2 Corinthians 6:6
New International Version
in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

New Living Translation
We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

English Standard Version
by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;

Berean Standard Bible
in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

Berean Literal Bible
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness; in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love;

King James Bible
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

New King James Version
by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

New American Standard Bible
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

NASB 1995
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

NASB 1977
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

Legacy Standard Bible
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unhypocritical love,

Amplified Bible
in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

Christian Standard Bible
by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

American Standard Version
in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,

Contemporary English Version
But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real.

English Revised Version
in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Ghost, in love unfeigned,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[People can see] our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit's presence [in our lives], our sincere love,

Good News Translation
By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God's servants--by the Holy Spirit, by our true love,

International Standard Version
with purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; with the Holy Spirit, genuine love,

Majority Standard Bible
in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

NET Bible
by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,

New Heart English Bible
in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

Webster's Bible Translation
By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,

Weymouth New Testament
by purity of life, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love;

World English Bible
in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unhypocritical love,

Berean Literal Bible
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness; in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love;

Young's Literal Translation
in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,

Smith's Literal Translation
In purity, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned,

Catholic Public Domain Version
by chastity, knowledge, and longsuffering; in pleasantness, in the Holy Spirit, and in unfeigned charity;

New American Bible
by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in a holy spirit, in unfeigned love,

New Revised Standard Version
by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
By purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
By purity, by knowledge, by endurance, by kindness, by The Spirit of Holiness, by love without deceit,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
by purity, by knowledge, by long forbearance, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned,

Godbey New Testament
by purity, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Haweis New Testament
in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Mace New Testament
I approve myself, by chastity, by knowledge, by meekness, by kindness, by sanctity of mind, by undisguised benevolence,

Weymouth New Testament
by purity of life, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love;

Worrell New Testament
in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,

Worsley New Testament
by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the holy Spirit,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Hardships and God's Grace
5in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; 6in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;…

Cross References
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

Ephesians 4:2-3
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, / and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Romans 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, / filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. / Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

1 Timothy 1:5
The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Proverbs 3:3-4
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. / Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.


Treasury of Scripture

By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

pureness.

2 Corinthians 7:2
Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

knowledge.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:6
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

1 Corinthians 2:1,2,16
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God…

long suffering.

1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Ephesians 4:2,32
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; …

by the.

2 Corinthians 3:3
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the 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 fleshy tables of the heart.

2 Corinthians 11:4
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Romans 15:19
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

love.

2 Corinthians 2:4
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

2 Corinthians 11:11
Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

2 Corinthians 12:15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

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Clean Forbearance Genuine Ghost Heart Holy Kind Kindness Life Love Patience Pureness Purity Sincere Spirit Suffering Understanding Unfeigned Waiting
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Clean Forbearance Genuine Ghost Heart Holy Kind Kindness Life Love Patience Pureness Purity Sincere Spirit Suffering Understanding Unfeigned Waiting
2 Corinthians 6
1. That he has approved himself a faithful minister of Christ by his exhortations,
3. and by integrity of life,
4. and by patiently enduring all kinds of affliction and disgrace for the gospel.
10. Of which he speaks the more boldly amongst them because his heart is open to them,
13. and he expects the like affection from them again;
14. exhorting them to flee the society and pollutions of idolaters,
17. as being themselves temples of the living God.














in purity
Purity in this context refers to moral and spiritual cleanliness. Paul emphasizes living a life free from sin and corruption, aligning with the call to holiness found throughout Scripture (1 Peter 1:16). Purity is essential for maintaining a close relationship with God and is a reflection of the believer's transformation through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The call to purity is also a call to be set apart from the world, echoing the Old Testament requirements for the Israelites to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44).

knowledge
Knowledge here refers to a deep understanding of God's truth and His will, as revealed through Scripture. This is not merely intellectual knowledge but a spiritual insight that comes from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). Paul often prays for believers to grow in knowledge and discernment (Philippians 1:9-10), emphasizing that true knowledge leads to a life that pleases God. This knowledge is rooted in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

patience
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is crucial for enduring trials and tribulations. Paul himself faced numerous hardships (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), and his call to patience reflects the endurance required to remain faithful amidst suffering. Patience is also linked to hope, as believers wait for the fulfillment of God's promises (Romans 8:25). It is a characteristic of God's nature, as He is patient with humanity, not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9).

and kindness
Kindness is another fruit of the Spirit and is demonstrated through acts of compassion and mercy. It reflects God's own kindness towards humanity, as seen in His grace and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). In the cultural context of Corinth, where social divisions and conflicts were prevalent, kindness would have been a powerful testimony of the transformative power of the Gospel. Believers are called to imitate Christ's kindness, which is evident in His interactions with others (Luke 6:35).

