4 but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,
The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,
wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses -- for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;
who also made us sufficient `to be' ministrants of a new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit; for the letter doth kill, and the spirit doth make alive.
Who, then, is Paul, and who Apollos, but ministrants through whom ye did believe, and to each as the Lord gave?
not that in respect of want I say `it', for I did learn in the things in which I am -- to be content; I have known both to be abased, and I have known to abound; in everything and in all things I have been initiated, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and do fill up the things lacking of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the assembly,
for our exhortation `is' not out of deceit, nor out of uncleanness, nor in guile, but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who is proving our hearts, for at no time did we come with speech of flattery, (as ye have known,) nor in a pretext for covetousness, (God `is' witness!) nor seeking of men glory, neither from you nor from others, being able to be burdensome, as Christ's apostles. But we became gentle in your midst, as a nurse may cherish her own children, so being desirous of you, we are well-pleased to impart to you not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because beloved ye have become to us, for ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail, for, night and day working not to be a burden upon any of you, we did preach to you the good news of God; ye `are' witnesses -- God also -- how kindly and righteously, and blamelessly to you who believe we became, even as ye have known, how each one of you, as a father his own children, we are exhorting you, and comforting, and testifying,
and did send Timotheus -- our brother, and a ministrant of God, and our fellow-workman in the good news of the Christ -- to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith, that no one be moved in these tribulations, for yourselves have known that for this we are set,
because of this we were comforted, brethren, over you, in all our tribulation and necessity, through your faith,
and she shall be saved through the child-bearing, if they remain in faith, and love, and sanctification, with sobriety.
These things placing before the brethren, thou shalt be a good ministrant of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, which thou didst follow after,
therefore thou mayest not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but do thou suffer evil along with the good news according to the power of God,
and a servant of the Lord it behoveth not to strive, but to be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient under evil,
And thou -- thou hast followed after my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, endurance, the persecutions, the afflictions, that befel me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of all the Lord did deliver me, and all also who will to live piously in Christ Jesus shall be persecuted,
And thou -- watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,
Therefore, we also having so great a cloud of witnesses set around us, every weight having put off, and the closely besetting sin, through endurance may we run the contest that is set before us,
Be patient, then, brethren, till the presence of the Lord; lo, the husbandman doth expect the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it, till he may receive rain -- early and latter; be patient, ye also; establish your hearts, because the presence of the Lord hath drawn nigh; murmur not against one another, brethren, that ye may not be condemned; lo, the Judge before the door hath stood. An example take ye of the suffering of evil, my brethren, and of the patience, the prophets who did speak in the name of the Lord;
I, John, who also `am' your brother, and fellow-partner in the tribulation, and in the reign and endurance, of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God, and because of the testimony of Jesus Christ;
`Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial that is about to come upon all the world, to try those dwelling upon the earth.
Cut off hath been present and libation from the house of Jehovah, Mourned have the priests, ministrants of Jehovah.
Between the porch and the altar weep let the priests, ministrants of Jehovah, And let them say: `Have pity, O Jehovah, on Thy people, And give not Thy inheritance to reproach, To the ruling over them of nations, Why do they say among peoples, Where `is' their God?'
`Men, Israelites! hear these words, Jesus the Nazarene, a man approved of God among you by mighty works, and wonders, and signs, that God did through him in the midst of you, according as also ye yourselves have known;
for I will shew him how many things it behoveth him for My name to suffer.'
save that the Holy Spirit in every city doth testify fully, saying, that for me bonds and tribulations remain; but I make account of none of these, neither do I count my life precious to myself, so that I finish my course with joy, and the ministration that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify fully the good news of the grace of God.
and ye yourselves know that to my necessities, and to those who were with me, minister did these hands;
And not only `so', but we also boast in the tribulations, knowing that the tribulation doth work endurance; and the endurance, experience; and the experience, hope;
Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (according as it hath been written -- `For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long, we were reckoned as sheep of slaughter,')
for he who in these things is serving the Christ, `is' acceptable to God and approved of men.
Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God,
unto the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and wander about, and labour, working with `our' own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer;
for we are not as the many, adulterating the word of God, but as of sincerity -- but as of God; in the presence of God, in Christ we do speak.
but did renounce for ourselves the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully using the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth recommending ourselves unto every conscience of men, before God;
for, lo, this same thing -- your being made sorry toward God -- how much diligence it doth work in you! but defence, but displeasure, but fear, but longing desire, but zeal, but revenge; in every thing ye did approve yourselves to be pure in the matter.
and being present with you, and having been in want, I was chargeable to no one, for my lack did the brethren supply -- having come from Macedonia -- and in everything burdenless to you I did keep myself, and will keep.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 6
In this chapter the apostle gives an account of his general errand to all to whom he preached; with the several arguments and methods he used (v. 1-10). Then he addresses himself particularly to the Corinthians, giving them good cautions with great affection and strong arguments (v. 11-18).
2Cr 6:1-10
In these verses we have an account of the apostle's general errand and exhortation to all to whom he preached in every place where he came, with the several arguments and methods he used. Observe,
2Cr 6:11-18
The apostle proceeds to address himself more particularly to the Corinthians, and cautions them against mingling with unbelievers. Here observe,