2 Corinthians 6:4 Meaning and Explanation
“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Rather than commending himself with words, Paul points to a life proven through great endurance amid hardship.
What Does 2 Corinthians 6:4 Mean?
Paul begins a long list of the things that mark a true servant of God. He does not boast of credentials or eloquence; he points instead to what he has endured. The catalog opens with much patience, then names afflictions, hardships, and distresses that press in from every side.
Genuine ministry, Paul suggests, is authenticated not by ease but by faithfulness under pressure. The steadfast endurance he describes is not grim self-reliance but a patience that holds because it leans on God. In a world quick to measure servants by success and comfort, this verse points to a different proof: a life that keeps loving and keeps going when everything would justify quitting.
2 Corinthians 6:4 in the Original Language
hupomone (ὑπομονή), 'patience' -- steadfast endurance that remains under a heavy load without giving way.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 6:4
What does 2 Corinthians 6:4 mean?
Rather than commending himself with words, Paul points to a life proven through great endurance amid hardship.