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2 Corinthians 6:6

ESV by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;
NIV in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
NASB in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
CSB by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
NLT We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
KJV By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

What does 2 Corinthians 6:6 mean?

This continues to list evidences that Paul's ministry, as well as that of his co-workers in preaching the gospel of Jesus, has been carried out with integrity. He is showing that, despite attacks and accusations from others, they have been above reproach.

He has listed in the previous two verses the negative things they have endured for the sake of their ministry. Now he begins to list positive qualities they have shown in the face of those circumstances. He starts with purity, meaning that they have no agenda other than preaching the good news about Jesus. They are not double-minded or divided in their purpose.

They operate out of knowledge—or understanding—of what is true as they present the gospel. Integrity is worth little in a messenger if the message is wrong. Paul's message was built on right understanding of the truth.

They have demonstrated both patience and kindness, even in response to persecution. They acted with holiness, operating in the power of God's Spirit within them.

Finally, Paul insists that the love they have shown those in Corinth and elsewhere has always been genuine. Even his corrections and rebukes of them have been delivered out of his love for them. Paul had previously emphasized Christlike love to them in 1 Corinthians 13.
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