2 Corinthians 6:8
in 2 Corinthians 6through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
KJV
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 6
Commentary
15 notes on this verseDo not angle for compliments, lest while you win the popular applause, you dishonor God. "If I yet pleased men," says the apostle, "I should not be the servant of Christ." He ceased to please men when he became Christ's servant. Christ's soldier marches on through good report and evil report, the one on the right hand and the other on the left. No praise elates him, no reproaches crush him. He is not puffed up by riches nor depressed by poverty. Joy and sorrow he alike despises.
This site's exposition
as deceivers, and yet true
on 2 Corinthians 6:8-10
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true: the catalogue turns paradoxical, nine antitheses in three verses, and the bench reads the form itself as argument, a ministry proved genuine precisely by how the world's opposite verdicts fail to touch it. As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed continues the pattern through mortal danger survived again and again, and verse 10 closes on the note the letter keeps returning to, as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. The exposition names the last line as the same strength in weakness thread that runs from the sentence of death in chapter 1 to the thorn in chapter 12, joy and poverty and possession held together without contradiction because their source is Christ and not circumstance.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
Paul is saying that he was recognized as a sincere and faithful preacher by those who believed that the gospel was the glory of God. Even to those who thought that the gospel was vile, he presented himself as a faithful servant of God and …
If we have lived a life deserving "good repute" and have been spoken well of, now let us also bear up under "ill repute" from the ungodly. Still more, if we have been admired as "true" by those who love truth, now let us laugh at being called "imposters." During the many dangers from which we have been delivered many said that we were "well known" by God; now let the one who wishes call us "unknown," when we are probably better known. Thus, in bearing what has happened to us we are "punished" and yet "not killed," and though "rejoicing," we resemble those who are "sorrowful."
"By evil report and good report." For not only did he bear those things nobly which happen to the body, the 'afflictions, and whatever he enumerated, but those also which touch the soul; for neither are these wont to disturb slightly. Jeremiah at least having borne many temptations, gave in upon these, and when he was reproached, said, "I will not prophesy, neither will I name the Name of the Lord." And David too in many places complains of reproach. Isaiah also, after many things, exhorteth concerning this, saying, "Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye overcome by their reviling." And again, Christ also to His disciples; "When they shall speak all manner of evil against you falsely, rejoice and be exceeding glad," He saith, "for great is your reward in heaven." Elsewhere too He says, "And leap for joy." But He would not have made the reward so great, had not the pain been great; for the pain is both of the body and of the soul; but here it is of the soul alone. Many at any rate have fallen by these alone, and have lost their own souls. And to Job also the reproaches of his friends appeared more grievous than the worms and the sores. For there is nothing, there is nothing more intolerable to those in affliction than a word capable of stinging the soul.
"As deceivers, and yet true." This is, "by evil report and good report."
"By glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report." What sayest thou? That thou enjoyest honor, and setting down this as a great thing? 'Yes,' he saith. Why, forsooth? For to bear dishonor indeed is a great thing, but to partake of honor requires not a vigorous soul. Nay, it needs a vigorous and exceeding great soul, that he who enjoys it may not be thrown and break his neck. Wherefore he glories in this as well as in that, for he shone equally in both. But how is it a weapon of righteousness? Because that the teachers are held in honor induceth many unto godliness. And besides, this is a proof of good works, and this glorifieth God. And this is, further, an instance of the wise contrivance of God, that by things which are opposite He brings in the Preaching. For consider. Was Paul bound? This too was on behalf of the Gospel. For, saith he, "the things which happened unto me have fallen out unto the progress of the Gospel; so that most of the brethren, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word without fear." Again, did he enjoy honor? This too again rendered them more forward.
8 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church2 voices
Now there are two things which pertain to pride, namely, excellence of state and of works. Hence he says, in honor, i.e., by a condition of excellence. As if to say: let us show ourselves as God's ministers, namely, by the glory of God, that …
He explained to us that the weapons in the right and left hand signify glory and dishonor. How then does glory serve as a weapon of righteousness? In that the glory of teachers attracts many to piety. What then? Is this a virtue of Paul? …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
By honour and dishonour - When we are present. By evil report and good report - When we are absent. Who could bear honour and good report, were it not balanced by dishonour?
