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2 Corinthians 6:3

2 Corinthians 6:3 in Multiple Translations

We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;

Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work;

We don't put anything in anyone's way that would trip them up, making sure the work we do won't be criticized.

We giue no occasion of offence in any thing, that our ministerie shoulde not be reprehended.

in nothing giving any cause of offence, that the ministration may be not blamed,

We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,

Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not blamed:

Neither I nor the men working with me do anything that would hinder people from trusting in Christ, and so we cannot be accused {no one can accuse us} of not serving God properly.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 6:3

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2 Corinthians 6:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK μηδεμιαν εν μηδενι διδοντες προσκοπην ινα μη μωμηθη η διακονια
μηδεμιαν mēdeis G3367 nothing Adj-ASF-N
εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep
μηδενι mēdeis G3367 nothing Adj-DSN-N
διδοντες didōmi G1325 to give Verb-PAP-NPM
προσκοπην proskopē G4349 stumbling Noun-ASF
ινα hina G2443 in order that/to Conj
μη G3361 not Particle-N
μωμηθη mōmaomai G3469 to criticize Verb-APS-3S
η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF
διακονια diakonia G1248 service Noun-NSF
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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 6:3

μηδεμιαν mēdeis G3367 "nothing" Adj-ASF-N
Means nothing or no one, used in the Bible to emphasize the absence of something, like in Matthew 16:20 where Jesus tells his disciples to tell no one about him.
Definition: μηδείς, -δεμία, -δέν (and -θέν, Act.27:33, a Hellenistic form; see Bl., 6, 7; Thackeray, Gr., 58) related to οὐδείς as μή to οὐ, no, none, no one; neut., nothing: Mat.16:20, Mrk.5:43 6:8, Luk.3:14, Act.8:24, Rom.13:8, al.; with genitive, Act.4:17 24:23; neut. accusative, μηδέν, adverbially, in no respect, Act.10:20 11:12; as accusative obj. after verb, βλάπτειν, Luk.4:35; ὠφελεῖσθαι, Mrk.5:26; ὑστερεῖν, 2Co.11:5; μεριμνᾶν, Php.4:6; in double negation, strengthening the denial, μηκέτι μ., Mrk.11:14, Act.4:17; μὴ . . . μηδέν (μηδένα, μηδεμίαν), 2Co.13:7, 2Th.2:3, 1Pe.3:6 μηθείς, see. μηδείς (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 88 NT verses. KJV: any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; Acts 28:6; 1 Peter 3:6.
εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep
This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.
Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.
μηδενι mēdeis G3367 "nothing" Adj-DSN-N
Means nothing or no one, used in the Bible to emphasize the absence of something, like in Matthew 16:20 where Jesus tells his disciples to tell no one about him.
Definition: μηδείς, -δεμία, -δέν (and -θέν, Act.27:33, a Hellenistic form; see Bl., 6, 7; Thackeray, Gr., 58) related to οὐδείς as μή to οὐ, no, none, no one; neut., nothing: Mat.16:20, Mrk.5:43 6:8, Luk.3:14, Act.8:24, Rom.13:8, al.; with genitive, Act.4:17 24:23; neut. accusative, μηδέν, adverbially, in no respect, Act.10:20 11:12; as accusative obj. after verb, βλάπτειν, Luk.4:35; ὠφελεῖσθαι, Mrk.5:26; ὑστερεῖν, 2Co.11:5; μεριμνᾶν, Php.4:6; in double negation, strengthening the denial, μηκέτι μ., Mrk.11:14, Act.4:17; μὴ . . . μηδέν (μηδένα, μηδεμίαν), 2Co.13:7, 2Th.2:3, 1Pe.3:6 μηθείς, see. μηδείς (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 88 NT verses. KJV: any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; Acts 28:6; 1 Peter 3:6.
διδοντες didōmi G1325 "to give" Verb-PAP-NPM
To give, as seen in Matthew 4:9 and John 1:12, means to bestow or grant something to someone, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice, like God giving his only son in John 3:16
Definition: δίδωμι, [in LXX chiefly for נָתַן (53 words in all) ;] to give—in various senses, accusative to context—bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, yield: absol., Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.4:9 5:31, Jhn.1:12, al. mult.; with dative of person(s), before ἐκ, Mat.25:8; id. with genitive part.. Rev.2:17; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.3:16, Rev.20:13, al.; δεξιάς, Gal.2:9; φίλημα, Luk.7:45; γνῶσιν, Luk.1:77; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:22; of seed yielding fruit, Mrk.4:7, 8; ἐργασίαν (Deiss., LAE, 117f.), Luk.12:58; with inf. fin., Mat.27:34, Mrk.5:43, Luk.8:55, Jhn.6:52, al.; with dative of person(s) and inf., Luk.1:74, al.; with accusative and inf., Act.2:27, Rev.3:9; with dupl. accusative, Mat.20:28, Mrk.10:45, Eph.1:22 4:11, 2Th.3:9, 1Ti.2:6, al.; ἑαυτὸν δ. εἰς (Polyb., al.), Act.19:31; with dative of person(s), before κατά (MM, Exp., xi), Rev.2:28 (LXX); δ. ἵνα, Rev.3:9; δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην, Rev.3:8. SYN.: δωρέομαι. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 380 NT verses. KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:21.
