4 But in all things approving [1] ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Other Translations of 2 Corinthians 6:4

New International Version

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

English Standard Version

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

The Message

4 Our work as God's servants gets validated - or not - in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times;

New King James Version

4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

New Living Translation

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:4

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

(Read 2 Corinthians 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.

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, [2] in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

Other Translations of 2 Corinthians 6:5

New International Version

5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

English Standard Version

5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;

The Message

5 when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating;

New King James Version

5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;

New Living Translation

5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:5

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

(Read 2 Corinthians 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.