PAUL WAS APPROVED BY GOD DESPITE LACK OF HEALTH AND WEALTH 

II Corinthians 6:4-10

December 7, 14, 2025   

     Charismatics religious groups build doctrines and philosophies how God wants us to be healthy and how to be wealthy.

     Let us analyze how these Corinthians accused Paul that God is not on his side, God abandoned and God and does not love him, so Paul writes them to prove that he was approved minister of God despite lack of health and wealth.

     What Paul did in order the Corinthians know that he is a Genuine servant of Christ:

Paul started to share to the Corinthians about the difficulties he experienced and encountered in life as evidence that he is a genuine minister of Christ.

II Corinthians 6:4-5 “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, ⁵ In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” 

     In other words, Paul did not start pointing out all what he accomplishments, like all the churches he pioneered and established, he did not also mentioned all the souls that he led to the Lord or being proud that he has big churches, but instead he enumerated the difficult circumstances that he faced as a real minister of the Lord.

Paul describes his pureness, his knowledge, his longsuffering, his kindness and his love. Paul was like the Lord Jesus.

II Corinthians 6:6-7 “By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, ⁷ By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”

II Corinthians 6:8-9 “By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;”

     

     Notice the words “honour and dishonour.” Paul describes some contrasts found in service for the Lord Jesus. In eyes of many, Paul has no honor at all, his ministry is not honored, but in the eyes of God, Paul receives honor because his ministry is approved. That is one part of the ministry from a human point of view and the other part is the true view of one in Christ. Remember, we serve God whether people honor us or despise us. Honest service is a life of honor and dishonor, a life of victory and defeat, a life of commendation and criticism. Some hearers will honor you and some will dishonor you; some will slander you and some will praise you, and some will call you an imposter while others defend your character and integrity as the real minister of God. If you serve God with a bible centered, Spirit filled, Christ exalting ministry, still you have encounterded oppositions reactions to the same message, but if your conscience is clear, then do not be discouraged for you have just fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus in Luke 6:26 “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”

     For Paul, honor or dishonor (shame or in Greek “atimia” literally not worthy of respect, reverence or esteem) are both means which contribute to the commendation of the ministry. Paul realized that he was doing what God called him to do, so whether he received praised or blamed and slander, being loved or despised, others flattered or criticized him, all of those did not matter to Paul. The evil report is from men, presumably Paul’s adversaries/critics in Corinth. While some spoke well of him, others were critical and condemning. Honestly, we can hardly stand it when we are accused of something we did not do. But Paul takes the perspective that it ultimately doesn’t make any difference when you know your life is pleasing God. It didn’t matter; we serve to please God.

     Notice Paul said he received “evil report” in Greek “dusphemia”. Literally evil speaking, ill report, slander, ill repute, reproach, defamation, ill language. The act of detracting or damaging another’s reputation.

     Notice Paul said he received “good report” in Greek “Euphemia” is a favorable expression about someone. It means the utterance of good words; commendation, praise, good repute. (used only here in NT and not in Septuagint).

     Notice the words “deceivers, and yet true.” It means we are honest but they call us imposters. Paul is in good company for Jesus was accused of being a deceiver because He said “after three days I am to rise again.” (Matt 27:63; John 7:12).

ILLUSTRATION: President of Venezuela has decreed that New Tribes Mission leave his country. New Tribes mission is one of the finest mission organizations ever, and having been to the jungles of Venezuela with their missionaries, I can tell you that they have done nothing but good for the Indians there medically, socially, economically and of course, spiritually. But Chavez accuses the missionaries of New Tribes Mission as fake.

     Paul said he received “evil report and good report” Paul knows on earth, he received evil reports, but Paul knows he will receive good reports at the coming day of judgment seat of Christ in heaven. These opposing detractors of Paul are saying that he was a failure and God has abandoned him. But despite of that Paul proved to them in verse 10 that he is a genuine servant of the Lord, so he describes both his health and his well in II Corinthians 6:10 “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” The point of Paul why he mentioned those conditions because Paul wants to prove to them, he was a genuine servant of God despite his health was failing and his wealth was nonexistent.

