2 Corinthians 6:4
Verse
Context
Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace
3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;5in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
Sermons
Zac PoonenZac Poonen
Chuck Smith
A.W. Tozer
Keith Malcomson
Miles J. Stanford
Thomas ReadeSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But 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 - Εν θλιψεσιν. This may signify the series of persecutions and distresses in general; the state of cruel suffering in which the Church of God and the apostles then existed. In necessities - Εν αναγκαις· Straits and difficulties; including all that want and affliction which arose from the impoverished state of the Church. In distresses - Εν στενοχωριαις. Such straits and difficulties as were absolutely unavoidable and insurmountable. The word implies, being reduced to a narrow place, driven to a corner, hemmed in on every side, as the Israelites were at the Red Sea; the sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and Egyptian fortresses on either hand. God alone could bring them out of such difficulties, when their enemies themselves saw that the wilderness had shut them in. So was it often with the apostles; all human help failed, and their deliverance came from God alone.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 Co2 3:1, he implies, We commend ourselves, not like them by word, but by deed. patience-- (Co2 12:12). Put first. "Pure-minded" follows (Co2 6:6). Three triplets of trials exercising the "patience" (patient endurance) follow: Afflictions (or "tribulations"), necessities, distresses (or "straits"); stripes, imprisonments, tumults; labors, watchings, fastings. The first triplet expresses afflictions generally; the second, those in particular arising from the violence of men; the third, those which he brought on himself directly or indirectly.
John Gill Bible Commentary
In stripes,.... As the Apostle Paul particularly was, who was thrice beaten with rods, and five times scourged by the Jews with the scourge of forty stripes save one. In imprisonments; under which are included bonds, in which they often were for the Gospel of Christ: in tumults; and uproars of the people, when their lives were frequently in imminent danger: or "in tossings to and fro"; being drove from place to place through the fury of their enemies; in labours; in a laborious ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances; or by labouring with their own hands to supply their necessities: in watchings; being obliged to work night and day at their hand labour, and in preaching, praying, and singing psalms; which exercises they were often employed in at midnight: in fastings; by which are meant not voluntary, but involuntary ones, through want of food to eat.
2 Corinthians 6:4
Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace
3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;5in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
7 Things to Do Always
By Zac Poonen2.1K58:01GEN 3:6MAT 6:332CO 6:4PHP 4:4COL 4:61TH 5:17HEB 4:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for believers to have a genuine and costly service for God. He points out that many people have a mindset of wanting to get as much as possible for free, but this leads to spiritual poverty. The speaker also highlights the importance of prayer, stating that Scripture instructs us to pray always, rather than specifying a certain amount of time to pray each day. Additionally, the speaker encourages believers to rejoice always, even in difficult circumstances, and to speak with grace and seasoned with salt in their interactions with loved ones.
Ambassadors for Christ - Part 2
By Zac Poonen1.8K56:01Evangelism1SA 12:22CO 1:42CO 5:162CO 6:42CO 6:82CO 11:26In this sermon, the speaker focuses on several key points from the book of 2 Corinthians. Firstly, he highlights how Paul commended himself as a servant of God in all situations, whether in endurance, affliction, or even when honored. The speaker emphasizes the importance of behaving as a servant of God in both suffering and success. Secondly, the speaker discusses how Paul recognized the fear of God and the accountability that comes with it. He emphasizes that believers will one day stand at the judgment seat of Christ and give an account for everything done in their bodies. Lastly, the speaker mentions the example of John Wesley, who had a strong sense of accountability for his time and money, and encourages the audience to cultivate the same sense of accountability in their own lives.
(Through the Bible) 2 Corinthians 6
By Chuck Smith1.4K18:582CO 6:4In this sermon, the speaker discusses the characteristics and challenges of the ministry of preaching the word of God. He emphasizes the importance of ministers enduring mental and spiritual hardships with purity, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Ghost, and love unfeigned. The speaker also highlights the contrasts that exist within the ministry, such as being sorrowful yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, and having nothing yet possessing all things. He urges the listeners to be doers of the word and not just hearers, warning against self-deception. The sermon concludes with a call to be reconciled to God through the ministry of reconciliation and to work together with Jesus in spreading the grace of God.
Concepts of Spirituality
By A.W. Tozer0LUK 8:15LUK 21:19ROM 2:7ROM 5:3ROM 8:25ROM 15:42CO 1:62CO 6:4COL 1:111TH 1:3The preacher delves into the concept of perseverance (hupomone), emphasizing the importance of enduring under trials and difficulties with steadfastness and hope. Perseverance is not about passive acceptance but about triumphantly facing challenges, turning them into stepping stones for growth and glory. The sermon highlights various Bible verses that underscore the significance of perseverance in the Christian life, pointing out that it is the Spirit's power within believers that enables them to endure and bear fruit. The preacher encourages believers to run the race of faith with endurance, exulting in trials as they produce proven character and hope, ultimately leading to a deeper life in Christ.
