2 Corinthians 6:4 Komentář

In this chapter the apostle gives an account of his general errand to all to whom he preached; with the several arguments and methods he used (Co2 6:1-10). Then he addresses himself particularly to the Corinthians, giving them good cautions with great affection and strong arguments (Co2 6:11-18).

We then, as workers together with him,.... The ministers of the Gospel are workers or labourers; their ministry is a work, and a very laborious one, which none have strength equal to, and are sufficient for; of themselves: it is a work that requires faithfulness and diligence, is honourable; and those who perform it aright deserve respect. These do not work alone: according to our version, they are "workers together with him"; meaning either God or Christ, not as co-ordinate with him, but as subordinate to him: he is the chief shepherd, they under ones; he is the chief master builder, they under workers; but inasmuch as he is with them, and they with him, he is over them, and stands by them, great honour is done them; they have encouragement to work; and hence it is that their work is successful. Though the phrase, "with him", is not in the original text, where only one word, is used, and may be rendered "fellow workers", or "fellow labourers", meaning with one another: and since therefore reconciliation was made by Christ, and the ministry of it was committed to them, and they were appointed ambassadors for him, and were in his stead, therefore, say they, we beseech you also; you ministers also; as we have entreated the members of the church, to be reconciled to the order of the Gospel, and the laws of Christ in his house, so as fellow labourers with you, and jointly concerned in the same embassy of peace, we beseech you the ministers of the word in this church, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: by "the grace of God", is not meant the grace of God in regeneration, and effectual calling, which can never be received in vain; for the grace of God never fails of producing a thorough work of conversion; nor is it ever lost, but is strictly connected with eternal, glory: but by it is meant either the doctrine of grace, the Gospel of Christ, so called, because it is a declaration of the love and grace of God to sinners, ascribes salvation in part, and in whole, to the free grace of God, and is a means of implanting and increasing grace in the hearts of men. Now this may be received in vain by ministers and people, when it is but notionally received, or received in word only: when it is abused and perverted to vile purposes, and when men drop, deny it, and fall off from it; or else by the grace of God may be designed gifts of grace, qualifying for ministerial service; and the sense of the exhortation be, that they be careful that the gifts bestowed on them might not be neglected by them, but be used and improved to the advantage of the church, and the glory of Christ; by giving up themselves to study, meditation, and prayer, by labouring constantly in the word and doctrine, and by having a strict regard to their lives and conversations, "that the ministry be not blamed"; which exhortation he pursues in, and by his own example and others, in some following verses, the next being included in a "parenthesis".

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.

This is the grace of the Holy Spirit, possessing the entire soul and filling the dwelling place with gladness and power, making sweet for the soul the sufferings of the Lord, and taking away the perception of the present pain because of the hope of the things to come.

For this is the grace of the Holy Spirit, possessing the entire soul and filling the dwelling place with gladness and power, making sweet for the soul the sufferings of the Lord and taking away the perception of the present pain because of the hope of the things to come. So, govern yourselves thus as you are about to ascend to the highest power and glory through your co-operation with the Spirit; endure every suffering and trial with joy with a view toward appearing to be worthy of the dwelling of the Spirit within you and worthy of the inheritance of Christ. Never be puffed up or enfeebled by indifference to the point of falling yourselves or being the cause of another’s sin.

"But in every thing commending ourselves as ministers of God." This is far greater. For it is not the same thing to be free from accusation; and to exhibit such a character as in everything to appear "ministers of God." For neither is it the same thing to be quit of accusation, and to be covered with praises. And he said not appearing, but "commending," that is 'proving.' Then he mentions also whence they became such. Whence then was it? "In much patience" he says, laying the foundation of those good things. Wherefore he said not barely "patience," but "much," and he shows also how great it was. For to bear some one or two things is no great matter. But he addeth even snowstorms of trials in the words, "In afflictions, in necessities." This is a heightening of affliction, when the evils are unavoidable, and there lies upon one as it were a necessity hardly extricable of misfortune. "In distresses." Either he means those of hunger and of other necessaries, or else simply those of their trials.

