2 Corinthians 6:4

New Century Version

But in every way we show we are servants of God: in accepting many hard things, in troubles, in difficulties, and in great problems.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties,

King James Version (1611)
But in all things approuing our selues, as the Ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

King James Version
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

English Standard Version
but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

New American Standard Bible
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,

Amplified Bible
but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,

New American Standard Bible (1995)
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

Legacy Standard Bible
but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God, in much perseverance, in afflictions, in distresses, in hardships,

Berean Standard Bible
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;

Contemporary English Version
But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times.

Complete Jewish Bible
On the contrary, we try to commend ourselves in every way as workers for God by continually enduring troubles, hardships, calamities,

Darby Translation
but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,

Easy-to-Read Version
But in every way we show that we are servants of God. We never give up, even though we face troubles, difficulties, and problems of every kind.

Geneva Bible (1587)
But in all things we approue our selues as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

George Lamsa Translation
But in all things let us show ourselves, to be the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in imprisonment,

Good News Translation
Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties.

Lexham English Bible
but commending ourselves as servants of God in every way, in much endurance, in afflictions, in distresses, in difficulties,

Literal Translation
but in everything commending ourselves as God's servants, in much patience, in afflictions, in emergencies, in difficulties,

American Standard Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Bible in Basic English
But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,

Hebrew Names Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

International Standard Version
Instead, in every way we demonstrate that we are God's servants by tremendous endurance in the midst of difficulties, hardships, and calamities;1 Corinthians 4:1;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
but in every thing will we demonstrate ourselves that we are the ministers of Aloha; by much patience, by afflictions, by necessity, by imprisonments,

Murdock Translation
But we, in all things, would show ourselves to be the ministers of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessity, in distresses,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But in all thynges let vs behaue our selues as ye ministers of God, in much pacience, in afflictions, in necessities, in anguisshes,

English Revised Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

World English Bible
but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
in much patience, in afflictions,

Weymouth's New Testament
On the contrary, as God's servants, we seek their full approval--by unwearied endurance, by afflictions, by distress, by helplessness;

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but in alle thingis yyue we vs silf as the mynystris of God, in myche pacience, in tribulaciouns,

Update Bible Version
but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Webster's Bible Translation
But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

New English Translation
But as God's servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,

New King James Version
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

New Living Translation
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

New Life Bible
Everything we do shows we are God's servants. We have had to wait and suffer. We have needed things. We have been in many hard places and have had many troubles.

New Revised Standard
but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, in everything, commending ourselves as God's ministers, - in much endurance, in tribulations, in necessities, in straits,

Douay-Rheims Bible
But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses,

Revised Standard Version
but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
but in all thynges let vs behave oure selves as the ministers of God. In moche pacience in afflicios in necessite in anguysshe

Young's Literal Translation
but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
but in all thinges let vs behaue oure selues as the mynisters of God: in moch pacience, in troubles, in necessities, in anguysshes,

Mace New Testament (1729)
but in all things I approve myself as the minister of God, by great constancy in afflictions, in torments, in distresses, from stripes,

Simplified Cowboy Version
In every single thing we do, we prove that we ride for the brand. Shoot, we don't even whine or complain about the hardships of the riding in the saddle.

Contextual Overview

¹ We are workers together with God, so we beg you: Do not let the grace that you received from God be for nothing. ² God says, "At the right time I heard your prayers. On the day of salvation I helped you." Isaiah 49:8 I tell you that the "right time" is now, and the "day of salvation" is now. ³ We do not want anyone to find fault with our work, so nothing we do will be a problem for anyone. ⁴ But in every way we show we are servants of God: in accepting many hard things, in troubles, in difficulties, and in great problems. ⁵ We are beaten and thrown into prison. We meet those who become upset with us and start riots. We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food. ⁶ We show we are servants of God by our pure lives, our understanding, patience, and kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by true love, ⁷ by speaking the truth, and by God's power. We use our right living to defend ourselves against everything. ⁸ Some people honor us, but others blame us. Some people say evil things about us, but others say good things. Some people say we are liars, but we speak the truth. ⁹ We are not known, but we are well known. We seem to be dying, but we continue to live. We are punished, but we are not killed. ¹⁰ We have much sadness, but we are always rejoicing. We are poor, but we are making many people rich in faith. We have nothing, but really we have everything.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in all: 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 7:11, Acts 2:22, Romans 14:18, Romans 16:10, 1 Corinthians 9:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:3-11, 1 Timothy 2:15

approving: Gr. commending, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Romans 5:8

as: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 11:23, Isaiah 61:6, Joel 1:9, Joel 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 1 Timothy 4:6

in much: 2 Corinthians 12:12, Luke 21:19, Romans 5:3, Romans 5:4, Colossians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 3:10, Hebrews 12:1, James 5:7-10, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 3:10

afflictions: 2 Corinthians 4:17, Acts 20:23, Acts 20:24, Colossians 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:11, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:5

necessities: 2 Corinthians 11:9, 2 Corinthians 11:27, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Acts 20:34, 1 Corinthians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 4:12, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:12

distresses: 2 Corinthians 4:8, Romans 8:35, Romans 8:36, 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:11 - true men Joel 1:13 - ye ministers Matthew 13:27 - the servants 1 Corinthians 2:3 - General 1 Corinthians 9:27 - I keep 2 Corinthians 5:12 - we 2 Corinthians 6:10 - poor 2 Corinthians 10:18 - approved 2 Corinthians 13:7 - approved 1 Timothy 4:12 - in word 2 Timothy 2:15 - a workman Titus 1:8 - sober 2 Peter 1:6 - patience

Cross-References

Genesis 6:15
This is how big I want you to build the boat: four hundred fifty feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high.

