God’s Word Translation
2 Corinthians 6:4
4Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things: suffering, distress, anxiety,
2 Corinthians 6:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
- New International Version (NIV)Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
- English Standard Version (ESV)but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
- New King James Version (NKJV)But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
Context of 2 Corinthians 6:4
2God says, “At the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation I helped you.” Listen, now is God’s acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation! 3We don’t give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things: suffering, distress, anxiety, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and lack of food. 6⌞People can see⌟ our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit’s presence ⌞in our lives⌟, our sincere love,
Read all of 2 Corinthians 62 Corinthians 6:4 word by word
ἀλλ᾽ ἐν παντὶ συνιστάντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Butἀλλάalla · butG235
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- approvingσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
- ourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- the ministersδιάκονοςdiakonos · servantG1249
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- patienceὑπομονήhupomonē · perseveranceG5281
- afflictionsθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
- necessitiesἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
- distressesστενοχωρίαstenochōria · hardshipG4730
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 6:4
- 2 Corinthians 2:17At least we don’t go around selling an impure word of God like many others. The opposite is true. As Christ’s spokesmen and in God’s presence, we speak the pure message that comes from God.
- 2 Corinthians 7:11When you became distressed in a godly way, look at how much devotion it caused you to have. You were ready to clear yourselves of the charges against you. You were disgusted with the wrong that had been done. You were afraid. You wanted to see us. You wanted to show your concern for us. You were ready to punish the wrong that had been done. In every way you have demonstrated that you are people who are innocent in this matter.
- Acts 2:22“Men of Israel, listen to what I say: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God brought to your attention. You know that through this man God worked miracles, did amazing things, and gave signs.
- Romans 14:18The person who serves Christ with this in mind is pleasing to God and respected by people.
- Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, a true Christian. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.
- 1 Corinthians 9:11If we have planted the spiritual seed that has been of benefit to you, is it too much if we receive part of the harvest from your earthly goods?
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3When we encouraged you, we didn’t use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception.
- 1 Timothy 2:15However, she ⌞and all women⌟ will be saved through the birth of the child, if they lead respectable lives in faith, love, and holiness.
- 2 Corinthians 4:2Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don’t use tricks, and we don’t distort God’s word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone. This is our ⌞letter of⌟ recommendation.
- Romans 5:8Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6He has also qualified us to be ministers of a new promise, a spiritual promise, not a written one. Clearly, what was written brings death, but the Spirit brings life.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they Christ’s servants? It’s insane to say it, but I’m a far better one. I’ve done much more work, been in prison many more times, been beaten more severely, and have faced death more often.
- Isaiah 61:6You will be called the priests of the Lord. You will be called the servants of our God. You will consume the wealth of the nations. You will boast in their splendor.
- Joel 1:9Grain offerings and wine offerings are no longer brought to the Lord’s temple. The priests, the Lord’s servants, mourn.
- Joel 2:17The priests who serve the Lord cry between the altar and the entrance to the temple. They say, “Spare your people, O Lord. Don’t let the people who belong to you become a disgrace. Don’t let the nations ridicule them. Why should people ask, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
- 1 Corinthians 3:5Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? They are servants who helped you come to faith. Each did what the Lord gave him to do.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 6:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4But 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 - . This may…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4But 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-10Paul provides a clear picture of the challenges in his ministry (compare 4:7–18). He lists nine trials, many of which are recorded in Acts (for example, Acts 14:5–6, 19–20; 16:19–24; 21:30–36). Through their unwavering suffering for the good news, Paul and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) proved they were true ministers of God.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. 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…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 6:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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