     If you are serving God in the ministry you have to be encouraged for surely you have experienced similar mountain tops and valley lows like Paul, so Paul said in I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Why? Because you are following the footsteps of Paul (I Corinthians 11:1) and suffering Servant Jesus Christ (Mark 10:45; I Peter 2:21).

 

Proofs that Paul is Genuine servant approved of the Lord Jesus Christ:

I – DYING BUT ALIVE 

II Corinthians 6:9b “as dying, and, behold, we live;”

     Paul and his fellow apostles were dying but Paul is used to get the Corinthians attention that even though he had come close to death and was constantly being delivered over to death, Paul was still alive and kicking.

     Often Paul faced death as he serves in ministry for the Lord.

     Paul despite dying God allowed him to live, God approved him to minister.

II Corinthians 11:23 “in deaths oft.”

I Corinthians 4:9 “were appointed to death.” (God chose the apostles and knew they were going to suffer greatly).

I Corinthians 15:31 “I die daily.” (not crucifying flesh at the cross, but Paul speaks he faced death almost every day)

I Corinthians 15:32 “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus” (face a very difficult existence.)

II Corinthians 4:16 “our outward man is perish” or perishing. (physical body in process of decaying)

II Corinthians 11:25 “once was I stoned…a night and a day I have been in the deep;”; Acts 14:19 “having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

     By this example of Paul, I think it is right to say that even if we walk with God, we should not always expect good health. Paul was not in good health at all times.

The Charismatic movement falsely teaches that if we have enough faith, we can keep our bodies healthy and we are disease free, and if they and their family died, they falsely excuse that it is God’s will for them not to consult doctors and hospital and allow their love ones to die without any operation or medical assistance. How cruel this charismatic religious group for they judge if someone is dying and become miserable and delirious ill, they said it is because they sinned or they have no enough faith to trust God for healing. Actually, those charismatic people even those falsely claim fake healers, get sick also and die. Even Charismatic people end up wearing glasses for their defective blur sight, end up sitting in wheelchairs, end up in nursing homes just like other people. These Charismatics religious group like the Corinthians have a views far from the truth.

 

     Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

     Jesus is saying to his disciples that if they want to follow Christ, they may have to face death. The cross is an instrument of death. It was not true that Paul was abandoned by God or he did not please God, Paul was dying, often face death but alive for God wants to use him more, this proof that he was a Genuine servant approved by God.

 

II – CHASTENED BUT NOT KILLED

II Corinthians 6:9c “as chastened, and not killed;”

     Despite that Paul was chastened but God did not allow him to be killed, was a proof God approved him to minister.

Notice the word Paul uses here for “chastened” means to train a child, child rearing. It means God was training Paul for service. Since Paul was a child of God and God was his heavenly father. If Paul was a truly child of God, he was going to be disciplined. Child training involved severe difficult times from heavenly father. The emphasis is enduring suffering and discipline by his father, but not being ultimately destroyed by it. The Christian life often involves discipline and correction from God, as He molds and shapes His children into the image of Christ. This process may involve hardships and challenges, but ultimately results in spiritual growth and maturity.

     But from the opinion and false view of false teachers, God was against Paul or opposed and they said Paul possibly was not in God’s will and don’t glorify God. But Paul used the term “chastened” or being trained for more service to indicate that he is really approved of God.

     Paul and other Apostles were sometimes chastened by the Lord but Christians were not always chastened by God for our sin, but to prevent us Christians that we would not sin.

Example: Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to prevent him not puffed up with pride.

II Corinthians 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. ⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

     God chastening of Paul and other Apostles proved that God loves them and God was on their side and God wanted the best for all of them. They were all real child of God.

     The Corinthians were Carnal for they have some childish attitude and philosophies that if God loves us, everything would always in our favor, and when things don’t go in my way, it means God doesn’t love because if God really loved us, everything would always be nice, we would be healthy and wealthy. This carnal Christians imputing Paul and other Apostles that they were abandoned by God because they experienced hardships and difficulties in life. That is why they believed that Paul and other apostles were closed to death, chastened or punished by the Lord. Since God doesn’t love them and God abandoned them, so the Corinthians say we should not listen to these Apostles. This accusation was very childish notion. Therefore, here Paul speaks of the truth opposite to those wrong mentality of the Corinthians. Paul is telling the Corinthians exactly opposite to their childish views that we ought to hold on in our Christian life. That is why Paul defended the truth that he and fellow apostles were dying and yet we live, were chastened and yet not killed (v.9).  

