2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (WEL) In no way are we giving anyone a reason to stumble, so the ministry won’t be blamed. 4 Instead, showing ourselves as God’s ministers in everything—in much perseverance, afflictions, necessities, distresses, 5 Beatings, imprisonments, riots, painful labor, sleeplessness, hunger, 6 By purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit, love, 7 By telling the truth, by God’s power, by weapons of righteousness on the right and left hand, 8 Through honor and dishonor, slanderous reports and true reports, as impersonators and yet true, 9 As unknown and yet well known, as dying, and look! We live! As punished but not killed. 10 As being depressed, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, and yet having everything.
V3 In no way are we giving anyone a reason to stumble, so the ministry won’t be blamed.
The Greek word for stumble is G4349 προσκοπή proskopē, which means (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) “an obstacle or difficulty which may be encountered – obstacle, trouble, difficulty.”
(AMG’s Comprehensive Dictionary of New Testament Words) “Obstacle against which one falls carelessly; that which causes harm to another and may lead to a fall.”
This is offending another believer in such a way as for them to be bitter or angry and be tempted to not attend fellowship or blame God. When that happens, people stop praying, reading, and studying the Bible.
Some examples (by AlterAI):
- When betrayal by religious leaders wounds trust.
- When pain or tragedy tests belief.
- When freedom or scruple within a community clashes.
- When confronting truth provokes defensiveness or pride.
Paul and his team strive to avoid causing stumbling, so must we whether in church, at home, at work, at shopping, at recreation, and everything in life. God is our helper.
Hebrews 13:6 (EHV) So then we say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?
V4 Instead, we are showing ourselves as God’s ministers in everything—in much perseverance, afflictions, necessities, distresses.
This verse explains the proper and godly way of life. Regardless of our experiences, we wish all people to see our lives and responses to these trials, doing what we, God’s servants, are to do.
V5 Beatings, imprisonments, riots, painful labor, sleeplessness, hunger.
We need the same Christian servanthood in these situations.
V6 By purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit, love.
In all these experiences of life, we respond, as God’s servants, in purity (to others), in knowledge (learning and able to comfort others—2 Corinthians 1:3-4), in longsuffering (not getting upset even in long-term difficulties), in kindness (instead of lashing out), in love (showing genuine love even to our enemies). We can because the Holy Spirit helps us (2 Corinthians 12:9 and Philippians 4:13).
V7 By telling the truth, by God’s power, by weapons of righteousness on the right and left hand.
Truth is reality. Everything God says is truth. His word (the Bible) is nothing but 100% truth. We must tell the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), we must rely on God’s power (“Help me, O Lord to say and do what is right—Psalm 112:7-8), and using the weapons of righteousness in both hands (2 Corinthians 10:4 and Romans 6:13).
V8 Through honor and dishonor, slanderous reports and true reports, as impersonators and yet true.
Paul and his team had to experience many slanders and character distortions. God knows the difference. We must take refuge in God (Psalm 91:2).
V9 As unknown and yet well known, as dying, and look! We live! As punished but not killed.
Some never heard of Paul; others knew of him and his message. Of those who heard him, some believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and some do not. Nevertheless, the soul of believers is a new creation, and we have life because Jesus rose from death. Jesus is the life-giver (1 Corinthians 15:45 and John 1:4).
Matthew 10:28 (EHV) Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
V10 As being depressed, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, and yet having everything.
Being lied about, suffering verbal and physical abuse, and people’s response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not as we wish, yet we rejoice because we are children of God (2 Corinthians 6:18) and bondservants of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:18, 1 Peter 2:16, and 2 Timothy 2:24).
We learn:
- To be careful not to cause someone to stumble in the faith.
- To be careful that we do not stumble in the faith.
- We are to live for Jesus Christ.
Questions:
- Have you ever stumbled in the faith?
- Can you rejoice when suffering?