Fasting
By Keith Malcomson0ISA 58:3DAN 9:3MAT 6:16MAT 17:21MRK 2:19LUK 18:11CO 3:162CO 6:4Keith Malcomson emphasizes the importance of fasting as a practice for Christians to abstain from food for a set purpose and period to pray in faith to God. The sermon delves into who should fast, when to fast, how to fast, what happens during fasting, and the different types of fasting mentioned in the Bible. It also explores the purposes of fasting, addressing common questions and concerns, and highlighting the significance of fasting in church history for spiritual growth, revival, and ministry effectiveness.
Truth Triumphant!
By Miles J. Stanford0JHN 14:6JHN 16:13JHN 18:372CO 6:41JN 4:6Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of maintaining divine truth in Christianity, highlighting the need for zeal for the purity of God's truth to match the zeal for the salvation of sinners. He warns against accommodating falsehoods and emphasizes that true love according to God upholds the truth, especially in the last days where the test of truth is the maintenance of it. Stanford stresses that the Holy Spirit, who pours the love of God into our hearts, is the Spirit of truth, and His role is to glorify Christ.
For the Sake of the Gospel
By Thomas Reade0PSA 91:4ISA 32:17DAN 7:13ROM 8:352CO 4:82CO 6:42CO 12:91PE 2:19Thomas Reade preaches about the persecutions endured by Paul for the sake of the Gospel, drawing parallels to the trials faced by Daniel and the early Christians. He emphasizes the inevitability of persecution for those devoted to Christ and the ultimate victory of the Kingdom of Christ over the powers of darkness. Reade highlights the selfless love and endurance displayed by Paul, encouraging believers to follow in his footsteps, enduring suffering and opposition with patience and faith. He reminds the congregation of the peace and strength found in Christ amidst trials, urging them to fix their eyes on God's will and glory, imitating the humility and perseverance of Paul in the face of adversity.
Enthusiasm + Discipline = Zeal
By Richard E. Bieber0MAT 5:4MAT 5:10LUK 5:15LUK 8:392CO 1:52CO 6:42CO 12:101PE 1:7Richard E. Bieber preaches about the transformation of enthusiasm into holy zeal after encountering Jesus. Enthusiasm, though beautiful, is not enough to sustain us through trials; it must be tempered into a lasting zeal. This zeal is demonstrated through discipline: divine guidance, refining circumstances, willed obedience, persecution, and inward pain, leading to a deep, God-given zeal that drives believers to serve tirelessly and endure hardships without losing faith.
Justification by Faith
By Billy Graham0MAT 18:7ROM 13:51CO 9:162CO 6:4HEB 7:12JUD 1:3Greek Word Studies for Distress (318) explores the concept of anagke, referring to various forms of necessity, compulsion, and distress brought on by external conditions or moral duty. The preacher delves into the dominant themes of trouble, hardship, and obligation found in different Bible verses, emphasizing the inner compulsion and outward pressures that influence our choices. Anagke is depicted as an inevitable force that can lead to suffering, afflictions, and the need for endurance, highlighting the divine constraints and moral responsibilities faced by believers.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But 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 - Εν θλιψεσιν. This may signify the series of persecutions and distresses in general; the state of cruel suffering in which the Church of God and the apostles then existed. In necessities - Εν αναγκαις· Straits and difficulties; including all that want and affliction which arose from the impoverished state of the Church. In distresses - Εν στενοχωριαις. Such straits and difficulties as were absolutely unavoidable and insurmountable. The word implies, being reduced to a narrow place, driven to a corner, hemmed in on every side, as the Israelites were at the Red Sea; the sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and Egyptian fortresses on either hand. God alone could bring them out of such difficulties, when their enemies themselves saw that the wilderness had shut them in. So was it often with the apostles; all human help failed, and their deliverance came from God alone.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 Co2 3:1, he implies, We commend ourselves, not like them by word, but by deed. patience-- (Co2 12:12). Put first. "Pure-minded" follows (Co2 6:6). Three triplets of trials exercising the "patience" (patient endurance) follow: Afflictions (or "tribulations"), necessities, distresses (or "straits"); stripes, imprisonments, tumults; labors, watchings, fastings. The first triplet expresses afflictions generally; the second, those in particular arising from the violence of men; the third, those which he brought on himself directly or indirectly.
John Gill Bible Commentary
In stripes,.... As the Apostle Paul particularly was, who was thrice beaten with rods, and five times scourged by the Jews with the scourge of forty stripes save one. In imprisonments; under which are included bonds, in which they often were for the Gospel of Christ: in tumults; and uproars of the people, when their lives were frequently in imminent danger: or "in tossings to and fro"; being drove from place to place through the fury of their enemies; in labours; in a laborious ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances; or by labouring with their own hands to supply their necessities: in watchings; being obliged to work night and day at their hand labour, and in preaching, praying, and singing psalms; which exercises they were often employed in at midnight: in fastings; by which are meant not voluntary, but involuntary ones, through want of food to eat.