in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the source of power and guidance for the believer's life. Paul emphasizes the role of the Spirit in enabling believers to live out these virtues. The Holy Spirit indwells believers (1 Corinthians 6:19) and empowers them to bear fruit that reflects Christ's character. The Spirit also provides wisdom and discernment, helping believers navigate the challenges of life and ministry (John 14:26).

and in sincere love
Sincere love is genuine and without hypocrisy. It is the greatest commandment, as Jesus taught (Matthew 22:37-39), and is the hallmark of true discipleship (John 13:35). This love is selfless and sacrificial, modeled after Christ's love for the church (Ephesians 5:25). In the context of the Corinthian church, where divisions and conflicts were common, sincere love was essential for unity and effective ministry. It is a love that seeks the best for others and is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Apostle Paul
The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth to defend his ministry and encourage the believers in their faith.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges, where Paul established a church during his missionary journeys.

3. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a diverse group of believers facing internal and external challenges to their faith.
Teaching Points
Pursuing Purity
As believers, we are called to live lives of purity, both in our actions and thoughts. This involves a conscious effort to avoid sin and seek holiness.

Growing in Knowledge
Knowledge of God and His Word is essential for spiritual growth. We should be diligent in studying the Scriptures and seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit.

Exercising Patience
Patience is a virtue that reflects our trust in God's timing and sovereignty. We should practice patience in our interactions with others and in our personal spiritual journey.

Demonstrating Kindness
Kindness is an outward expression of the love of Christ within us. We are called to show kindness to all, reflecting God's grace and mercy.

Living in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out these virtues. We must rely on His guidance and strength to exhibit sincere love and other godly attributes.(6) By pureness . . .--The word may possibly mean "purity of motive" in its widest sense, but the use of the corresponding adjective in 2Corinthians 11:2; 1Timothy 5:22; Titus 2:3; 1Peter 3:2, and, indeed, its general sense elsewhere, is decisive in favour of "purity from sensual sin"--personal chastity. In the general state of morals throughout the empire, and especially in writing to such a city as Corinth, it was natural to dwell on this aspect of the Christian character. (Comp. 1Corinthians 7:7.) The "knowledge" is obviously not that of earthly things, but of the mysteries of God (Ephesians 3:4). In "kindness" we trace the consciousness of an effort to reproduce the graciousness which he looked on as a characteristic attribute of God and Christ (Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4). In the "Holy Ghost" we may see a reference both to spiritual gifts, such as those of tongues and prophecy (1Corinthians 14:18-19), and to the impulses and promptings in which he traced the general guidance of the Spirit (Acts 16:6-7). "Love unfeigned" (i.e., without hypocrisy) presents the same combination as in Romans 12:9 ("without dissimulation" in the English version). . . . Verse 6. - By pureness; rather, in pureness, as the preposition is the same. He now gives six instances of special gifts and virtues. The "pureness" is not only "chastity," but absolute sincerity (1 John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:10). By knowledge. The knowledge is the true knowledge of the gospel in its fulness (Ephesians 3:4). In his depth of insight into the truth St. Paul was specially gifted. The word gnosis had not yet acquired the fatal connotations which afterwards discredited it. By long suffering (2 Timothy 3:10; 2 Timothy 4:2). The patient endurance of insults, of which St. Paul shows a practical specimen in this Epistle, and still more in Philippians 1:15-18. By kindness. "Love suffereth long, and is kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4); "Long suffering, kindness" (Galatians 5:22). By the Holy Ghost. To the special gift of the Spirit St. Paul attributed all his success (1 Thessalonians 1:5; Romans 15:18, 19). By love unfeigned; which is the surest fruit of the Spirit, and the best of all spiritual gifts (2 Corinthians 12:15; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 12:9, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

purity,
ἁγνότητι (hagnotēti)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 54: Purity, chastity. From hagnos; cleanness, i.e. blamelessness.

knowledge,
γνώσει (gnōsei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1108: Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge.

patience,
μακροθυμίᾳ (makrothymia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3115: Patience, forbearance, longsuffering. From the same as makrothumos; longanimity, i.e. forbearance or fortitude.

[and]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

kindness;
χρηστότητι (chrēstotēti)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5544: Goodness, uprightness, kindness, gentleness. From chrestos; usefulness, i.e. Morally, excellence.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Holy
Ἁγίῳ (Hagiō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit
Πνεύματι (Pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

[and] in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

sincere
ἀνυποκρίτῳ (anypokritō)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 505: Unfeigned, without hypocrisy, sincere. Undissembled, i.e. Sincere.

love;
ἀγάπῃ (agapē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 6:6 In pureness in knowledge in patience (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 6:5
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