(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(9)  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;”  “as dying, and, behold, we live”:  The true goal is to put aside self’s desires in order to yield to the Holy Spirit’s desire – directions. The HS put it another way: (Gal_2:20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” 

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(9)  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;  “As unknown, and yet well known”: The person who lives for God should not be one that exalts self. That is for others to do if done at all. The aim of the true servant of God is the exaltation of Jesus Christ.

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(8) By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;”  The Believer will face opposition in this world as Satan opposes the work of God. He does this through influencing others. No matter what this world does, we must stand true to the Lord. He is more important than even our reputation. We are to be meek as He was meek and bold as He was bold.

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(7)  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”   In Ephesians, the Believer is instructed to “take on” the armor of God. Since we already stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Christ (5:24), I would take this to mean we practice obedience in conduct to God’s Word, thus acting righteously. Doing so gives no offense to the ministry of Christ.

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(7)  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”   So often we move through the motions of service to the Lord without every seeking His help or His guidance. I am not referring to a token prayer in its midst. I am speaking of genuine utterance of the heart from knowing “the power of God” is the only means of true spiritual success.

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(7)  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”  Each of these listed in verse 7 are means by which we achieve success in giving no offense, in proving ourselves as God’s ministers (including for those not in “called” service).“By” implies one is standing by faith in God’s Word – truth: “Thy Word is truth” (Jn 17:17).

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(6)  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,”  There’s a great book first published in 1896 entitled, “In His Steps”. Written by Charles Monroe Sheldon, one person influenced many others to direct their lives by the question, “What would Jesus do?” That, is trying to live as Jesus would live, being a true Christian; thus by pureness, by longsuffering, by kindness, and by the Holy Ghost.

 (2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,…(5) In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” Notice verse 5 contains from persecution, to physical work, to safety concerns, to self denial. Yet, no matter the situation only one overseeing goal is before us – the reputation of Christ. Lord, help us to so live!

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4 ) But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”  “Approving”: to introduce; to exhibit.  A right reaction to others no matter the offense or trial, brings glory to the Lord. We react wrongly when our mind and heart is upon self, not the things of God.

(2Co 6:3) “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:”  The gospel can be truthfully and completely given, even speaking of the fact of sin without being offensive to the hearer. It should be given lovingly as well as firmly and confidently. What emboldened me was the realization that I (It) was right and resistance to it was based upon wrong thinking.