 

     II Corinthians 6:4-5 “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, ⁵ In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;”

     This serves as a reminder of the many challenges and hardships that Paul and his fellow apostles faced as they spread the gospel. It emphasizes the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll that this work took on them, but also highlights their dedication and commitment to the message of Christ. This verse reminds us that the early church faced significant opposition and persecution, yet they continued to press on in their mission to share the good news of Jesus.

     Like the Apostle Paul if we face death often, and have been chastened or disciplined of the Lord, it shows that God loves us and we’re genuine children of God, and since God wants to use us more, so he is training us, molding us that we may grow spiritually. Paul said in verse 4 he had lot of afflictions, hardships and distresses which refers to the examples that he mentioned in verse 5, “in stripes” literally refers to blows to Paul's body; “in imprisonments” this is the story of Paul’s life after completing the three-missionary journey. Paul was frequently in prison at Philippi, and that at Caesarea; “in tumults” (in Greek akatastasis – riots, civil disorders) describes of numerous riots in Paul’s ministry; “in labours” speaks of hard, unremitting toil, to the point of exhaustion. Paul knew creditable ministry involved some serious work (he was also a tent-maker - Acts 18:3), but he also knew that their toil (in Greek “kopos”) (was) “not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58); “in watchings” or sleeplessness (in Greek “agrupnia”. Why would Paul need to be a light sleeper? Because Paul was always in danger or close to death so he had to remain alert to possible unexpected attempts to assassinate him. Paul endured sleeplessness also implies he had cares concerns for the sake of the Church; “in fastings” or in hunger and thirst, Paul was often without food, in cold and exposure. But despite of all of these, we hear not even a suggestion of complaining or grumbling. Paul is a Spirit filled man. God used all of these difficulties, God’s training to strengthen, equipping, preparing Paul that God would use him for more service even though he was already using Paul. It was a proof that he was approved as minister of God.

     Despite of all the suffering that Paul and the other apostles endured, they were still alive and still being used by the Lord, was an indication that God was on their side, so God preserved Paul and other apostles that He might use them more in this life. This is in contrast from earthly and worldly perspective of the charismatic today and the Carnal Corinthians.  

     The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:6-8 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. ⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

     God chastisement is evidence that God loves us as His child. Although through chastisement God is dealing with us because we sinned and when we are going to a wrong direction, but sometimes God is dealing with us through chastisement because He just wants to discipline His children even though they done nothing wrong. Discipling or training His children to do what they need to do to be more matured and useful for the good of themselves. Chastening indicates that godly parent loves that child.

Application: When God chastens us as His child and we are still alive and kicking, it is because God still wants to use us more and for His glory.

     John 15: 1-11 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ³ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁶ If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”   

     Jesus used the metaphor of a vine and branches, to illustrate the importance of abiding in Him. Occasionally, God chastens us and deals harshly with us, like Jesus emphasizes that God the farmer prunes unfruitful branches to ensure maximum fruit production, which is a form of discipline that leads to spiritual growth. This process of pruning is not punitive but is mean for purification and refinement in the cases of the the vine that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruitful spiritual life.

 

III – SORROWFUL BUT ALWAYS REJOICING – v.10a 

II Corinthians 6:10a “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”     

     What is the meaning of sorrowful. 

     Notice the words “As sorrowful”. The word “as” is in the present tense, continually. Also, the words “yet always” is also in the present tense, continually. Both verbs in the present tense speaking of continually. As our heart ache, but we always have joy. Paul was sorrowful over the rejection of his fellow countrymen, his fellow Jews and for the lost soul’s pitiful condition in general. Paul was also sorrowful over disobedient, immature believers, and over the threats of false teaching posed to the church. But on the other hand, Paul rejoiced in the souls that did receive the Gospel of their salvation, and because a Sovereign God is in control and His plans and purposes are perfect.

