2 Corinthians 6:4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

◄ 2 Corinthians 6:4 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and 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 distresses,

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But as God's ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties,

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;

American Standard Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

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,

Darby Bible Translation
but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,

Young's Literal Translation
but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,

Cross References

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 9:16
For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Romans 3:5
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man)

1 Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

2 Corinthians 4:8
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

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 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

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 the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.

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.