But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses,

but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,

but in everything recommending ourselves as God's ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,

On the contrary, as God's servants, we seek their full approval - by unwearied endurance, by afflictions, by distress, by helplessness;

But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,

But in all things, let us exhibit ourselves as ministers of God with great patience: through tribulation, difficulties, and distress;

No, we are trying to commend ourselves under all circumstances, as God's assistants should – in many an hour of endurance, in troubles, in hardships, in difficulties,

In much patience. The whole of the enumeration that follows is intended to show, that all the tests by which the Lord is accustomed to try his servants were to be found in Paul, and that there was no kind of test to which he had not been subjected, in order that the faithfulness of his ministry might be more fully established. [1] Among other things that he enumerates, there are some that are under all circumstances required for all the servants of Christ. Of this nature are labors, sincerity, knowledge, watchings, gentleness, love, the word of truth, the Spirit, the power of God, the armor of righteousness. There are other things that are not necessary in all cases; for in order that any one may be a servant of Christ, it is not absolutely necessary, that he be put to the test by means of stripes and imprisonments Hence these things will in some cases be wanting in the experience of the best. It becomes all, however, to be of such a disposition as to present themselves to be tried, as Paul was, with stripes and imprisonments, if the Lord shall see meet. Patience is the regulation of the mind in adversity, which is an excellence that ought invariably to distinguish a good minister. [2] Afflictions include more than necessities; for by the term necessity here I understand poverty. Now this is common to many ministers, there being few of them that are not in poor circumstances; but at the same time not to all. For why should a moderate amount of riches prevent a man from being reckoned a servant of Christ, who, in other respects, is pious, is of upright mind and honorable deportment, and is distinguished by other excellences. As the man that is poor is not on that account to be straightway accounted a good minister, so the man that is rich is not on that account to be rejected. Nay more, Paul in another passage glories not less in his knowing how to abound, than in knowing how to be in want. (Philippians 4:12.) Hence we must observe the distinction that I have mentioned, between occasional and invariable grounds of commendation. [3]

Footnotes

1 - "Afin que sa fidelite fust tant plus notoire, et la certitude de son ministere tant mieux approuvee;" -- "In order that his faithfulness might be so much the better known, and the stability of his ministry so much the better approved."

2 - "The words en hupomonho pollho, (in much patience,) must be connected with the following clauses up to en nesteiais (in watchings,) and denote patient endurance of the various afflictions specified in the words following, which are not to be treated (with Rosenm.) as merely synonymes denoting evils in general, but considered specially, and (as I conceive the Apostle meant) in groups." -- Bloomfield. -- Ed.

3 - "Entre les louanges temporelles et perpetuelles, c'est ... dire qui doyuent tousiours estre es vrais ministres;" -- "Between occasional grounds of commendation and perpetual, that is to say, what ought to be found invariably in true ministers."

But in all things - In every respect. In all that we do. In every way, both by words and deeds. How this was done, Paul proceeds to state in the following verses.
Approving ourselves as the ministers of God - Margin, "Commending." Tyndale renders it, "In all things let us behave ourselves as the ministers of God." The idea is, that Paul and his fellowlaborers endeavored to live as became the ministers of God, and so as to commend the ministry to the confidence and affection of people. They endeavored to live as was appropriate to those who were the ministers of God, and so that the world would be disposed to do honor to the ministry.
In much patience - In the patient endurance of afflictions of all kinds. Some of his trials he proceeds to enumerate. The idea is, that a minister of God, in order to do good and to commend his ministry, should set an example of patience. He preaches this as a duty to others; and if, when he is poor, persecuted, oppressed, calumniated, or imprisoned, he should complain, or be insubmissive, the consequence would be that he would do little good by all his preaching. And no one can doubt, that God often places his ministers in circumstances of special trial, among other reasons, in order that they may illustrate their own precepts by their example, and show to their people with what temper and spirit they may and ought to suffer. Ministers often do a great deal more good by their example in suffering than they do in their preaching. It is easy to preach to others; it is not so easy to manifest just the right spirit in time of persecution and trial. People too can resist preaching, but they cannot resist the effect and power of a good example in times of suffering. In regard to the manner in which Paul says that the ministry may commend itself, it may be observed, that he groups several things together; or mentions several classes of influences or means. In this and the next verse he refers to various kinds of afflictions. In the following verses he groups several things together, pertaining to a holy life, and a pure conversation.
In afflictions - In all our afflictions; referring to all the afflictions and trials which they were called to bear. The following words, in the manner of a climax, specify more particularly the kinds of trials which they were called to endure.
In necessities - This is a stronger term than afflictions, and denotes the distress which arose from want. He everywhere endured adversity. It denotes unavoidable distress and calamity.
In distresses - The word used here (στενοχωρία stenochōria) denotes properly straitness of place, lack of room; then straits, distress, anguish. It is a stronger word than either of those which he had before used. See it explained in the notes on Romans 2:9. Paul means that in all these circumstances he had evinced patience, and had endeavored to act as became a minister of God.

