2 Corinthians 6:3–5

2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 6

Paul’s Ministry in the Midst of Difficulties. 2 Cor. 6, 1–10.

The example of Paul in the midst of difficulties: V.3. Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; v.4. but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, v.5. in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings.

Paul here sets forth his own example, partly in vindication of his own conduct, partly with the intention of stimulating emulation. He conducts himself so that he gives no one an occasion for stumbling, since any deliberate act of that kind would have reacted upon the gospel. He could not indeed hinder the self-righteous and self-conceited from taking offense at the Word of the Cross and blaspheming both the office and its ministers, 1 Corinthians 4, 12. 13.

But he made use of the most untiring vigilance in doctrine and life, lest someone should find a reason for censuring him; he took heed to himself in the most scrupulous manner, lest on his account someone should stumble and fall.

The apostle now speaks of the distinctive characteristics of his apostolic office in detail: But in all things commending ourselves as God’s servants do, He acted so conscientiously in all things pertaining to his office and to his whole life that his boast of proving his worth was not too strong. He and his fellow-workers were examples of all that was good in their office as well as in their daily conduct.

As it was appropriate for the ministers of God, their whole life was a testimony to the office with which they had been entrusted. This was true, first of all, in the enduring of outward hardships. They did their work in great patience, in determined perseverance, in steadfast calmness, since this was necessary for enduring and conquering the peculiar difficulties which they were obliged to encounter. They worked in afflictions occasioned by the hatred of their enemies; in distresses, in various troubles which fall to the lot of the persecuted; in straits of perplexities, from which there seemed to be no escape, which left them at a loss as to how they might proceed.

The enemies of the gospel also succeeded in making their enmity felt in the person of Paul, in stripes, when he was beaten, Acts 22, 24; in imprisonments, Acts 16, 24; in tumults, when the people did not wait for the judgment of the authorities, but aroused the rabble in a demonstration against the person and work of the Christian teachers, Acts 13, 50; 14, 5. 19; 16, 22; 17, 5; 18, 12.

He was troubled also in hard labors, both in preaching the Gospel and in supporting himself while so doing, making his body weary and sapping his strength, 1 Cor. 15, 10; Acts 20, 26; in watchings, many a sleepless night being credited to his account, since he was active day and night, Acts 20, 7. 31, in behalf of the souls entrusted to him; in fastings, which he undertook voluntarily, partly as a fine outward training, Acts 14, 23, partly to keep his body in subjection, 1 Cor. 9, 27, partly also to strengthen his body for the endurance of hardships, chap. 11, 27.

What an example for all ministers of all times! And how earnestly does this account rebuke the superficiality and externalism of many modern Christians!