2 Corinthians 6:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

In these verses we have an account of the apostle's general errand and exhortation to all to whom he preached in every place where he came, with the several arguments and methods he used. Observe, I. The errand or exhortation itself, namely, to comply with the gospel offers of reconciliation?that, being favoured with the gospel, they would not receive this grace of God in vain, 2 Cor. 6:1. The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears; but it will be in vain for us to hear it, unless we... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

6:3-10 We do our work, trying to put an obstacle in no man's way, for we do not wish the ministry to become a laughing stock for critics. But in everything we try to keep on commending ourselves as ministers of God must do--in much endurance, amidst the things which press sore upon us, in the inescapable pains of life, in anxieties, amidst stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in toils, in sleepless nights, in fastings, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:4

But in all things approving ourselves ,.... It is not sufficient for a minister of the Gospel to avoid everything that might bring any blot or scandal on his ministry; but he should in all things, and by all ways and means, proper, lawful, and laudable, approve, prove, and show himself to be a true and faithful dispenser of the word. All in such an office ought to make it appear, that they are such by behaving and conducting as the ministers of God ; as becomes such, whom he has chosen,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:4

But in all things approving ourselves - The apostle now proceeds to show how conscientiously himself and his fellow laborers acted, in order to render the ministry of reconciliation effectual to the salvation of men. They not only gave no offense in any thing, but they labored to manifest themselves to be the genuine ministers of God, in much patience - bearing calmly up under the most painful and oppressive afflictions. In afflictions - Εν θλιψεσιν . This may signify the series of... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

The grace of God had been manifested in the reconciliation of which he had been treating; and this reconciliation had its period, or season, special as to its character and advantages. Everything has relation to time. Life has infancy, childhood, youth—successive eras. Nature has her seasons. It was now God's receiving time, a dispensation of mercy, an acceptable time, a day of salvation. So sensible was St. Paul of this fact that he, as a coworker with God, pressed the exhortation on the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:4

Approving ourselves; rather, commending ourselves, He is again referring to the insinuation, which had evidently caused him deep pain, that he was not authorized to preach, as his Judaic opponents were, by "letters of commendation" ( 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 ) from James or from the ciders at Jerusalem. His credentials came from God, who had enabled him to be so faithful. As the ministers of God ( 1 Corinthians 4:1 ). The article should be omitted. In much patience. Christ had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:4

But in all things - In every respect. In all that we do. In every way, both by words and deeds. How this was done, Paul proceeds to state in the following verses.Approving ourselves as the ministers of God - Margin, “Commending.” Tyndale renders it, “In all things let us behave ourselves as the ministers of God.” The idea is, that Paul and his fellowlaborers endeavored to live as became the ministers of God, and so as to commend the ministry to the confidence and affection of people. They... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 6:3-7

2 Corinthians 6:3-7. Giving, as far as in us lies, no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed On our account. But in all things Or in every respect; approving ourselves To our Divine Master and his church; as the ministers of God, in much patience Shown, 1st, In afflictions, necessities, distresses All which are general terms. 2d, In stripes, imprisonments, tumults Which are particular sorts of affliction, necessity, distress. 3d, In labours, watchings, fastings ... read more

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