2 Corinthians 6:4

Contextual Overview

¹As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. ¹ As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. ¹Don't you realize the gift you've been given to be able to cowboy for God? Don't waste your new opportunity by living like you used to. ¹ And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— ¹And working together with Him, we also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain— ¹ We then, working together with God, make our request to you not to take the grace of God to no purpose. ¹ But [as] fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: ¹ Working together with Him, we also appeal to you, "Don't receive God's grace in vain." ¹ Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain, ¹ We then, as fellow-labourers, do also exhort you, not to receive the grace of God in vain.

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 build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.

Genesis 6:15
This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.

Genesis 6:15
Now this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.

Genesis 6:15
"This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.

Genesis 6:15
And of this fashion shalt thou make it: The length of the arke [shalbe] three hundreth cubites, the breadth of it fiftie cubites, & the height of it thirtie cubites.

Genesis 6:15
"This is the size I want you to make the boat: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high.

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 6:15
And so thou schalt make it. The lengthe of the schip schal be of thre hundrid cubitis, the brede schal be of fifti cubitis, and the hiynesse therof schal be of thretti cubitis.

Genesis 6:15
And this is the fashion, which thou shalt make it of: the length of the arke shalbe three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirtie cubits.

Genesis 6:15
And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

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.