     What the Corinthians saw and think of Paul being sorrowful?

     In the eyes of the carnal Corinthians, in the eyes of the False teachers, they saw Paul and other apostles were men of sorrow, men who had a hard life, men who were not blessed physically, outwardly, externally because Paul and his fellow servants of God have affliction, necessities, stripes and been imprisoned (v.4). That is why the Corinthian’s view is that God is not pleased with them because if God is with their side, Paul and his co-laborers will be happy people, not sorrowful.  

     When the Corinthians saw Paul and other apostles facing all kinds of obstacles, were jailed, beaten, whipped, stones, blasphemed, these Corinthians detractors viewed Paul’s affliction, sorrows, being chastened, dying as an indication that God abandoned them, God did not love them, God was not on their side and God was not blessing them and was not working through them.  

     The charismatic and the Carnal Corinthians knows the Joy in the midst of health, knows the Joy in the midst of wealth and ease, the Joy when everyone speaks well of you. That would not mean anything to the world because the world has those things already. But the world does not have the joy in the midst of sorrow. Jesus purposely came to give in this fallen, pain-filled, sin-wracked world is the joy in the midst of sorrow.

II Corinthians 7:5 “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.”

     What the Corinthians saw in Paul is that he was tired, weary and worn carrying many burdens upon his shoulders, and were trouble on every side. And this is what the carnal Corinthians saw in Paul and his fellow apostles, when the time Paul rebukes them for their sin as he writes these epistles to the Corinthians.

     What burdens that makes Paul weep over and over again?

II Corinthians 11:28 “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”

     Paul talks about his emotional health, his soul, his inner man. Paul and the other apostles since they bear many burdens, griefs and sorrows in this life, they were not afraid to weep. Besides, Paul bore daily upon his shoulders the care of the burden of all the churches. Paul was "spiritual father" to the churches he had planted and felt a sense of responsibility for them. This is something his adversaries had no experience with for they had planted no churches! While he does not say this is the greatest burden, knowing Paul's shepherd's heart for the flock, this was probably the greatest burden for it involved human souls. No wonder Paul weep over and over for the carnal state of Corinthians who were not doing well spiritually.     

     Here reveals the overwhelming responsibility that Paul feels for the churches under his care. It speaks to the weight of pastoral ministry and the burden of caring for the spiritual well-being of others. The phrase "that which cometh upon me daily" indicates that Paul's concern for the churches is a constant and ongoing reality in his life. This verse also suggests that this burden weighs heavily on Paul, as he speaks of it in terms of "care" or anxiety.

      It is a sorrowful sight to look around the state of many burdens in churches today. Ezekiel sighed and cried over the wickedness and despair in his land. Jeremiah was a weeping prophet. Jesus was a man of sorrow. The same is true in our passage that Paul and other apostles bore many sorrows in life.

     What are other griefs and disappointment that makes Paul sorrowful in the ministry?

     Paul has many griefs and disappointments in his ministry for the Lord. Many believers who were close to him turned back to the world, false teachers condemning his work everywhere he went, there are lot of people falsely accuse and discourage him, and Satan several times hindered him in his mission’s work.

     By God’s grace we are going to reach more people who will got saved in the coming days, whom you loved, whom you pray and help to grow but then fall into sin of immorality, go back to the world, go out and make a mess of their lives, youth that forsake the assembly of the local church when they grow up older, wander and have more fun with the electric guitars and drums of the gospel rock with the Evangelical Church somewhere, some get all mixed in false doctrines, etc. It is full of sorrows and burden that Paul carried in his heart. And if we love the Lord and love what Paul is doing in the ministry, we will also bear of the same kinds of sorrows and burdens that Paul bore daily.

     What makes sorrows part of a real life?

     Although of course, there were moments that Paul was rejoicing and excited over the things of the Lord. But Paul never tries to fake his smiley faces, trying to pretend that he was sorrowful and tired and weary for he carried many burdens. There is nothing wrong when the believers are carrying lot of heavy burdens. As we are part of this sin cursed earth and occasionally, we are surrounded by many kinds of heavy experiences. No one has the right to judge you that you are not spiritual just because you carry lots of heavy burden in your heart. Opposite to the thinking of Corinthians that since Paul was sorrowful, so Paul was not happy and was not spiritual.

