God’s Suffering Servants

6:1 Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.1 6:2 For he says, “I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”2 Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! 6:3 We do not give anyone3 an occasion for taking an offense in anything,4 so that no fault may be found with our ministry. 6:4 But as God’s servants,5 we have commended ourselves in every way,6 with great endurance, in persecutions,7 in difficulties, in distresses, 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots,8 in troubles,9 in sleepless nights, in hunger, 6:6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit,10 by genuine11 love, 6:7 by truthful12 teaching,13 by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left,14 6:8 through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors,15 and yet true; 6:9 as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet—see!—we continue to live; as those who are scourged16 and yet not executed; 6:10 as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

6:11 We have spoken freely to you,17 Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you. 6:12 Our affection for you is not restricted,18 but you are restricted in your affections for us. 6:13 Now as a fair exchange—I speak as to my19 children—open wide your hearts to us20 also.