But in all things approving ourselves - The apostle now proceeds to show how conscientiously himself and his fellow laborers acted, in order to render the ministry of reconciliation effectual to the salvation of men. They not only gave no offense in any thing, but they labored to manifest themselves to be the genuine ministers of God, in much patience - bearing calmly up under the most painful and oppressive afflictions.
In afflictions - Εν θλιψεσιν. This may signify the series of persecutions and distresses in general; the state of cruel suffering in which the Church of God and the apostles then existed.
In necessities - Εν αναγκαις· Straits and difficulties; including all that want and affliction which arose from the impoverished state of the Church.
In distresses - Εν στενοχωριαις. Such straits and difficulties as were absolutely unavoidable and insurmountable. The word implies, being reduced to a narrow place, driven to a corner, hemmed in on every side, as the Israelites were at the Red Sea; the sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and Egyptian fortresses on either hand. God alone could bring them out of such difficulties, when their enemies themselves saw that the wilderness had shut them in. So was it often with the apostles; all human help failed, and their deliverance came from God alone.

But in all [things] (b) approving ourselves as the ministers of God, (4) in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
(b) Declare and indeed show. (4) He first of all reckons up those things which are neither always in the ministers, nor without exception, unless they are there according to the minister's bodily condition. Patience, however, is an exception, which also is one of the virtues which ought to always be in a good minister.

But in all things approving ourselves,.... It is not sufficient for a minister of the Gospel to avoid everything that might bring any blot or scandal on his ministry; but he should in all things, and by all ways and means, proper, lawful, and laudable, approve, prove, and show himself to be a true and faithful dispenser of the word. All in such an office ought to make it appear, that they are such by behaving and conducting
as the ministers of God; as becomes such, whom he has chosen, called, and fitted for that service; and particularly in, or
by much patience; by a large, constant, and continued exercise of that grace; and by bearing patiently many things for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, without murmuring at the hand of God, or being angry with men, and without fainting and sinking in their own spirits:
in afflictions; that is, in patiently bearing, them. This word may be considered as a general word, including all sorts of afflictions whatever, of which the following are particular species:
in necessities; want of food, drink, and raiment, being hungry, thirsty, and naked, as the apostles sometimes were: in distresses; both of bad mind; being in such straits and difficulties they know not where to look, what course to steer, or which way to turn themselves.

Translate, to mark the true order of the Greek words, "in everything, as God's ministers recommending ourselves," that is, that our hearers may give our message a favorable hearing, through our consistency in every respect, not that they may glorify us. Alluding to 2-Corinthians 3:1, he implies, We commend ourselves, not like them by word, but by deed.
patience-- (2-Corinthians 12:12). Put first. "Pure-minded" follows (2-Corinthians 6:6). Three triplets of trials exercising the "patience" (patient endurance) follow: Afflictions (or "tribulations"), necessities, distresses (or "straits"); stripes, imprisonments, tumults; labors, watchings, fastings. The first triplet expresses afflictions generally; the second, those in particular arising from the violence of men; the third, those which he brought on himself directly or indirectly.

In all things approving ourselves as ministers of God. Living lives that show that we are holy ministers, consecrated to God. Paul next gives some details of the apostolic life.
In much patience. Rather, in steadfast constancy and endurance, holding out under trials. Some of these trials are now given.
Afflictions. The first three details are general.
In stripes. See 2-Corinthians 11:23-24.
In imprisonments. He was imprisoned at Philippi, Jerusalem, CÃ&brvbr;sarea, and Rome, at least.
In tumults. See Acts 14:19; Acts 16:22; Acts 19:29; Acts 21:30.
2-Corinthians 6:4-5 show what Paul suffered at the hands of men. He now tells his manner of life under such persecution.
In pureness. Living a holy life. Chaste.
By knowledge. His knowledge goes hand in hand with purity of life.
By the Holy Spirit. Showing forth its influence and power.
By the word of truth. By preaching the gospel with power.
By the power of God. Shown in his great activity and unparalleled success (2-Corinthians 4:7).
By the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. See Ephesians 6:11. On the left hand was the shield; in the right, the sword. Protected by the shield of faith, Paul used the sword of the Spirit.
By honor and dishonor. A series of contrasted situations, nine in number, are now given. Sometimes "honored," sometimes treated as an outcast; sometimes well spoken of, sometimes slandered.
As deceivers, and yet true. Sometimes represented as artful impostors, yet true in life, word and deed.
As unknown, and yet well known. Obscure in the great, indifferent world, but well known in the church and to God.
As dying. Always exposed to death, and yet preserved, and having eternal life.
Chastened, and not killed. See Psalm 118:18. Though many a blow fell upon him, his life was spared.
As sorrowful. His suffering caused him grief, yet he rejoiced in hope.
Poor. Without worldly wealth, but carrying the riches of Christ to men.
Possessing all things. Compare 1-Corinthians 3:21.

But approving ourselves as the ministers of God - Such as his ministers ought to be. In much patience - Shown, In afflictions, necessities, distresses - All which are general terms. In stripes, imprisonments, tumults - Which are particular sorts of affliction, necessity, distress In labours, watchings, fastings - Voluntarily endured. All these are expressed in the plural number, to denote a variety of them. In afflictions, several ways to escape may appear, though none without difficulty in necessities, one only, and that a difficult one; in distresses, none at all appears.