2 Corinthians 6:4 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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2 Corinthians 6:4

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But then the following verses speak even more to us. We are to demonstrate particular strengths in adversity and in hardship. These are vital because people notice how we behave under stress, in difficulty, under pressure: that is a tremendous part of our testimony. The apostle speaks of himself and his fellow preachers, but it applies to us also, as those who are in this ministry as the servants of God. He is going to give nine factors demonstrating particular strengths.First of all he mentions patience, and it is probably better to single out patience and to make it a heading for the nine things that follow. Patience is obviously different from them in character, and is the word that will govern everything that follows. Patience as opposed to despair, for example. We may react badly to trials and provocations and despair, or we may get into resentment or bitterness. That is noticed. People notice, it discredits the gospel. But God is watching, and he rewards with fruitfulness and opportunity if we exercise patience. No peevishness, no self-pity – this is patience. It holds us.The first three factors are afflictions, and necessities, and distresses. Afflictions might include rejection because you are a believer by certain people, a degree of general hostility because you cannot engage in somethings that the crowd around you might engage in. Necessities would be problems. Of course, what comes to mind from our translations is shortages, and, yes, they do occur in our lives – shortages, needs, and problems. ‘Problems’ is perhaps a better translation as it includes it all. ‘Distresses’ translates a Greek word which means narrowness. When affairs around you crowd in on you and you are under pressure. Straits is an old-fashioned word for narrowings and pressures and perplexing trials to which there is no obvious, no immediate solution, and we have to be calm and pray and trust the word and the promises of God.

Application

Patience means, with perseverance, with endurance. If you live for Christ and for the gospel and you seek avenues of service for him and you witness for him, you are going to face troubles. People are going to oppose you. The devil is going to oppose you. Even at a practical level, you are going to make difficulties for yourself. You have got to earn your living, you have got to look after your family, you have got to decorate the house, you have got to do all manner of things but, at the same time, you want to serve the Lord and you want to have a Sunday School and visit the community and do other things with the people of God. You are going to have trouble, even in fitting it all together, even before people turn against you and you have problems within the family, beyond the family, in your place of business. But if you are going to be part of this ministry of reconciliation – and this is what God has called us all to be involved in – you must be ready to face these pressures, these problems and these straits. So, he says, you have got to pray for grace to have much patience.

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2 Corinthians 6:4 Commentary and Bible Study