Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

“Labours” strictly means “beatings” referring to exhausting physical or mental exertion of toil, labour, work in particular to Jesus’ words to His disciples after His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well and having missed His meal – John 4:34-38 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.Say not ye, There are yet four months, and thencometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

The word “tumult” means instability, unrest. It describes political unrest turmoil, revolution, insurrection as in Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. A common in human history. In James 3:16, community disruption confusion, disorder, unruliness of the unmortified flesh is the sense of the word – James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. And here in 2 Corinthians 6:5, the Apostle Paul speaks of social unrest rioting, tumult, disturbance due to mob action as a result of the gospel being preached in [Friberg Lexicon].

2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

The Christian is called to be a good soldier of the cross to bring honour and glory to Christ’s name by our walk with Him especially in times of persecutions. It was William Gurnall, a pastor, who gave this encouragement why the believer is to remain steadfast in times of persecution:

In light of all that God has done for you.
In light of the glorious standing you have as a child of God.
In light of His great plan of the ages that God has made you part of.
In light of the plan for Christian maturity and growth He gives to you.
In light of the conduct God calls every believer to live.
In light of the filling of the Spirit and our walk in the Spirit.
In light of all this, there is a battle to fight in the Christian life.
[William Gurnall, a pastor, published his book The Christian in Complete Armour, an exposition of Ephesians 6:10-20]

2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

It was in Philippi that the Apostle Paul had to endure beatings and cast into prison. But it was in the prison that the Philippian’s chief guard was saved together with his family. God wrought a miracle to deliver him by an earthquake that caused all the doors of the prison to be opened and his chains freed. He did not run away. It startled the prison keeper to come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Whilst the Apostle Paul and Silas were in prison, in their pain and captivity they praised God. What peace God gave them! This is recorded in Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

2 Corinthians 6:4-5 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

George Muller shared in his autobiography how he sought the Lord during the trying times when he testified, “The careful reading of the Word of God, and especially through meditation on the Word of God, the believer becomes more and more acquainted with the nature and character of God, and thus sees more and more, besides His holiness and justice, what a kind, loving, gracious, merciful, mighty, wise and faithful Being He is, and, therefore, in poverty, affliction of body, bereavement in his family, difficulty in his service, want of a situation or employment, he will repose upon the ability of God to help him, because he has not only learned from His Word that He is almighty power and infinite wisdom have actually exercised in helping and delivering His people; and he will repose upon the willingness of God to help him, because he has not only learned from the Scriptures what a kind, good, merciful, gracious, and faithful Being God is, but because he has also seen in the Word of God, how in a great variety of instances He has proved Himself to be so. And the consideration of this, if God has become known to us through prayer and meditation on His own Word, will lead us, in general at least, with a measure of confidence to rely upon Him, and this meditation on the Word of God, will be one special means to strengthen our faith.”

2 Corinthians 6:4-5 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

The Apostle Paul revealed that in the gospel work, he experienced afflictions. This word means literally pressure, pressing together, of suffering brought on by outward circumstances affliction, oppression, trouble [Friberg]. Indeed, he articulated well this testing of his faith that brought the spiritual fruit of patience in his heart – Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.

2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

In all things let us behave ourselves as the ministers of God – The idea is, that Paul and his fellow-labourers endeavoured to live as became the ministers of God, and so as to commend the ministry to the confidence and affection of men. They endeavoured to live as was appropriate to those who were the ministers of God, and so that the world would be disposed to do honour to the ministry. [Tindal]

The work of the ministry in the life of the Apostle Paul entails much suffering. He has to be in much patience, a spiritual fruit, borne out of the trials of the ministry that was a visible manifestation of God’s work in his life. His walk with God enabled him to fulfil the call of God to the ministry.

2 Corinthians 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

The Apostle Paul puts his ministry under scrutiny explaining that he was careful so as not put a stumbling block (meaning of the word “offence) to his hearers by the inconsistency of his own life with the message that he preaches. Indeed, the Word of God brings conviction to the heart of the preacher so that by him, it can thus reach the hearts and minds of his hearers. He sets the example.

Here from verses 3-10, he will share the sufferings that came upon him in the work of the gospel on behalf of Christ. The reason is that he wants to safeguard the ministry of the gospel that he has received from the Lord.¹ [Hendricksen]