προσκοπην proskopē G4349 "stumbling" Noun-ASF
Stumbling refers to the act of sinning or turning away from God, often due to an obstacle or challenge. In 2 Corinthians 6:3, Paul tries to avoid giving offense to others. It involves a misstep or mistake that can lead to spiritual harm.
Definition: προσκοπή, -ῆς, ή (προσκόπτω), [in Gr. Ven.: Pro.16:18 (כִּשָּׁלוֹן) * ;] an occasion of stumbling, offence: 2Co.6:3.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: offence See also: 2 Corinthians 6:3.
ινα hina G2443 "in order that/to" Conj
This word means 'in order that' or 'to', showing purpose or result, as seen in Acts 19:4 and Romans 11:31. It's used to express a goal or outcome. In Ephesians 1:17, it's used to describe a purpose.
Definition: ἵνα, __I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), __1. of place, where, whither. __2. of circumstance, when. __II. Conjunction, __1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); __(a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); __(b) with subjc.: after a pres., Mrk.4:21, Luk.6:34, Jhn.3:15, Act.2:25, Rom.1:11, al.; after a pf., Mat.1:22, Jhn.5:23 1Co.9:22, al.; after an imperat. (present or aor.), Mat.7:1, Mrk.11:25, Jhn.10:38, 1Co.7:5, al.; after a delib. subjc., Mrk.1:38, al.; after a fut., Luk.16:4, Jhn.14:3, 1Co.15:28, al.; after historic tenses (where optative in cl.; WM, 359f.; M, Pr., 196f.), Mrk.6:41 (impf.), Jhn.4:8 (plpf.), Mrk.3:14 (aor.), al.; __(with) in late writers (M, Pr., 35; Burton, §§198, 199), with indic., fut: Luk.20:10, 1Pe.3:1, al.; __(d) as often in eccl. writers (Thayer, see word), with indic. pres.: 1Co.4:6, Gal.4:17, al. (?; but V. Burton, §198, Rem.); __(e) εἰς (διὰ) τοῦτο, ἵνα: Jhn.18:37, 1Ti.1:16, al.; τούτου χάριν, Tit.1:5; __(f) elliptical constructions: omission of the principal verb, Jhn.1:8, 2Th.3:9, 1Jn.2:19, al.; of the final verb, Rom.4:16, 2Co.8:13, al. __2. In late writers, definitive, = inf. (WM, 420; Bl, §69, 1), that; __(a) after verbs of wishing, caring, striving, etc.: θέλω, Mat.7:12, al.; ζητῶ, 1Co.4:2 14:12; ζηλόω, 1Co.14:1, al.; __(b) after verbs of saying, asking, exhorting: εἰπεῖν, Mat.4:3, al.; ἐρωτῶ, Mrk.7:26, al.; παρακαλῶ, Mat.14:36, 1Co.1:10, al., etc.; __(with) after words expressing expediency, etc.: συμφέρει, Mat.18:6, Jhn.11:50, al.; ἱκανός, Mat.8:8, Luk.7:6; χρείαν ἔχω, Jhn.2:25, al, etc.; __(d) after substantives, adding further definition: ὥρα, Jhn.12:23 13:1; χρόνος, Rev.2:21; συνήθεια, Jhn.18:39; μισθός, 1Co.9:18. __3. In late writers, ecbatic, denoting the result, = ὥστε, that, so that (M, Pr., 206ff.; WM, 572; Bl., §69, 3; Burton, §223): Rom.11:11, 1Co.7:29, 1Th.5:4, al. (but see Thayer, see word); so with the formula referring to the fulfilment of prophecy, ἵνα πληρωθῇ, Mat.1:22 2:14, Jhn.13:18, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 626 NT verses. KJV: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Timothy 5:20; 1 Peter 1:7.
μη G3361 "not" Particle-N
Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.
Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.
μωμηθη mōmaomai G3469 "to criticize" Verb-APS-3S
To criticize or find fault with someone, like the way the Corinthians were blamed in 2 Corinthians 6:3. It means to speak badly of or discredit someone.
Definition: μωμάομαι, -ῶμαι (μῶμος), poët. and late prose, [in LXX: Pro.9:7 (מאוּם), Wis.10:14, Sir.31:18 * ;] to find fault with, blame: 2Co.8:20; pass., 2Co.6:3.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: blame See also: 2 Corinthians 6:3; 2 Corinthians 8:20.
η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
διακονια diakonia G1248 "service" Noun-NSF
Service refers to the work of helping others, like the ministry of the Christian church, as seen in Acts 6:1. It is about using one's skills to benefit others.
Definition: διακονία, -ας, ἡ (διάκονος), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi.: Est.6:3, Est.6:5 A; 1Ma.11:58 * ;] the office and work of a διάκονος, service, ministry; __(a) of domestic duties (Field, Notes, 63): Luk.10:40 __(b) spec. of religious ministration, and the exercise of ministerial functions in the Church: Act.1:17, 25 6:1, 4 11:29 12:25 20:24; 21:19, Rom.11:13 12:7 15:31, 1Co.16:15, 2Co.4:1 6:3 8:4 9:1, 13, Eph.4:12, Col.4:17, 1Ti.1:12, 2Ti.4:5, 11, Heb.1:14, Rev.2:19; δ. τ. θανάτου, 2Co.3:7; τ. πνεύματος, 2Co. 3:8; τ. κατακρίσεως, τ, δικαιοσύνης, 2Co. 3:9; τ. καταλλαγῆς, 2Co. 5:18; τ. λειτουργίας, 2Co. 9:12; with obj. genitive, τὴν ὑμῶν δ., ib. 11:8; pl., 1Co.12:5.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 32 NT verses. KJV: (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing) See also: 1 Corinthians 12:5; Acts 1:17; Hebrews 1:14.

Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 6:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
2 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
3 Matthew 17:27 “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”
4 1 Corinthians 10:32–33 Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God— as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
5 1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
6 Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7 2 Corinthians 8:20 We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
8 1 Corinthians 8:9–13 Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.
9 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.
10 2 Corinthians 1:12 And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

2 Corinthians 6:3 Summary

This verse means that as followers of Jesus, we should try to live in a way that doesn't get in the way of others coming to know Him. We should strive to be good examples and not do anything that would make people think badly of our ministry or the gospel. This is in line with what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, to let our light shine before others, and with the apostle Paul's encouragement in Philippians 2:15, to shine as stars in the world. By living with integrity and being mindful of our actions, we can help to spread the gospel and bring credit to our ministry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to put no obstacle in anyone's way?

This means that as ministers of the gospel, we should strive to live in such a way that our behavior does not hinder the spread of the gospel or bring discredit to our ministry, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:3, and is in line with the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:16 to let our light shine before others.

How can we ensure that our ministry is not discredited?

We can ensure this by living a life of integrity, being truthful and transparent in all our dealings, and being mindful of our actions and their impact on others, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:9 and Ephesians 4:1-3.

What is the relationship between our behavior and the effectiveness of our ministry?

Our behavior has a direct impact on the effectiveness of our ministry, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:3, and as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:13-14, where He emphasizes the importance of being salt and light in the world.

How can we apply this verse in our daily lives?

We can apply this verse by being mindful of our actions and their impact on others, and striving to live in a way that honors God and brings credit to our ministry, as seen in Colossians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some potential obstacles that I might be putting in the way of others, and how can I remove them?
  2. How can I ensure that my behavior is consistent with the message of the gospel, and that I am not bringing discredit to my ministry?
  3. What are some ways that I can commend myself as a servant of God, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:4, and how can I demonstrate endurance and faithfulness in the face of challenges?
  4. How can I balance the need to be sensitive to the concerns of others with the need to stand firm in my convictions and values, as taught in Romans 12:18 and 1 Peter 3:15-16?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 6:3

