John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:5

"in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;" — 2 Corinthians 6:5 (ASV)

In tumults: In proportion to the calmness and gentleness of Paul’s disposition, the greater excellence was displayed in his standing undaunted in the face of tumults; and he rightly takes credit for this—that while he abhorred tumults, he nevertheless faced them bravely. Nor does the praise simply consist in his being unmoved by tumults, (as this is commonly found among all riotous people), but in his not being alarmed by tumults that had been stirred up through the fault of others.

Unquestionably, two things are required of ministers of the Gospel: they should endeavor with all their power to maintain peace, and yet, on the other hand, go forward undaunted through the midst of commotions, so that they do not turn aside from the right course, even if heaven and earth were to be thrown into chaos.

Chrysostom, however, prefers to understand ἀκαταστασίαις to mean—frequent expulsions, since these afforded Paul no place of rest. In fastings: He does not mean—hunger arising from destitution, but a voluntary exercise of abstinence.

Knowledge may be understood in two senses: either as meaning doctrine itself, or skill in acting properly and knowingly. The latter appears to me more likely, as Paul immediately adds—the word of truth.

The Spirit is taken by metonymy, to denote spiritual graces. Frivolous, however, is the objection of Chrysostom, who infers from this that the other excellences are unique to the Apostle, because Paul mentions the Spirit separately, as if kindness, knowledge, pureness, armor of righteousness, came from any source other than the Holy Spirit.

Paul mentions the Spirit separately, however, as a general term among particular instances. The power of God showed itself in many things—in magnanimity, in effectiveness in maintaining the truth, in the propagation of the Gospel, in victory over enemies, and similar things.