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2 Corinthians 6:4
ESV but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
NIV Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
NASB but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,
CSB Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties,
NLT In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
KJV But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
NKJV But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

What does 2 Corinthians 6:4 mean?

Paul is demonstrating to the Corinthians that his gospel-preaching ministry has always been commendable. He hopes they will be convinced that he and his co-workers have always acted in integrity and in sincerity as they have represented Christ. He also wants to give those in Corinth who know him a way to defend him and his co-workers against the attacks of others.

First, Paul and his co-workers are servants of God. They do not serve themselves. The reason they operate with integrity in all things is because their first allegiance and responsibility are to God, not those they serve on His behalf.

Paul begins to list evidences of their integrity. The implied question is, "Why would we go through all of this if our motives weren't pure?" Paul states that he and his team have showed great endurance, meaning they have not given up or turned back in the face of suffering. That suffering has included afflictions, hardships, and calamities. These words express, generally, that Paul's ministry has required him to endure great difficulties. He is more specific about those difficulties in the following verses.
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