John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:4

"but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses," — 2 Corinthians 6:4 (ASV)

In much patience. The whole of the following enumeration is intended to show that all the tests by which the Lord is accustomed to testing His servants were to be found in Paul, and that there was no kind of test to which he had not been subjected, so that the faithfulness of his ministry might be more fully established. Among other things that he enumerates, there are some that are always required of all the servants of Christ. Of this nature are labors, sincerity, knowledge, watchings, gentleness, love, the word of truth, the Spirit, the power of God, the armor of righteousness.

There are other things that are not necessary in all cases. For example, for anyone to be a servant of Christ, it is not absolutely necessary to be tested by means of stripes and imprisonments. Hence, these things will in some cases be lacking in the experience of the best. It is fitting for all, however, to be of such a disposition as to present themselves to be tried, as Paul was, with stripes and imprisonments, if the Lord sees fit.

Patience is the regulation of the mind in adversity, an excellence that should invariably distinguish a good minister. Afflictions include more than necessities; for by the term necessity here I understand poverty. Now, this is common to many ministers, since many of them are in poor circumstances; yet, at the same time, it is not true for all.

For why should a moderate amount of riches prevent a man from being considered a servant of Christ, who, in other respects, is pious, is of upright mind and honorable conduct, and is distinguished by other virtues? Just as the man who is poor is not on that account to be immediately considered a good minister, so the man who is rich is not on that account to be rejected. Moreover, Paul in another passage glories no less in his knowing how to abound, than in knowing how to be in want (Philippians 4:12). Hence, we must observe the distinction that I have mentioned, between occasional and invariable grounds of commendation.