2 Corinthians 6:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;

NIV: known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;

NASB: as unknown and yet well known, as dying and yet behold, we are alive; as punished and yet not put to death,

CSB: as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see--we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed;

NLT: We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.

KJV: As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

NKJV: as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;

Paul continues to list all he and his co-workers for the gospel of Jesus have endured in order to carry out their mission. He has also itemized their positive responses to suffering, along with evidence of God's power in and through them. He is commending himself in this way to counter the accusations of some in Corinth who were apparently accusing him of falsehood.

Now he adds that he and his co-workers have been treated as if they were unknown. Paul likely did not mean that people were not aware of him. Certainly those he had ministered to and those who opposed him knew who Paul was. He likely means that he has not been rightly acknowledged as Christ's representative and apostle. He counters that by insisting that he and his co-workers are well known. This was true of all who had believed his message and put their trust in Christ. Paul and his fellow workers were also, of course, known by God. That mattered most of all to him (2 Timothy 2:19).

Paul adds that he and his co-workers for Christ have been treated as if they are dying, though they live, and punished or beaten, though they are not killed. Paul regularly lived on the edge of death. He began this letter by describing a recent event that brought them very close to death (2 Corinthians 1:8–9). Paul also will go on to describe being beaten for proclaiming Christ (2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:23–25). Still, he has endured to this point. He offers this, as well, as evidence that God is with him in his ministry.

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.