2 Corinthians 6:3-7

6:3 We do not give anyone¹ an occasion for taking an offense in anything,² so that no fault may be found with our ministry. 6:4 But as God’s servants,³ we have commended ourselves in every way,⁴ with great endurance, in persecutions,⁵ in difficulties, in distresses, 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots,⁶ in troubles,⁷ in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6:6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit,⁸ by genuine⁹ love, 6:7 by truthful¹⁰ teaching,¹¹ by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left,¹²

¹tn The word “anyone” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.

²tn Other interpretations of the first part of 2 Cor 6:3 are possible. The phrase could also mean, “not putting an obstacle in the way of anyone” (L&N 22.14), or “giving no one in anything a cause to sin” (L&N 88.307).

³tn Or “ministers.”

⁴tn Or “we have commended ourselves by all things.”

⁵tn Or “in trouble and suffering.”

⁶tn Or “rebellions” (uprisings in open defiance of civil authority).

⁷tn Usually κόποις (kopois) has been translated as “labors” or “hard work,” but see Matt 26:10 where it means “trouble”; “distress” (L&N 22.7). In this context with so many other terms denoting suffering and difficulty, such a meaning is preferable.

⁸tn Or “by holiness of spirit.”

⁹tn Or “sincere.”

¹⁰tn Grk “by the word of truth”; understanding ἀληθείας (alhqeias) as an attributive genitive (“truthful word”).

¹¹tn Or “speech.” In this context it is more likely that λόγος (logos) refers to Paul’s message (thus “teaching”) than to his speech in general.

¹²tn The phrase “for the right hand and for the left” possibly refers to a combination of an offensive weapon (a sword for the right hand) and a defensive weapon (a shield for the left).