2 Corinthians 6:4 “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great…”

2 Corinthians 6:4

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

But in all things approving ourselves as the 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,

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

But in all things we approue our selues as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Darby Translation

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

Young's Literal Translation

but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, 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,

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Cross references

“in all”

2 Corinthians 7:11 Acts 2:22 Romans 14:18 Romans 16:10 1 Corinthians 9:11 1 Thessalonians 2:3–11

2 Corinthians 7:11 · BSB

Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves…

Acts 2:22 · BSB

Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.

Romans 14:18 · BSB

For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Romans 16:10 · BSB

Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

1 Corinthians 9:11 · BSB

If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you?

1 Thessalonians 2:3–11 · BSB

For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.

“approving”

2 Corinthians 4:2 Romans 5:8

2 Corinthians 4:2 · BSB

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the…

Romans 5:8 · BSB

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

“as”

2 Corinthians 3:6 Joel 2:17 1 Corinthians 3:5 1 Corinthians 4:1 2 Corinthians 11:23 Isaiah 61:6

2 Corinthians 3:6 · BSB

And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Joel 2:17 · BSB

Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say…

1 Corinthians 3:5 · BSB

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

1 Corinthians 4:1 · BSB

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Corinthians 11:23 · BSB

Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.

Isaiah 61:6 · BSB

But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.

“in much”

2 Corinthians 12:12 Revelation 1:9 Revelation 3:10 James 5:7–10 Luke 21:19 Colossians 1:11

2 Corinthians 12:12 · BSB

The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.

Revelation 1:9 · BSB

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.

Revelation 3:10 · BSB

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

James 5:7–10 · BSB

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.

Luke 21:19 · BSB

By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.

Colossians 1:11 · BSB

being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

“afflictions”

2 Corinthians 4:17 Colossians 1:24 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 4:5 Acts 20:23 Acts 20:24

2 Corinthians 4:17 · BSB

For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

Colossians 1:24 · BSB

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.

2 Timothy 1:8 · BSB

So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

2 Timothy 4:5 · BSB

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Acts 20:23 · BSB

I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.

Acts 20:24 · BSB

But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

“necessities”

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

2 Corinthians 12:10 · BSB

That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 11:27 · BSB

in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure.

2 Corinthians 11:9 · BSB

And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

Acts 20:34 · BSB

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.

1 Corinthians 4:11 · BSB

To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

1 Corinthians 4:12 · BSB

We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

“distresses”

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

2 Corinthians 4:8 · BSB

We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

1 Thessalonians 3:7 · BSB

For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.

Romans 8:35 · BSB

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Romans 8:36 · BSB

As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Also

2 Timothy 2:24 Acts 9:16

2 Timothy 2:24 · BSB

And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.

Acts 9:16 · BSB

I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.

5in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;

Read 2 Corinthians 6