Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 6:3

What does 2 Corinthians 6:3 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 6:3 means

Paul is careful to remove obstacles that might cause others to trip over the message. He safeguards the ministry’s credibility by avoiding behavior that could be a pretext for slander or unbelief. The aim is not image-management but integrity that leaves opponents without legitimate grounds to blame the service of the gospel. The minister’s life cannot be separated from the message he proclaims. In a world quick to accuse, Paul strives to keep the path clear for hearers, so that if they stumble, it is over the stumbling stone of the message itself, not over needless offense caused by careless conduct or avoidable faults.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in nothing giving any cause of offence, that the ministration may be not blamed,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not blamed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

giving no manner of offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed;

Context

After declaring the urgency of salvation’s day, Paul shows how he and his coworkers match their message with a blameless approach. Verses 3–10 form a sustained portrait of authentic ministry, beginning with a negative—no cause for stumbling—and moving to positive commendations under trial. What follows (vv. 4–5) catalogs hardships endured, while vv. 6–7 highlight inner graces and divine power, and vv. 8–10 present striking paradoxes. This framing helps the reader see integrity as the platform for exhortation.

v.2(for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):

v.3This passage

v.4but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 14:13

    Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:22

    To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:23

    All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:32

    Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

  • 1 Corinthians 8:9

    But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

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