2 Corinthians 6:4 BSB

2 Corinthians 6:4

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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

KJV

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

⋯

Commentary

5 voices

Gregory of Nyssa

ON THE CHRISTIAN MODE OF LIFE (395)

This is the grace of the Holy Spirit, possessing the entire soul and filling the dwelling place with gladness and power, making sweet for the soul the sufferings of the Lord, and taking away the perception of the present pain because of the hope of the things to come.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

In much patience - Shown, 1. In afflictions, necessities, distresses - All which are general terms. In stripes, imprisonments, tumults - Which are particular sorts of affliction, necessity, distress 3.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Note, [1.] It is the lot of faithful ministers often to be reduced to great difficulties, and to stand in need of much patience. [2.] Those who would approve themselves to God must approve themselves faithful in trouble as well as in peace, not only in doing the work of God diligently, but also in bearing the will of God patiently.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

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.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

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).

Voices on this verse

loading…

Original language & word study

17 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
ἀλλ᾽	all᾽	rather	G235 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
παντὶ	panti	everything	G3956 →
συνιστάντες	sunistantes	we are commending	G4921 →
ἑαυτοὺς	he'autous	ourselves	G1438 →
ὡς	hōs	as	G5613 →
θεοῦ	theou	God’s	G2316 →
διάκονοι	diakonoi	servants	G1249 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
ὑπομονῇ	hupomonēa	endurance	G5281 →
πολλῇ,	pollēa	great,	G4183 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
θλίψεσιν,	thlipsesin	tribulations,	G2347 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
ἀνάγκαις,	anagkais	hardships,	G318 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
στενοχωρίαις,	stenochōriais	distresses,	G4730 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
leads to
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of…
- Ephesians 6:10
  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- Romans 5:3
  Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Through
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
leads to
- James 1:2–4
  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- Romans 8:35–37
  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
- 1 Peter 4:12–14
  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10
  That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- Psalms 56:2–3
  My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.

Featured studies on this passage

Walks through 2 Corinthians 6

The Names of Satan

Scripture rarely gives the adversary a plain name — it gives him titles, and each one is a claim about what he does.

Open the study →

Walks through 2 Corinthians 6

The Yoke

Open the study →

Walks through 2 Corinthians 6

Unequally Yoked, MannaFest

Open the study →

About 2 Corinthians

The Crown of Thorns — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

2 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 6 →The featured study →

Continue: 2 Corinthians 6 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 2 Corinthians

Where the connections lead

The record, by era

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 2 Corinthians