By honour and dishonour,....
Such a paradox is a Christian's life, and through such a variety of conditions and reports lies our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all these things to approve ourselves to God. Cautions against Mingling with Unbelievers. 11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
By honor and dishonor - By going through both; sometimes respected, sometimes despised. By evil report and good report - Sometimes praised, at other times calumniated. As deceivers - Said to carry about a false doctrine for our secular emolument. And yet true - Demonstrated by the nature of the doctrine, as well as by our life and conversation, that we are true men; having nothing in view but God’s glory and the salvation of the world.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Regarded "as deceivers" by those who, not knowing (2Co 6:9), dishonor and give us an evil report; "as true," by those who "know" (2Co 6:9) us in the real "glory" of our ministry. In proportion as one has more or less of glory and good report, in that degree has he more or less of dishonor and evil report.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
By honor and dishonor - The apostle is still illustrating the proposition that he and his fellow-laborers endeavored to give no offence 2Co 6:3, and to commend themselves as the ministers of God, 2Co 6:4. He here 2Co 6:8-10 introduces another group of particulars in which it was done. The main idea is, that they endeavored to act in a manner so as to commend the ministry and the gospel, whether they were in circumstances of honor or dishonor, whether lauded or despised by the world. The word rendered “by” (διὰ dia) does not here denote the means by which they commended the gospel, but the medium. In the midst of honor and dishonor; whatever might be the esteem in which they were held by the world, they gave no offence. The first is, “by honor.” They were not everywhere honored, or treated with respect. Yet they were sometimes honored by people. The churches which they founded would honor them, and as the ministers of religion they would be by them treated with respect. Perhaps occasionally also they might be treated with great attention and regard by the people of the world on account of their miraculous powers; compare Act 28:7. So now, ministers of the gospel are often treated with great respect and honor. They are beloved and venerated; caressed and flattered, by the people of their charge. As ministers of God, as exercising a holy function, their office is often treated with great respect by the world. If they are eloquent or learned, or if they are eminently successful they are often highly esteemed and loved. It is difficult in such circumstances to “commend themselves as the ministers of God.” Few are the people who are not injured by honor; few who are not corrupted by flattery. Few are the ministers who are proof against this influence, and who in such circumstances can honor the ministry. […]
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| διὰ | dia | through | G1223 → | 664 times |
| δόξης | doxes | glory | G1391 → | 165 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἀτιμίας, | atimias | dishonor, | G819 → | |
| διὰ | dia | through | G1223 → | 664 times |
| δυσφημίας | dusphemias | bad report | G1426 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| εὐφημίας, | euphemias | good report, | G2162 → | |
| ὡς | hos | as | G5613 → | 500 times |
| πλάνοι | planoi | imposters | G4108 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and yet | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἀληθεῖς, | aletheis | true, | G227 → |
διὰthrough
diaG1223 →664 times
δόξηςglory
doxesG1391 →165 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἀτιμίας,dishonor,
atimiasG819 →
διὰthrough
diaG1223 →664 times
δυσφημίαςbad report
dusphemiasG1426 →
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
εὐφημίας,good report,
euphemiasG2162 →
ὡςas
hosG5613 →500 times
πλάνοιimposters
planoiG4108 →
καὶand yet
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἀληθεῖς,true,
aletheisG227 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Revelation 3:9Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know…
it leads to
- Isaiah 60:14
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy…
- Revelation 2:9
I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
- Isaiah 49:23
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD;…
- Isaiah 60:14
Through
1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
- Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
- Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
- 1 Peter 3:16
Through
Acts 24:5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
it leads to
- Acts 24:14
I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and…
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Acts 24:14
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 14 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Charles Spurgeon, My Grace Is Sufficient (and the 2 Corinthians sermons); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Letter 52; John Chrysostom, Homily 12 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, AN EXHORTATION TO MARTYRDOM 43; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.