2 Corinthians 6:9

Verse

as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;

American Standard Version (1901)

as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death;

Douay-Rheims 1899

As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed;

Free Bible Version

We are disregarded, even though we are well-known; given up for dead, but we're still alive; lashed, but not killed.

Geneva Bible 1599

As vnknowen, and yet knowen: as dying, and beholde, we liue: as chastened, and yet not killed:

King James (Authorized) Version

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

Translation for Translators

Some people know well that we are true servants of God, and yet others, who know us, refuse to believe that. People have often tried to kill us (inc), yet we are still alive. We have often been beaten, but we have not been killed {People have often beaten us (exc), but they have not killed us}.

Unlocked Literal Bible

We work as if we were unknown and we are still well known. We work as dying and—see!—we are still living. We work as being punished for our actions but not as condemned to death.

Noah Webster Bible

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

World English Bible

as unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold—we live, as punished and not killed,

Young's Literal Translation

as unknown, and recognized; as dying, and lo, we live; as chastened, and not put to death;

Context

Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

⁸through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;⁹as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;¹⁰sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Summary

This verse highlights the paradoxical nature of the Christian life, where believers experience both hardships and blessings. Despite facing challenges such as persecution, sorrow, and poverty, followers of Christ are spiritually rich, joyful, and secure in their salvation. The verse encourages perseverance and faith in God's provision, reminding believers that their present struggles are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits them. It underscores the idea that God's grace sustains His people through trials, enabling them to overcome adversity with hope and confidence.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

As unknown - Persons who are to be suspected as harbouring dark designs; persons of neither birth, parentage, nor respectable connections in life; And yet well known - Proved by our whole conduct to have no such designs, and demonstrated to be holy, upright, and useful, by the whole train of our peregrinations, through which we can be readily traced from place to place; having preached openly, and done nothing in a corner. As dying - Through continual dangers, fatigues, and persecutions; And, behold, we live - We are preserved by the mighty power of God in the greatest dangers and deaths. As chastened - As though we were disobedient children; And not killed - Though we continue in the very same line of conduct that is supposed to bring on us those chastisements, and which, if it were criminal, would justly expose us to death for incorrigible obstinacy; but our preservation is a proof that we please God.

John Gill Bible Commentary

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing,.... As to their outward appearance they are sorrowful, and oftentimes really so on account of sin, their own and others, by reason of afflictions, temporal and spiritual; and as to the state and condition of the church of Christ, and the interest of religion: and yet always rejoicing; not in themselves, or in any creature, but in the Lord, in the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ, and salvation by him. As poor, yet making many rich. It is, generally speaking, the lot of Christ's ministers to be poor in this world; and there are some reasons for it, why it is, and should be so; as that they might be maintained by the people, which is the ordinance of God; that it might appear that Christ's kingdom is not of this world; that the faith of men might not stand in the riches of the world, but in the power of God; that ministers might not be above their work, nor neglect it, nor drop it; and that they might not be ensnared and encumbered with the things of life. And yet making many rich: are instruments in making many souls rich in things spiritual; by showing them their spiritual poverty, stripping them of what they trusted in, and valued themselves upon; directing them where true riches are, and furnishing them with spiritual knowledge, with the knowledge of things more worth than thousands of gold and silver. As having nothing, and yet possessing all things; for the apostles left all for Christ, were sent out bare by him; what they had they gave away, and were very destitute of worldly enjoyments: "and possessing all things"; they had food and raiment, with which they were content, what was sufficient for them, and which they had in mercy, and with a blessing; and then they enjoyed all spiritual good things; they had not only a right unto them, but were possessed of them; they had all things pertaining to life and godliness; they had Christ, and all things with him, and therefore could say as Jacob did, that they had enough, yea, that they had all things.

2 Corinthians 6:9

Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;

American Standard Version (1901)

as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

Bible in Basic English

Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death;

Douay-Rheims 1899

As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed;

Free Bible Version

We are disregarded, even though we are well-known; given up for dead, but we're still alive; lashed, but not killed.

Geneva Bible 1599

As vnknowen, and yet knowen: as dying, and beholde, we liue: as chastened, and yet not killed:

King James (Authorized) Version

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

We work as if we were unknown and we are still well known. We work as dying and—see!—we are still living. We work as being punished for our actions but not as condemned to death.

Noah Webster Bible

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

World English Bible

as unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold—we live, as punished and not killed,

Young's Literal Translation

as unknown, and recognized; as dying, and lo, we live; as chastened, and not put to death;

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

2 Corinthians 6:9

Verse

Context

Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

2 Corinthians 6:9

Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary