2 Corinthians 6:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;

NIV: in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

NASB: in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

CSB: by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

NLT: We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

KJV: By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

NKJV: by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

This continues to list evidences that Paul's ministry, as well as that of his co-workers in preaching the gospel of Jesus, has been carried out with integrity. He is showing that, despite attacks and accusations from others, they have been above reproach.

He has listed in the previous two verses the negative things they have endured for the sake of their ministry. Now he begins to list positive qualities they have shown in the face of those circumstances. He starts with purity, meaning that they have no agenda other than preaching the good news about Jesus. They are not double-minded or divided in their purpose.

They operate out of knowledge—or understanding—of what is true as they present the gospel. Integrity is worth little in a messenger if the message is wrong. Paul's message was built on right understanding of the truth.

They have demonstrated both patience and kindness, even in response to persecution. They acted with holiness, operating in the power of God's Spirit within them.

Finally, Paul insists that the love they have shown those in Corinth and elsewhere has always been genuine. Even his corrections and rebukes of them have been delivered out of his love for them. Paul had previously emphasized Christlike love to them in 1 Corinthians 13.

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.