Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:3

"giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;" — 2 Corinthians 6:3 (ASV)

Giving no offense in anything. We are the ministers of God (see 2 Corinthians 6:1). The word translated offense means, properly, stumbling; then offense, or cause of offense, a falling into sin. The meaning here is, “giving no occasion for despising or rejecting the gospel;” and the idea of Paul is that he and his fellow apostles so labored that no one who saw or knew them should have occasion to reproach the ministry or the religion which they preached, but so that in their pure and self-denying lives, the strongest argument should be seen for embracing it (1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 Corinthians 10:32–33).

He states in the following verses how they conducted themselves so as to give no offense.

That the ministry be not blamed. The phrase, “the ministry,” refers here not merely to the ministry of Paul, that is, it does not mean merely that he would be subject to blame and reproach, but that the ministry itself which the Lord Jesus had established would be blamed or reproached by the improper conduct of anyone who was engaged in that work.

The idea is that the misconduct of one minister of the gospel would bring a reproach upon the profession itself and would prevent the usefulness and success of others, just as the misconduct of a physician exposes the profession to reproach, or the bad conduct of a lawyer reflects on the entire profession.

And it is so everywhere. The errors, follies, misconduct, or bad example of one minister of the gospel brings a reproach upon the sacred calling itself and prevents the usefulness of many others. Ministers do not stand alone. And though no one can be responsible for the errors and failings of others, yet no one can avoid suffering regarding their usefulness because of the sins of others.

Therefore, not only from a regard for their personal usefulness should every minister be circumspect in their conduct, but also from respect for the usefulness of all others who sustain the office of the ministry, and from respect for the success of religion all over the world. Paul made it one of the principles of his conduct to act so that no one should have cause to speak reproachfully of the ministry on his account.

To do this, he felt it was necessary not only to claim and assert honor for the ministry but also to lead such a life as should deserve the respect of others. If a person wishes to secure respect for their calling, it must be by living in the manner which that calling demands, and then respect and honor will follow as a matter of course. See Calvin.