2 Corinthians 6:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

NIV: sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

NASB: as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

CSB: as grieving, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

NLT: Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

KJV: As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

NKJV: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

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.

Second Corinthians 6:1–13 contains Paul commendation of himself and his co-workers to the Corinthians. He offers evidence that they have not been false apostles. They have faithfully represented Christ through every kind of suffering and God's power has been obvious in and through them. He declares that they have been faultless and urges the Corinthians not to miss the day of God's salvation through faith in Christ. He states warmly that his heart remains wide open to the church in Corinth and asks them to open their hearts to him again.

This passage appeals to the Corinthians not to miss the day of salvation. Paul insists that he and those who work with him have done nothing to keep anyone from believing in Christ. He points to the evidence that he has been a true apostle and representative of Christ and asks the Corinthians to open their hearts to him again. He commands them not to harness themselves to unbelievers since Christ can have nothing to do with Satan or darkness. God lives in them through the Holy Spirit, so they must separate from everything that is opposed to God.

Second Corinthians 6 is set up by the message of God's grace for sinners as spelled it out in the previous chapter. Paul begs the Corinthians not to receive it in vain. He declares that he and his team have done nothing to keep them from believing in Christ. Parallel to this, he commands the Corinthians not to be harnessed to unbelievers. This leads into a passionate discussion of affliction and comfort in chapter 7.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.