2 Cor. 6:6. in long-suffering, in kindness,
This is the mark of an indomitable soul, when someone, being struck and wounded from all sides, not only endures patiently, but also does good.
2 Cor. 6:6. in the Holy Spirit,
In showing how he did all this, namely by the Holy Spirit. When he had shown his labors, then he set forth the help of the Holy Spirit. Here spiritual gifts are also understood, for by them we prove that we are servants of God, because we perform miracles. Otherwise: we gave no offense "in the Holy Spirit," that is, in the gifts of the Spirit. For many of those who boasted of the gift of tongues they had received did not use it as they ought. But Paul was not like that.
2 Cor. 6:6. in unfeigned love,
Here is the source of all good things, here is the reason why the Spirit remained in him.
2 Cor. 6:7. In the word of truth,
That is, not perverting the word of God.
2 Cor. 6:7. in the power of God,
Nothing, he says, is mine, but all this was accomplished in the power of God, or in signs and wonders and in punishing and beneficent power.
2 Cor. 6:7. with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left,
The weapons of righteousness on the left hand signify all that is grievous, while those on the right signify all that protects and places us in safety. On the left hand are sorrowful things, in the opinion of many, for the Lord also commanded to pray not to fall into temptation, and on the right are joyful things. Thus Paul showed himself blameless in both, neither losing heart in sorrows nor exalting himself in joys, but making all of these weapons of righteousness.
2 Cor. 6:8. In honor and dishonor,
He explained to us that the weapons in the right and left hand signify glory and dishonor. How then does glory serve as a weapon of righteousness? In that the glory of teachers attracts many to piety. What then? Is this a virtue of Paul? Of course, because he, being in glory, did not grow proud, while dishonor, producing patience, made him skilled and contributed to the success of his preaching.
2 Cor. 6:8. in reproaches and praises,
And the endurance of reproach is a great feat. For it strongly disturbs the soul. Therefore the Lord also calls blessed those who endure reviling. In tortures the body shares the sufferings together with the soul, but in reproach the entire weight falls upon the soul. Therefore it was also heavier for Job than all the other blows.
2 Cor. 6:8. We are regarded as deceivers, yet we are true,
"Regarded as deceivers" because of the reproaches, "yet true," which is proven by the commendations.
2 Cor. 6:9. We are unknown, yet we are recognized.
For some they were respected and well-known, while for others they were not even worthy of being known. This corresponds to what was said: "in honor and dishonor."
2 Cor. 6:9. They regard us as dead, but behold, we are alive,
That is, as those condemned and sentenced to death, and, in the opinion of those who plot against us, already dead; but by the power of God we are alive.
2 Cor. 6:9. We are chastened, yet not killed,
God permits this, he says, in order to bring us to our senses; for even before the future rewards, in the present life no small benefit comes from punishment. This is taken from David, who says: "The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death" (Ps. 118:18).
2 Cor. 6:10. They grieve us, yet we are always rejoicing,