     What kind of a person who have sorrow and joy at the same time?

     Only the Spirit indwelling a sorrowful man, could make him joyful at the same time.

Example: In his dark prison cell, Paul writes exhorting the Philippians believers, and said Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Every word of rejoice mentioned is in the present imperative and we have to see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey.

Example: The Thessalonians believers were told by Paul in I Thessalonians 1:6 “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.”

     That is why even though the Thessalonians had experienced joy in tribulation, Paul still commanded them to keep on keeping on and to rejoice. I Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice evermore.” If we turn our joy on and off like a light switch, we are only hurting ourselves. Remember, no Christian can ever know what is meant by the words “Rejoice evermore” but the Christian who takes up his cross and follows Jesus.

 

ILLUSTRATION: A farmer have joy In the midst of sorrow.

Habakkuk 3:17 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:”  

     When everything the farmer lives for and all the efforts he puts into growing crops facing terrible circumstances. The drought comes or famine attacks and the fruits not on the vine, the farmer got nothing. What a miserable condition the farmer encountered. But listen what he says in Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” The farmer had the joy of the Lord. The Joy will never be change by any terrible circumstances. But happiness is based only on any favorable circumstances like when we’re healthy, our salary raised and our children get well in school.

     Despite of any unpleasant news, you heard, either about cancer, loss of loves, financial drought, but God still on the throne, He never changes, He always in control, that is why the joy of the Lord is constant, and we need be filled by the Spirit 24 hours daily.

 

     What are some realities that we need to know in time of sorrows in life?

     Despite of sorrowful experience of hours and days with grief and pain, there are things that we should know:

1. Our Heavenly Father is the God of all comfort – II Corinthians 1:3
2. Jesus is a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief – Isaiah 53:3
3. Jesus is our interceding High Priest at the throne of Grace – Hebrews 4:14-16
4. Holy Spirit is the comforter who dwells and ministers to us – John 14:16, 20
5. We are comforted that we may be able to comfort others – II Corinthians 1:3-7
6. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that we cultivate as we walk and led by the Spirit – Galatians 5:16-18, 22-23)

     No matter what sorrows comes in our lives, we can still be joyful in the Lord. But this does not mean that we bury our sorrows and pretend our sorrows do not exist, because if we do that it would just make things worse. Our joy must be in the Lord and we should not put our joy on people. The Joy that comes from the heart is real, but if the joy comes only from the lips, it is fake.

     What kind of person who only wants in life to be happy always?

     However, those people who are always happy all the time are usually the shallow Christians and have not actually thought deeply of spiritual things. Being joyful does not mean being happy. Joy is not light and lively kind of happiness based on circumstances.

     What kind of joy Paul has?

     When Paul says, “yet always rejoicing”, what kind of Joy Paul has? It is not a human kind of joy neither superficial kind of joy based on favorable circumstances. Paul is talking here the real joy of the Lord which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. If is the fruit of the Spirit therefore we have to have the 24 hours joy a day because the Holy Spirit indwell the believers permanently. But of course, it does not mean, you will never feel sorrows, because in reality of life, there were unexpected unavoidable terrible occurrence in life, but still, we do have to have joy. We need to surrendered to God so the indwelling Spirit will manifest in us the fruit which is joy.  

     When all our earthly resources and strength is gone and we experience the amazing joy of trusting God and experience the comfort of the real joy of the Lord, we have the unending joy.

     Joy is not happiness. Joy is deeper than happy go lucky feeling. Joy is the fruit of the spirit that continues despite the worst tragedies we experience. Joy is knowing the Lord and delighting in God. Joy is surrendering our lives to God.  

     What motivate Paul to writes to the Corinthians and told them the opposite of what they think about him. Paul writes to them the deep, abiding inner joy of the Lord in the midst of terrible circumstances and Paul wants to let them know that he was approved minister of God. The sorrow that Paul faced drew him closer to God for he said “yet always rejoicing”.

Ecclesiastes 7:3 “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”

Solomon asserts that a sorrowful heart is often more productive in shaping character and maturity than empty laughter.

