2 Corinthians 6:10 - Exposition

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing . The early Christians always insist on "joy" as one of the fruits of the Spirit (comp. Matthew 5:10-12 ), and especially joy in the midst of grief and anguish ( Romans 5:3 ; Romans 14:17 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:16 , "Rejoice always"). The best proof that this was no mere phraseology, but an amazing and new charism granted to the world, may be seen in the Epistle to the Philippians. It was written when St. Paul was old, poor, deserted, imprisoned, in danger of immediate death. and apparently in the lowest deeps of forsakes sorrow; vet the spontaneous keynote of the whole Epistle is, "I rejoice; rejoice ye" ( Philippians 4:6 , Philippians 4:12 ). As poor. The word means even " paupers, " and describes a very literal fact. St. Paul, for Christ's sake, had suffered "the loss of all things" ( Philippians 3:8 ). Yet making many rich. Not by getting collections for them (which would be a most unworthy antithesis, though it is strangely accepted by Chrysostom and others); but "by imparting to them the true riches, in the form of spiritual gifts, and the teaching of the gospel" (comp. James 2:5 ). Possessing all things; rather, as having nothing, and fully having all things . The verb means "possessing all things to the full." For "all things are ours" ( 1 Corinthians 3:21 , 1 Corinthians 3:22 ).