Giving no offence in anything,.... These words are in connection with 2 Corinthians 6:1 and to be considered either as a continuation of the exhortation to others, that they would take care to give

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 6:3

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: Resuming the connection, 2 Corinthians 6:1, interrupted by the parenthetical 2 Corinthians 6:2. "Giving no offence" (cf.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:3

Giving no offence in any thing: to give no offence signifies, to avoid all actions which may be occasion of spiritual stumbling unto others, i.e. to make them to sin against God, or estrange their hearts from Christ, and the owning and profession of his gospel. These words may be understood as a general precept given to all Christians; so it agreeth with ,32; or (which the following verses seem most to favour) as referring to himself and Timothy, and other ministers of the gospel; like true pastors of the church of Christ, going out before the flock, and showing in their example what they ought to be. That the ministry be not blamed; the ministry here may either signify the office of the ministry, or the subject of it, the gospel, which, , is called the ministry of reconciliation: not only the office of the ministry, but the gospel itself, suffereth by the scandalous conversation of ministers and private Christians; ignorant persons being not able, or not willing, to distinguish between the faults of persons and the faults of a doctrine or office.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:3

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: Ver. 3. Giving no offence] A minister should be as Absalom was, without blemish from head to foot. His fruit should be, as that of Paradise, fair to the eye and sweet to the taste. A small fault is soon seen in him, and easily either imitated or upbraided. God appointed both the weights and measures of the sanctuary to be twice as large as those of the commonwealth.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:3

(3) Giving no offence . . .—The participial construction is resumed from 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2 Corinthians 6:2 being treated as parenthetical. A subtle distinction in the two forms of the Greek negative suggests the thought that he is here giving, as it were, his own estimate of his aim and endeavour in his work. He avoids all occasion of offence, not because he fears censure for himself, but that “the ministry be not blamed.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:3

Verse 3. Giving no offence] The word προσκοπη, read προσκομμα, Romans 14:13, signifies a stumbling block in general, or any thing over which a man stumbles or falls; and here means any transgression or scandal that might take place among the ministers, or the Christians themselves, whereby either Jews or Gentiles might take occasion of offence, and vilify the Gospel of Christ.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 6:3

3. Giving no offence in any thing] This verse is closely connected in sense with v, 1. St Paul now enters upon a long passage in which he shews how the ‘ministry of reconciliation’ is practically carried on. The demeanour of the Apostles towards those among whom they preached the Gospel is as forcible a mode of proclaiming the reconciliation as their words. Yet he has not lost sight of the vindication of himself, which runs through the whole Epistle. You may judge for yourself, he is saying in effect, whether this be the conduct to expect from one charged with such a mission.offence] The Greek word is derived from a verb signifying to dash to the ground, and signifies, therefore, anything which causes one to fall.the ministry] i.e. of reconciliation. See above.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 6:3

Giving no offence in anything - We the ministers of God, 2 Corinthians 6:1. The word rendered “offence” means, properly, stumbling; then offence, or cause of offence, a falling into sin.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:3

6. Such appeals to men for reconciliation are sustained by a living example of purity amid calumny, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10.3.

Sermons on 2 Corinthians 6:3

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen (2 Corinthians) ch.5:10-6:2 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the concept of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ and being rewarded for our deeds. He emphasizes the importance of realizing this
Zac Poonen (2 Corinthians) ch.6:3-7:5 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the letter of Paul to the Corinthians as an autobiography of Paul's inner life. The speaker emphasizes the importance of genuine love and spe
Zac Poonen Through the Bible - 2 Corinthians - Part 2 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the qualities and characteristics of the apostle Paul as a servant of God. He emphasizes that Paul was called by God and had a deep love for
George Verwer Suffering in the Work of God by George Verwer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of paying attention to certain chapters in the Bible that contain significant teachings. The speaker also expresses a burden f
Tim Conway Homiletics: The Preacher's Holiness - Part 3 by Tim Conway This sermon emphasizes the importance of holiness and piety in the life of a preacher, highlighting the direct connection between personal purity and the power of God in preaching.
Leonard Ravenhill What Is Your Vision? by Leonard Ravenhill Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the critical need for ministers to have a vision rooted in eternity rather than the immediate, urging them to reflect on their responsibilities and the
Zac Poonen Be an Ambassador of Jesus Christ by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen emphasizes that Paul exemplified the role of an Ambassador of Jesus Christ, highlighting twelve essential marks that should characterize every believer's life. These inc

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