Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:9

"as unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;" — 2 Corinthians 6:9 (ASV)

Behind these verses probably lie a number of actual allegations that Paul’s opponents made against him (cf. Romans 3:8; 1 Corinthians 4:13). In some quarters, Paul had probably become an object of disrepute and slander (v.8). He was thought a “nobody” who relied on deceit to become a “somebody” (vv.8b–9a), an irresponsible person who, needlessly courting danger and death, suffered for his trouble (v.9b–c), and a morose individual lacking the power that wealth affords (v.10).

“Glory and dishonor, bad report and good report” (v.8) may epitomize the two types of response to Paul’s preaching, or they may contrast the opinion of others (dishonor, bad report) with the reward of God (glory, good report). In the contrasts that follow (vv.8c-10) the paradoxical character of Paul’s apostolic ministry is emphasized. If in fact various charges had been made against him, he takes the accusation, lets it stand or invests it with his own meaning, and supplies an opposing complement to form a series of antitheses that point to the vicissitudes and tension of living as a persecuted “ambassador for Christ” (5:20).