2 Corinthians 6:3-10
New American Standard Bible
3 (A)giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything (B)commending ourselves as [a](C)servants of God, (D)in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties, 5 in (E)beatings, in imprisonments, in (F)[b]mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in (G)hunger, 6 in purity, in (H)knowledge, in (I)patience, in kindness, in the (J)Holy Spirit, in (K)genuine love, 7 in (L)the word of truth, and in (M)the power of God; by (N)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and (O)dishonor, by (P)evil report and good report; regarded as (Q)deceivers and yet (R)true; 9 as unknown and yet well known, as (S)dying and yet behold, (T)we are alive; as [c]punished and yet not put to death, 10 as (U)sorrowful yet always (V)rejoicing, as (W)poor yet making many rich, as (X)having nothing and yet possessing (Y)all things.
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- 2 Corinthians 6:4 Or ministers
- 2 Corinthians 6:5 Lit tumults
- 2 Corinthians 6:9 Or disciplined
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
New English Translation
3 We do not give anyone[a] an occasion for taking an offense in anything,[b] so that no fault may be found with our ministry. 4 But as God’s servants,[c] we have commended ourselves in every way,[d] with great endurance, in persecutions,[e] in difficulties, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots,[f] in troubles,[g] in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit,[h] by genuine[i] love, 7 by truthful[j] teaching,[k] by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left,[l] 8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors,[m] and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet—see!—we continue to live; as those who are scourged[n] and yet not executed; 10 as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
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- 2 Corinthians 6:3 tn The word “anyone” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.
- 2 Corinthians 6:3 tn Other interpretations of the first part of 2 Cor 6:3 are possible. The phrase could also mean, “not putting an obstacle in the way of anyone” (L&N 22.14), or “giving no one in anything a cause to sin” (L&N 88.307).
- 2 Corinthians 6:4 tn Or “ministers.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:4 tn Or “we have commended ourselves by all things.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:4 tn Or “in trouble and suffering.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:5 tn Or “rebellions” (uprisings in open defiance of civil authority).
- 2 Corinthians 6:5 tn Usually κόποις (kopois) has been translated as “labors” or “hard work,” but see Matt 26:10 where it means “trouble”; “distress” (L&N 22.7). In this context with so many other terms denoting suffering and difficulty, such a meaning is preferable.
- 2 Corinthians 6:6 tn Or “by holiness of spirit.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:6 tn Or “sincere.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 tn Grk “by the word of truth”; understanding ἀληθείας (alētheias) as an attributive genitive (“truthful word”).
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 tn Or “speech.” In this context it is more likely that λόγος (logos) refers to Paul’s message (thus “teaching”) than to his speech in general.
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 tn The phrase “for the right hand and for the left” possibly refers to a combination of an offensive weapon (a sword for the right hand) and a defensive weapon (a shield for the left).
- 2 Corinthians 6:8 tn Or “regarded as deceivers.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:9 tn Grk “disciplined,” but in this context probably a reference to scourging prior to execution (yet the execution is not carried out).
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