Genesis 6:20
Two of every kind of bird, animal, and crawling thing will come to you to be kept alive.

Genesis 6:21
Also gather some of every kind of food and store it on the boat as food for you and the animals."

Genesis 6:22
Noah did everything that God commanded him.

Genesis 11:4
Then they said to each other, "Let's build a city and a tower for ourselves, whose top will reach high into the sky. We will become famous. Then we will not be scattered over all the earth."

Numbers 13:33
We saw the Nephilim people there. (The Anakites come from the Nephilim people.) We felt like grasshoppers, and we looked like grasshoppers to them."

Numbers 16:2
These men gathered two hundred fifty other Israelite men, well-known leaders chosen by the community, and challenged Moses.

Deuteronomy 3:11
(Only Og king of Bashan was left of the few Rephaites. His bed was made of iron, and it was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide! It is still in the Ammonite city of Rabbah.)

1 Samuel 17:4
The Philistines had a champion fighter from Gath named Goliath. He was about nine feet, four inches tall. He came out of the Philistine camp

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But in all things approving ourselves,.... It is not sufficient for a minister of the Gospel to avoid everything that might bring any blot or scandal on his ministry; but he should in all things, and by all ways and means, proper, lawful, and laudable, approve, prove, and show himself to be a true and faithful dispenser of the word. All in such an office ought to make it appear, that they are such by behaving and conducting

as the ministers of God; as becomes such, whom he has chosen, called, and fitted for that service; and particularly in, or

by much patience; by a large, constant, and continued exercise of that grace; and by bearing patiently many things for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, without murmuring at the hand of God, or being angry with men, and without fainting and sinking in their own spirits:

in afflictions; that is, in patiently bearing, them. This word may be considered as a general word, including all sorts of afflictions whatever, of which the following are particular species:

in necessities; want of food, drink, and raiment, being hungry, thirsty, and naked, as the apostles sometimes were: in distresses; both of bad mind; being in such straits and difficulties they know not where to look, what course to steer, or which way to turn themselves.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But in all things - In every respect. In all that we do. In every way, both by words and deeds. How this was done, Paul proceeds to state in the following verses.

Approving ourselves as the ministers of God - Margin, “Commending.” Tyndale renders it, “In all things let us behave ourselves as the ministers of God.” The idea is, that Paul and his fellowlaborers endeavored to live as became the ministers of God, and so as to commend the ministry to the confidence and affection of people. They endeavored to live as was appropriate to those who were the ministers of God, and so that the world would be disposed to do honor to the ministry.

In much patience - In the patient endurance of afflictions of all kinds. Some of his trials he proceeds to enumerate. The idea is, that a minister of God, in order to do good and to commend his ministry, should set an example of patience. He preaches this as a duty to others; and if, when he is poor, persecuted, oppressed, calumniated, or imprisoned, he should complain, or be insubmissive, the consequence would be that he would do little good by all his preaching. And no one can doubt, that God often places his ministers in circumstances of special trial, among other reasons, in order that they may illustrate their own precepts by their example, and show to their people with what temper and spirit they may and ought to suffer. Ministers often do a great deal more good by their example in suffering than they do in their preaching. It is easy to preach to others; it is not so easy to manifest just the right spirit in time of persecution and trial. People too can resist preaching, but they cannot resist the effect and power of a good example in times of suffering. In regard to the manner in which Paul says that the ministry may commend itself, it may be observed, that he groups several things together; or mentions several classes of influences or means. In this and the next verse he refers to various kinds of afflictions. In the following verses he groups several things together, pertaining to a holy life, and a pure conversation.

In afflictions - In all our afflictions; referring to all the afflictions and trials which they were called to bear. The following words, in the manner of a climax, specify more particularly the kinds of trials which they were called to endure.

In necessities - This is a stronger term than afflictions, and denotes the distress which arose from want. He everywhere endured adversity. It denotes unavoidable distress and calamity.

In distresses - The word used here (στενοχωρία stenochōria) denotes properly straitness of place, lack of room; then straits, distress, anguish. It is a stronger word than either of those which he had before used. See it explained in the notes on Romans 2:9. Paul means that in all these circumstances he had evinced patience, and had endeavored to act as became a minister of God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 6:4. But in all things approving ourselves — The apostle now proceeds to show how conscientiously himself and his fellow labourers acted, in order to render the ministry of reconciliation effectual to the salvation of men. They not only gave no offence in any thing, but they laboured 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 φλιψεσιν. 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.