2 Corinthians 6 · Verse 4

2 Corinthians 6:4

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 6:4, King James Version

2 Corinthians 6:4 in other translations

BSB	Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
WEB	but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
ASV	but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
YLT	but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,
DARBY	but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,
BBE	But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,
Webster	But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

What does 2 Corinthians 6:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4. Translate, to mark the true order of the Greek words, "in everything, as God's ministers recommending ourselves," that is, that our hearers may give our message a favorable hearing, through our consistency in every respect, not that they may glorify us. Alluding to 2Co 3:1, he implies, We commend ourselves, not like them by word, but by deed. patience--(2Co 12:12). Put first. "Pure-minded" follows (2Co 6:6). Three triplets of trials exercising the "patience" (patient endurance) follow: Afflictions (or "tribulations"), necessities, distresses (or "straits"); stripes, imprisonments, tumults; labors, watchings, fastings. The first triplet expresses afflictions generally; the second, those in particular arising from the violence of men; the third, those which he brought on himself directly or indirectly.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 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. Marg., "Commending." Tindal renders it, "In all things let us behave ourselves as the ministers of God." The idea is, that Paul and his fellow-labourers endeavoured to live as became the ministers of God, and so as to commend the ministry to the confidence and affection of men. They endeavoured to live as was appropriate to those who were the ministers of God, and so that the world would be disposed to do honour to the ministry.

In much patience. In the patient endurance of afflictions of all kinds. Some of his trials he proceeds to enumerate. The idea is, that a minister of God, in order to do good and to commend his ministry, should set an example of patience. He preaches this as a duty to others; and if, when he is poor, persecuted, oppressed, calumniated, or imprisoned, he should murmur, or be insubmissive, the consequence would be that he would do little good by all his Preaching. And no one can doubt that God often places his ministers in circumstances of peculiar trial, among other reasons, in order that they may illustrate their own precepts by their example and show to their people with what temper and spirit they may and ought to suffer. Ministers often do a great deal more good by their example in suffering than they do in their preaching. It is easy to preach to others; it is not so easy to manifest just the right spirit in time of persecution and trial. Men too can resist preaching, but they cannot resist the effect and power of a good example in times of suffering. In regard to the manner in which Paul says that the ministry may commend itself, it may be observed, that he groups several things together; or mentions several classes of influences or means. In this and the next verse he refers to various kinds of afflictions. In the following verses he groups several things together, pertaining to a holy life and a pure conversation.

In afflictions. In all our afflictions; referring to all the afflictions and trials which they were called to bear. The following words, in the manner of a climax, specify more particularly the kinds of trials which they were called to endure.

In necessities. This is a stronger term than afflictions, and denotes the distress which arose from want. He everywhere endured adversity. It denotes unavoidable distress and calamity.

In distresses. The word here used (στενοχωρια) denotes, properly, straitness of place, want of room; then straits, distress, anguish. It is a stronger word than either of those which he had before used. See it explained Rom 2:9. Paul means that in all these circumstances he had evinced patience, and had endeavoured to act as became a minister of God.

(a) "ministers of God" 1Cor 4:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 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 persecutions and distresses in general; the state of cruel suffering in which the Church of God and the apostles then existed. In necessities - Εν αναγκαις· Straits and difficulties; including all that want and affliction which arose from the impoverished state of the Church. In distresses - Εν στενοχωριαις. Such straits and difficulties as were absolutely unavoidable and insurmountable. The word implies, being reduced to a narrow place, driven to a corner, hemmed in on every side, as the Israelites were at the Red Sea; the sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and Egyptian fortresses on either hand. God alone could bring them out of such difficulties, when their enemies themselves saw that the wilderness had shut them in. So was it often with the apostles; all human help failed, and their deliverance came from God alone.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

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

The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 →

2 Corinthians 6:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀλλ᾽all᾽ratherG235

ἐνeninG1722

παντὶpantieverythingG3956

συνιστάντεςsunistanteswe are commendingG4921

ἑαυτοὺςhe'autousourselvesG1438

ὡςhōsasG5613

θεοῦtheouGod’sG2316

διάκονοιdiakonoiservantsG1249

ἐνeninG1722

ὑπομονῇhupomonēaenduranceG5281

πολλῇ,pollēagreat,G4183

ἐνeninG1722

θλίψεσιν,thlipsesintribulations,G2347

ἐνeninG1722

ἀνάγκαις,anagkaishardships,G318

ἐνeninG1722

στενοχωρίαις,stenochōriaisdistresses,G4730

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 6:4

2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2 Corinthians 11:27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
1 Corinthians 4:11-12
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
Romans 8:35-36
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Romans 5:3-4
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Philippians 4:11-12
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
2 Corinthians 3:6
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Joel 2:17
Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
2 Corinthians 12:12
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

in all.
2:17; 7:11; Ac 2:22; Ro 14:18; 16:10; 1Co 9:11; 1Th 2:3-11; 1Ti 2:15
approving. Gr. commending.
4:2; Ro 5:8
as.
3:6; 11:23; Isa 61:6; Joe 1:9; 2:17; 1Co 3:5; 4:1; 1Th 3:2; 1Ti 4:6
in much.
12:12; Lu 21:19; Ro 5:3,4; Col 1:11; 1Th 5:14; 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 3:10
Heb 12:1; Jas 5:7-10; Re 1:9; 3:10
afflictions.
4:17; Ac 20:23,24; Col 1:24; 1Th 3:3; 2Ti 1:8; 3:11,12; 4:5
necessities.
11:9,27; 12:10; Ac 20:34; 1Co 4:11,12; Php 4:11,12
distresses.
4:8; Ro 8:35,36; 1Th 3:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 6:3
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2 Corinthians 6:4
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2 Corinthians 6:5
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

Read all of 2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6:4 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Antes habiéndonos en todas cosas como ministros de Dios, en mucha paciencia, en tribulaciones, en necesidades, en angustias;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	mais en toutes choses nous recommandant comme serviteurs de Dieu, par une grande patience, dans les tribulations, dans les nécessités, dans les détresses,
German Elberfelder 1871	sondern in allem uns erweisen als Gottes Diener, in vielem Ausharren, in Drangsalen, in Nöten, in Ängsten,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	sed in omnibus exhibeamus nosmetipsos sicut Dei ministros in multa patientia, in tribulationibus, in necessitatibus, in angustiis,