2 Corinthians 6:6
What does 2 Corinthians 6:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 6:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 6:6 means
Beyond hardships, Paul points to the moral and spiritual character that marks genuine ministry: purity of life, sound knowledge of God’s truth, patient endurance with people, and active kindness. Crucially, these do not arise from mere human effort but “in the Holy Spirit,” whose presence produces “love unfeigned”—sincere, not performative. Paul’s gospel work is as much about who he is becoming as what he is doing. Integrity, wisdom, patience, and real love are the Spirit’s fingerprints on a servant’s life, evidencing that God Himself is at work through them to build up the church and commend the message to honest hearts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
KJV
King James Version · 1611By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In a clean heart, in knowledge, in long waiting, in being kind, in the Holy Spirit, in true love,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in [the] Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
Context
Having outlined sufferings (vv. 4–5), Paul turns to inner graces that uphold him. This balance prevents misreading endurance as only external toughness. Verse 7 will continue by naming the ministry’s foundation in God’s truth and power, using martial imagery to describe righteousness as protective equipment. The flow clarifies that authentic service combines tested character with Spirit-given virtues and God-centered strength, preparing for the later contrasts between reputation and reality (vv. 8–10).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Judges 16:15
And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thy heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.
- 1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 2 Corinthians 3:3
being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh.
- Ezekiel 33:31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.
- 1 Peter 1:12
To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
- 2 Corinthians 11:6
But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things.
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