Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 6:5

What does 2 Corinthians 6:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 6:5 means

Paul gets specific: stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings, fastings. Some are inflicted by hostile forces—beatings, jails, riots. Others reflect the toil of ministry—exhausting work, sleepless nights, going without food either by necessity or voluntary discipline. Together they paint a life expended for the gospel. Such a catalog is not complaint but credential. Enduring these experiences without abandoning the mission reveals sincerity and dependence on God. It also highlights the costliness of serving Christ in a resistant world and the willingness of His servants to embrace hardship so that others might hear and believe the message of salvation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in stripes, in imprisonments, in insurrections, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in stripes, in prisons, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

Context

Continuing the list from verse 4, this verse details the external and physical trials that authenticate Paul’s work. It prepares the reader for a shift in verses 6–7, where the focus moves from outward trials to inner qualities and divine resources. The flow shows that endurance is not stoic grit alone; spiritual virtues and God’s power sustain it. This structure readies us for the paradoxes that present how appearances and realities diverge (vv. 8–10).

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

v.5This passage

v.6in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 37:15

    And the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe; for they had made that the prison.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:8

    For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

  • Acts 19:23

    And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:5

    Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.

  • Acts 28:30

    And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him,

  • Matthew 14:10

    and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

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