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Revised Standard Version

2 Corinthians 6:4

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflictions and Adversities;   Holy Spirit;   Longsuffering;   Love;   Minister, Christian;   Obedience;   Paradox;   Patience;   Paul;   Persecution;   Resignation;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Leaders;   Ministers;   Names;   Religious;   Right;   Titles and Names;   True Spirit;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Afflicted Saints;   Ministers;   Patience;   Self-Denial;   Titles and Names of Ministers;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Deacon;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Minister;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christians, Names of;   Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of;   Deacon, Deaconess;   Leadership;   Wealth;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Corinth;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Affliction;   Deacon;   Persecution in the Bible;   Thorn in the Flesh;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Deacon;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Activity;   Cheerfulness ;   Commendation ;   Deacon, Deaconess;   Evil;   Long-Suffering ;   Minister, Ministration;   Numbers;   Sifting;   Tribulation;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - 33 Patience Long-Suffering Forbearance;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Deacon;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Paul;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Commend;   Corinthians, Second Epistle to the;  

Devotionals:

- My Utmost for His Highest - Devotion for March 6;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties,
King James Version (1611)
But in all things approuing our selues, as the Ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
King James Version
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
English Standard Version
but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
New American Standard Bible
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,
New Century Version
But in every way we show we are servants of God: in accepting many hard things, in troubles, in difficulties, and in great problems.
Amplified Bible
but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
Legacy Standard Bible
but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God, in much perseverance, in afflictions, in distresses, in hardships,
Berean Standard Bible
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
Contemporary English Version
But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times.
Complete Jewish Bible
On the contrary, we try to commend ourselves in every way as workers for God by continually enduring troubles, hardships, calamities,
Darby Translation
but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,
Easy-to-Read Version
But in every way we show that we are servants of God. We never give up, even though we face troubles, difficulties, and problems of every kind.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But in all things we approue our selues as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
George Lamsa Translation
But in all things let us show ourselves, to be the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in imprisonment,
Good News Translation
Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties.
Lexham English Bible
but commending ourselves as servants of God in every way, in much endurance, in afflictions, in distresses, in difficulties,
Literal Translation
but in everything commending ourselves as God's servants, in much patience, in afflictions, in emergencies, in difficulties,
American Standard Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
Bible in Basic English
But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,
Hebrew Names Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
International Standard Version
Instead, in every way we demonstrate that we are God's servants by tremendous endurance in the midst of difficulties, hardships, and calamities;1 Corinthians 4:1;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
but in every thing will we demonstrate ourselves that we are the ministers of Aloha; by much patience, by afflictions, by necessity, by imprisonments,
Murdock Translation
But we, in all things, would show ourselves to be the ministers of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessity, in distresses,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But in all thynges let vs behaue our selues as ye ministers of God, in much pacience, in afflictions, in necessities, in anguisshes,
English Revised Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
World English Bible
but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
in much patience, in afflictions,
Weymouth's New Testament
On the contrary, as God's servants, we seek their full approval--by unwearied endurance, by afflictions, by distress, by helplessness;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but in alle thingis yyue we vs silf as the mynystris of God, in myche pacience, in tribulaciouns,
Update Bible Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
Webster's Bible Translation
But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
New English Translation
But as God's servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,
New King James Version
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
New Living Translation
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
New Life Bible
Everything we do shows we are God's servants. We have had to wait and suffer. We have needed things. We have been in many hard places and have had many troubles.
New Revised Standard
but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, in everything, commending ourselves as God's ministers, - in much endurance, in tribulations, in necessities, in straits,
Douay-Rheims Bible
But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
but in all thynges let vs behave oure selves as the ministers of God. In moche pacience in afflicios in necessite in anguysshe
Young's Literal Translation
but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
but in all thinges let vs behaue oure selues as the mynisters of God: in moch pacience, in troubles, in necessities, in anguysshes,
Mace New Testament (1729)
but in all things I approve myself as the minister of God, by great constancy in afflictions, in torments, in distresses, from stripes,
Simplified Cowboy Version
In every single thing we do, we prove that we ride for the brand. Shoot, we don't even whine or complain about the hardships of the riding in the saddle.

Contextual Overview

1 Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in all: 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 7:11, Acts 2:22, Romans 14:18, Romans 16:10, 1 Corinthians 9:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:3-11, 1 Timothy 2:15

approving: Gr. commending, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Romans 5:8

as: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 11:23, Isaiah 61:6, Joel 1:9, Joel 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 1 Timothy 4:6

in much: 2 Corinthians 12:12, Luke 21:19, Romans 5:3, Romans 5:4, Colossians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 3:10, Hebrews 12:1, James 5:7-10, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 3:10

afflictions: 2 Corinthians 4:17, Acts 20:23, Acts 20:24, Colossians 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:11, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:5

necessities: 2 Corinthians 11:9, 2 Corinthians 11:27, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Acts 20:34, 1 Corinthians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 4:12, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:12

distresses: 2 Corinthians 4:8, Romans 8:35, Romans 8:36, 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:11 - true men Joel 1:13 - ye ministers Matthew 13:27 - the servants 1 Corinthians 2:3 - General 1 Corinthians 9:27 - I keep 2 Corinthians 5:12 - we 2 Corinthians 6:10 - poor 2 Corinthians 10:18 - approved 2 Corinthians 13:7 - approved 1 Timothy 4:12 - in word 2 Timothy 2:15 - a workman Titus 1:8 - sober 2 Peter 1:6 - patience

Cross-References

Genesis 6:15
This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.
Genesis 6:20
Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you, to keep them alive.
Genesis 6:21
Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them."
Genesis 6:22
Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Genesis 11:4
Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."
Numbers 13:33
And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim); and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."
Numbers 16:2
took men; and they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men;
Deuteronomy 3:11
(For only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Reph'aim; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbah of the Ammonites? Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its breadth, according to the common cubit.)
1 Samuel 17:4
And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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, called, and fitted for that service; and particularly in, or

by much patience; by a large, constant, and continued exercise of that grace; and by bearing patiently many things for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, without murmuring at the hand of God, or being angry with men, and without fainting and sinking in their own spirits:

in afflictions; that is, in patiently bearing, them. This word may be considered as a general word, including all sorts of afflictions whatever, of which the following are particular species:

in necessities; want of food, drink, and raiment, being hungry, thirsty, and naked, as the apostles sometimes were: in distresses; both of bad mind; being in such straits and difficulties they know not where to look, what course to steer, or which way to turn themselves.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 endeavored to live as was appropriate to those who were the ministers of God, and so that the world would be disposed to do honor 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 complain, 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 special 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. People 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 used here (στενοχωρία stenochōria) denotes properly straitness of place, lack of room; then straits, distress, anguish. It is a stronger word than either of those which he had before used. See it explained in the notes on Romans 2:9. Paul means that in all these circumstances he had evinced patience, and had endeavored to act as became a minister of God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 6:4. But in all things approving ourselves — The apostle now proceeds to show how conscientiously himself and his fellow labourers acted, in order to render the ministry of reconciliation effectual to the salvation of men. They not only gave no offence in any thing, but they laboured 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 φλιψεσιν. 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.


 
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