What does 2 Corinthians 6:10 mean?

The verses in this section list reasons the Corinthians can offer others to show that Paul's ministry as an apostle has been true. He and his co-workers for Christ have always acted with integrity, even in the face of suffering great attacks and hardship. They are committed to declaring the good news about Jesus to the world.

Now he adds that they have been treated as if they are sorrowful, poor, and have nothing. In truth, Paul insists that they are always rejoicing, that they have made many rich, and that they possess everything. These words do not deny the reality of earthly circumstances. He has indeed experienced great sorrow in his work for Christ on several occasions (2 Corinthians 2:1–3; Romans 9:2; Philippians 2:27). He has certainly lived in poverty as a travelling missionary (1 Corinthians 4:11). Still, Paul describes how viewing his life and work from spiritual perspective points to greater truth.

Paul and his co-workers continually chose to rejoice even in the moments of their greatest suffering. Acts 16:23–25 describes a moment when he and Silas were singing hymns to God late at night after being thoroughly beaten and thrown into jail with their feet locked into stocks. Paul taught that all believers should see their lives from an eternal perspective and continue to rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

In addition, the gospel that Paul preached gave those who believed in Christ access to the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). In this way, he and his team made many believers enormously and eternally wealthy. Finally, as is the case for all Christians, Paul understood that all things were theirs in Christ Jesus. He said exactly this to the Corinthians in his earlier letter to them (1 Corinthians 3:21–23).

Paul's ability to see his life as an eternal experience turned all his losses into enormous advantages. The suffering was momentary. The victory would be forever.