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Selected Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:3 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Co 6:3 |
King James |
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| Resuming the connection with Co2 6:1, interrupted by the parenthetical Co2 6:2. "Giving no offense" (compare Co1 10:33), "approving ourselves," and all the other participles down to Co2 6:10, are nominatives to "we also entreat you" (Co2 6:1), to show the pains he took to enforce his exhortation by example, as well as precept [ALFORD]. "Offense" would be given, if we were without "patience" and the other qualifications which he therefore subjoins (compare Rom 14:13). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Giving no offence in anything - We the ministers of God, Co2 6:1. The word rendered "offence" means, properly, stumbling; then offence, or cause of offence, a falling into sin. The meaning here is, "giving no occasion for contemning or rejecting the gospel;" and the idea of Paul is, that he and his fellow-apostles so labored as that no one who saw or knew them, should have occasion to reproach the ministry, or the religion which they preached; but so that in their pure and self-denying lives, the strongest argument should be seen for embracing it; compare Mat 10:16; Co1 8:13; Co1 10:32-33. See the Phi 2:15 note; Th1 2:10; Th1 5:22 notes. How they conducted so as to give no offence he states in the following verses.
That the ministry be not blamed - The phrase, "the ministry," refers here not merely to the ministry of Paul, that is, it does not mean merely that he would be subject to blame and reproach, but that the ministry itself which the Lord Jesus had established would be blamed, or would be reproached by the improper conduct of anyone who was engaged in that work. The idea is, that the misconduct of one minister of the gospel would bring a reproach upon the profession itself, and would prevent the usefulness and success of others, just as the misconduct of a physician exposes the whole profession to reproach, or the bad conduct of a lawyer reflects itself in some degree on the entire profession. And it is so everywhere. The errors, follies, misconduct, or bad example of one minister of the gospel brings a reproach upon the sacred calling itself, and prevents the usefulness of many others. Ministers do not stand alone. And though no one can be responsible for the errors and failings of others, yet no one can avoid suffering in regard to his usefulness by the sins of others. Not only, therefore, from a regard to his personal usefulness should every minister be circumspect in his walk, but from respect to the usefulness of all others who sustain the office of the ministry, and from respect to the success of religion all over the world. Paul made it one of the principles of his conduct so to act that no man should have cause to speak reproachfully of the ministry on his account. In order to this, he felt; it to be necessary not only to claim and assert honor for the ministry, but to lead such a life as should deserve the respect of people. If a man wishes to secure respect for his calling, it must be by living in the manner which that calling demands, and then respect and honor will follow as a matter of course; see Calvin. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Ministry
Rev., ministration. See on Rom 12:7.
Blamed (μωμηθῇ)
Only here and Co2 8:20. The kindred μῶμος blemish, is found Pe2 2:13, and in the Septuagint of bodily defects. Similarly the Septuagint ἄμωμος spotless, without bodily defect; and, in the moral sense, Pe1 1:19, applied to Christ. Compare Heb 9:14; Eph 5:27; Jde 1:24. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Giving, as far as in us lies, no offence, that the ministry be not blamed on our account. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| Giving no offense - The word προσκοπη, read προσκομμα, Rom 14:13, signifies a stumbling block in general, or any thing over which a man stumbles or falls; and here means any transgression or scandal that might take place among the ministers, or the Christians themselves, whereby either Jews or Gentiles might take occasion of offense, and vilify the Gospel of Christ. |
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.