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Rather, in everything we recommend ourselves as God’s servants:1 in considerable endurance,2 in oppressions,3 in needs,4 in difficulties,5
| 1 | In everything we recommend ourselves as God’s servants: Or, ministers. Paul creates a list of identifying characteristics of a true minister of the Gospel. It is likely that those ministers he mentions later in chapter 11 possessed the opposite of these identifying features. |
| 2 | In considerable endurance: Or, much patience, great endurance, steadfast endurance. The true minister of God is one who has endured every trial over a considerable time. |
| 3 | Oppressions: Or, afflictions, persecutions, tribulations, troubles. The true minister of God is one who has been persecuted or suffered tribulations. [Matthew 5:10-12] |
| 4 | Needs: Or, necessities, distresses. The true minister of God is one who has suffered such needs because of devotion to the service of others – not one who has every need met by other self-sacrificing persons. It is a person who can sympathize with those in need because of having experienced the same thing. |
| 5 | Difficulties: Or, distresses, anguish, dire straits. The true minister of God knows something of real difficulties. Compare some of Paul’s in 1 Corinthians 4 and 2 Corinthians 11. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Corinthians 6:4 as the theme of the chapter – Qualifications and Disqualifications. As working Christians we must not accept God’s grace in vain, but recognize this is “a day of salvation.” [1, 2] Paul then lists some of the qualifications of being an apostle. These included difficulties and persecutions, purity, tolerance and kindness. How different some modern day television evangelists! [3-10] Paul exhorts the Corinthians to “widen out” in their affections. [11-13]
In order to maintain our relationship with God, Paul exhorts believers to “remain separate from unbelievers.” [14-18] He asks a series of questions to demonstrate that true disciples are not close associates with unbelievers. He says “we are the Living God’s Temple” and then quotes a series of Bible verses to explain the need to “come out from among” worldly persons.
May Heaven bless those who refuse “to touch what is unclean.”
[17 June 2002]
Living lives that show that we are holy ministers, consecrated to God. Paul next gives some details of the apostolic life.