Sorrow can be a divine gift, it clears away illusions, deepens our hearts, and leads us to joy that laughter alone can never produce.

 

IV – POOR YET MAKING MANY RICH– v.10b

II Corinthians 6:10b “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 

     Based in our previous study from his statement, his body was not in the greatest shape, for he was not healthy all the time. Paul said he was often at the point of death, and often sorrowful, and he shared he experienced a lot of suffering, hunger and thirst, weary, sleepless and full of cares for the churches, that is why Paul was lack of health. 

     Paul testimony as a poor.

     The word “poor” in Greek (ptochos). Poor is viewed as a "dirt poor," like a pauper or beggar. Poor by the world's definition but not God's (Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”)! This is a paradox of earthly poverty but heavenly wealth. Paul said II Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” Although we are poor in this world’s wealth, but we don’t live aiming to be rich on things, we live to help people rich on Jesus Christ. 

     Paul’s spiritual wealth

     Then notice the phrase “as poor, yet making many rich”, while Paul and his companions may be materially poor, they are rich in faith and able to offer the priceless gift of salvation to others. This reflects the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where the Lord Jesus blesses the poor in spirit and promises the kingdom of heaven to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:3-6). It is a reminder that true wealth is found in the riches of God's kingdom, not in earthly possessions.     

         Paul’s financial resources were minimal and at times non-existent, but his spiritual resources were limitless. And his Gospel message provided many with an eternal inheritance. 

 

     Paul making many rich.

     The words “making many rich” (in Greek “ploutizo”) speaks of literally making someone rich, enrich. In the New Testament used only figuratively, of spiritual enrichment cause to have an abundance.

     Paul said that he and those with him were poor (materially?), but they were “making many rich” (spiritually). How?

I Corinthians 1:5 “That in every thing ye are enriched by him”

II Corinthians 6:10 “as poor, yet making many rich”

II Corinthians 9:11 “Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness”.

According to the Old Testament, God promised to physically bless the nation of Israel conditionally if they obeyed His laws. Now, some of the Jews came to know Christ as their Savior and it is understandable how they might misapply some of those Old Testament principles that God gave to a nation Israel and apply them to individual Christians. Actually, Paul wrote to Timothy and warned them about some of this false teaching that was still going around in during that day. Paul said in I Timothy 6:5 “supposing that gain in godliness.” There are those who equate material wealth with spiritual righteousness, indicating that such beliefs are misguided and stem from corrupt thinking for they somehow link together health in God’s hand upon us or rather well in God’s hand upon us. This statement of Paul serves as a warning to avoid those who promote this false view. As today the charismatics religious group embrace this false teaching of prosperity gospel. That is exactly the mistake of the charismatics that the gospel of success people are making today. So, todays charismatic group taking the Old Testament principles that God gave to the Jewish nation and applying them to Christian individuals. That is not fitted interpretation for today’s Christian faith. Contrary to what we might hear in the prosperity gospel success preaching type ministries, they boldly teach to convince but misled others that if you’re walking with God, God will bless you financially, you will be healthy and you will be wealthy. In reality, it was not true of Jesus and it was not true of Paul and it was not true of the other apostles. We don’t know where they got their false information, false doctrines, false principles, false philosophies that arouse the interest of many innocents in order to get people’s money. 

     Opposite to what Paul is saying to these carnal Corinthians, Paul give his testimony that he was poor, he did not have all that decorative luxurious clothing that the false teachers had, and Paul had no place to lay his head as indication not that God abandoned him, not that God don’t want to bless him, not that God doesn’t love him, not that Paul have sinned against God, but because he was approved by God as genuine minister of God, as follower of the Lord

     Yes, Paul admitted in this context the he and other apostles were poor, and yet what Paul really delighted in was the fact that Paul was able to make others rich. 

     Paul chose to live in poverty like Christ     

     Actually, Paul left his career as a Pharisee. Paul he was successful in this earth and had a great career in his future, but Paul left it all behind and he counted it as dung (Philippians 3:8); Paul wanted to follow Christ (I Corinthians 11:1); Paul wanted to preach Christ (Acts 20:24). Paul feels hungry, thirsty, and sleepless nights (II Corinthians 11:27). Paul chose a life that would not lead him to great riches because Paul wanted to preach Christ to unsaved souls (I Corinthians 9:16; Romans 10:1). 

