2 Corinthians 6:4-5 NIV1984

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:5

In stripes ,.... As the Apostle Paul particularly was, who was thrice beaten with rods, and five times scourged by the Jews with the scourge of forty stripes save one. In imprisonments ; under which are included bonds, in which they often were for the Gospel of Christ: in tumults ; and uproars of the people, when their lives were frequently in imminent danger: or "in tossings to and fro"; being drove from place to place through the fury of their enemies; in labours ; in a... 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

Adam Clarke

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

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

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