Note 2 at 2 Cor. 6:4: The New Testament in Basic English translates this phrase by saying, "But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God." Paul was constantly demonstrating, through his actions, that he and his companions were true ministers of Christ. We do have a responsibility to live a circumspect life before the world (see note 1 at v. 3).

Note 3 at 2 Cor. 6:4: Paul gives a lengthy list of qualities and situations through which and in which he demonstrated his qualifications for the ministry. The first qualifications he lists (vv. 4-5), all have to do with persecution and hardships. If Paul's job description of a minister was on ministerial application forms today, many ministers would think twice before they applied.

Note 4 at 2 Cor. 6:4: Patience is the first quality that Paul lists as showing he is a true minister of Christ (see ref. c). That is not the first quality that most ministers today would list. Indeed, patience might not even be on many ministers' lists. However, patience is an indispensable virtue that must be present in all ministers of Christ (Jas. 1:4).

Note 5 at 2 Cor. 6:4: Afflictions include all experiences of life that result in pressure, oppression, tribulation, persecution and distress. Paul applied this term to his financial situation in Philippians 4:10-14. Paul speaks about his particular afflictions in the following verses: "... the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me." (Acts 20:23); "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." (2 Cor. 1:5); "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." (Phil. 1:29); "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church" (Col. 1:24); "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." (1 Th. 3:3-4); "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12).

Note 6 at 2 Cor. 6:4: The dictionary defines a necessity as something needed for existence; a pressing or urgent need. Paul applied this term to financial needs in Acts 20:34.

Paul states in Philippians 4:12-13 "I know BOTH how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me."

Paul is saying that circumstances of life have nothing to do with his victory. He is not living his life according to circumstances, but rather through the strength and ability which Christ infuses into him. Many times it is common for believers to start out depending on Christ and end up depending on their own ability. True Christianity is not becoming self-sufficient but rather God-dependent.

In the same way that Jesus lived the Christian life, i.e. with total dependence upon the Father (Jn. 5:19, 30; 8:28, 38; 12:49-50; 14:10) so we should live with total dependence upon Christ (Jn. 15:5). Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21), and "the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

Victory in the Christian life is not the absence of negative circumstances but rather the strength that one uses to go through those circumstances victoriously. "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57).

Note 7 at 2 Cor. 6:4: "Distress" carries the idea of being brought into difficult circumstances that constrain by harassment, etc. The literal meaning of the word is "narrowness of place, i.e. the confining produced by narrow circumstances." The Greek word "stenochoria" is translated as "distress" 3 times (Rom. 8:35; 2 Cor. 6:4; 2 Cor. 12:10) and "anguish" 1 time (Rom. 2:9).

In 2 Corinthians 4:8, Paul implies that distress is the natural result of trouble. In that verse, he also states that he is not distressed. Therefore, it can be concluded here that Paul encountered distressing circumstances, but he didn't become distressed, because of his victory in Christ.