     And Paul surrendered and give his life to Christ as an apostle, which he knew would not give him a lot of riches in life, but determined to commit himself whatever the price of sufferings as long it would make other rich. And so, it resulted to thousands repented from their sin and believed Christ as their Savior and got saved. We are so grateful that through Paul’s epistle we learned how rich we are spiritually in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and partly we have that earnest of our inheritance indicates a down payment or assurance of the full inheritance that awaits (Ephesians 1:4), because Paul chose to follow the Lord Jesus. Paul chose a life of poverty that others would be rich. Paul chose the life of Christ (II Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”)

 

V – HAVING NOTHING BUT POSSESSING ALL THINGS – v.10c

II Corinthians 6:10c “as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”     

 

     Paul’s having nothing but possessing all things

     Then notice in verse 10c “as having nothing,” (It is in present tense – continually). Then Paul said “possessing (“katecho”) all things.” 

     According to some commentaries, Paul’s having nothing would be the result partly of his refusing either to accept support from the Corinthians (II Corinthians 11:7-9), or to sell the gospel for financial gain (II Corinthians 2:17). Nevertheless, Paul regarded himself as truly rich because he was already experiencing the earnest inheritance as sealed by the Spirit. 

     How do we possess all things? If we possess Christ who is the heir of all things, what have not in Him? 

We possess all things because:

1. We have Christ wisdom to teach us, 
2. We have Christ righteousness to justify us
3. We have the Spirit sanctification to make us holy
4. We have Christ redemption to deliver us from sin, death and hell
5. We have the love of God through Christ
6. We have Christ pardon of our sins
7. We are reconciled to God through Christ
8. We have a title to a heavenly crown
9. We have everything in Christ; Christ is ours and Christ is God’s

If we possess Christ, is there anything we have not in Him?

 

     Paul and other Apostles in the ministry did not own anything related to this world and yet continually had everything in the next world and even in this world as Peter said in II Petre 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” So, Paul, Peter and associates in the ministry possessed all things necessary for this life and the life to come!

     People see in us “as having nothing, yet (we are) possessing all things”. Paul have counted everything as loss or the surpassing value of knowing the Lord Jesus. 

Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”. 

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.“ 

I Corinthians 3:21-23 “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; ²² Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's; ²³ And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.”)

     Again, Paul is saying that he wasn’t wealthy, but in Christ he was wealthy. What Paul means when he wrote in the Bible to tell us that we are joint heir with Jesus Christ? Joint heirs, that mean equal partners in what Jesus Christ is going to inherit when he establishes the kingdom. Inherit what? We are going to inherit everything, the whole world, the entire kingdom, the planet. Did you know that we are going to rule and reign with Jesus Christ. But on that time, the accusers of Paul might look down upon him and scorn him because of his poverty, the Corinthians and false teachers sorn him because Paul and other apostles experienced afflictions, necessities, imprisonments, often near to death, hungry with sleepless night.  

     Paul accusers might look down upon him because people dishonor him, he was accused as impostor, his reputation damaged by detractors, often near to death, disciplined by God, man of sorrows, living in poverty, having nothing. But Paul says that all of these accusations that his detractors and accusers throwing at him really prove just the opposite that he was truly a minister approved by God. Jesus and Paul both lived in poverty, both suffers, both were called deceivers, both accuse falsely, both were beaten, scorn. 

     Paul’s body had failing health; Paul did have many possessions in life. Paul knew that he had marvelous inheritance coming, so Paul had the joy of the Lord in the midst of it all.

     Paul was lowly, poor and not in healthy condition, facing death and full of sorrows but all of this testimony proved that he was a man of God. Paul always rejoicing 24 hours a day. The life of a Christian is not always fun and full of happiness, but it is a life always rejoicing even in unfavorable circumstances. God never changes so the joy of the Lord never changes. 

     Paul wrote all of these testimonies, to prove to his accusers, and enlighten them that he was approved by God as genuine ministers of God.!

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