity and reality in religion. If we profess to have any religion at all, let us take great care that it is real. By 'real' I mean that which is not base, hollow, formal, counterfeit, sham,... read more
Chapter 17THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE.2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (R.V)THE ministry of the Gospel is a ministry of reconciliation; the preacher of the Gospel is primarily an evangelist. He has to proclaim that wonderful grace of God which made peace between heaven and earth through the blood of the Cross, and he has to urge men to receive it. Until this is done, there is nothing else that he can do. But when sinful men have welcomed the glad tidings, when they have consented to accept the peace bought for... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
The power of love (5:11-6:13)Because Paul knows that he is accountable to Christ, he knows what it means to fear the Lord, and this makes him more diligent in his service. God knows that his motives are pure and he trusts that the Corinthians know also (11).In making these statements, Paul is not trying to write a recommendation for himself. He is trying to give his supporters reason to be bold in defending him against those who criticize him (12). They may have seen him display his feelings in... read more