Servants of God teach without flattery, so that they might please him whose servants they are, unlike the false apostles, who sought only to please their hearers.

This is much higher: not only to make oneself pure from accusations and reproaches, but also to show such a life that from it one can see that he is a servant of God. He did not say: we show ourselves, but "we commend ourselves," that is, we show ourselves to be such in deed. He also speaks of the manner in which they become such, that is, through patience, and not simply through patience, but through "great patience." For it is not enough to endure one particular affliction or two, but one must be patient to the end. The highest degree of sorrow consists in when inescapable misfortunes oppress a person. "In straitened circumstances" signifies hunger or simply temptations.

Then when he says, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way, he teaches them how to use the grace they received for doing good. He says therefore: let us give no offense to anyone, but we commend ourselves, both you and we, in work and word and in all things which pertain to the virtues, such ministers of God as we ought to be, i.e., let us conform ourselves to God by doing his will: "Like the magistrate of the people, so are his officials" (Sir. 10:2); "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1). Then when he says, through great endurance, he shows in particular how we should exhibit ourselves as ministers of God in using the grace conferred on us. And this as to three things: first, as to outward actions, secondly, as to greater devotion (v. 11); thirdly, as to avoiding unbelievers (v. 14). In regard to the first he does three things in keeping with the three things in which external activity consists: first, it consists in enduring evil, and concerning this he says, through great endurance; secondly, in doing good (v. 6); thirdly, in mutual cooperation of good with bad (v. 7b). To endure evils the virtue of patience is necessary; hence, he says, through great endurance [in much patience]. In regard to this he does three things. First, he exhorts them to patience, because it says in Ps. 91 (v. 15): "They will be well off that they may proclaim" (Ps. 92:14-15, Vulgate); "By your endurance [patience] you will gain your lives" (Lk. 21:19). He says, in much, on account of the many tribulations they meet. Secondly, he shows the matter patience deals with in general, and this in two ways, namely in evils that come upon them, in regard to which he says, in afflictions [tribulations]: "Patient in tribulation" (Rom. 12:12); "By many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Ac. 11:21); and in the lack of necessities; hence, he says, in hardships [necessities], namely, of things necessary for life: "Bring me out of my distresses" (Ps. 25:17).

We should not receive the grace of God in vain, having such promises of support from him, Co2 6:1, Co2 6:2. We should act so as to bring no disgrace on the Gospel, Co2 6:3. How the apostles behaved themselves, preached, suffered, and rejoiced, Co2 6:4-10. St. Paul's affectionate concern for the Corinthians, Co2 6:11-13. He counsels them not to be yoked with unbelievers, and advances several arguments why they should avoid them, Co2 6:14-16. Exhorts them to avoid evil companions and evil practices, on the promise that God will be their Father and that they shall be his sons and his daughters, Co2 6:17, Co2 6:18,

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.

HIS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY IS APPROVED BY FAITHFULNESS IN EXHORTATION, IN SUFFERINGS, IN EXHIBITION OF THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST: HIS LARGENESS OF HEART TO THEM CALLS FOR ENLARGEMENT OF THEIR HEART TO HIM. EXHORTATIONS TO SEPARATION FROM POLLUTION. (2Co. 6:1-18) workers together--with God (Act 15:4; Co1 3:9). Not only as "ambassadors." beseech--entreat (Co2 5:20). He is describing his ministry, not exhorting directly. you also--rather, "WE ALSO (as well as God, Co2 5:20) beseech" or "entreat you": Co2 6:14-15, on to Co2 7:1, is part of this entreaty or exhortation. in vain--by making the grace of God a ground for continuance in sin (Co2 6:3). By a life of sin, showing that the word of reconciliation has been in vain, so far as you are concerned (Heb 12:15; Jde 1:4). "The grace of God" here, is "the reconciliation" provided by God's love (Co2 5:18-19; compare Gal 2:2).

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.