Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

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In a world that is driven by monetary and notoriety being the formula for  success, the bible has a completely different take on what it means to be successful for a believer.  Paul here is in the middle of a discourse (2 Corinthians 6:3-13) about the character of his ministry, which when one reads these verses seems more like a miserable hardship. But Paul’s focus as he writes is not of the hardships but the success those hardships bring. This is in direct conflict to what the world teaches us is any where near the means of being successful today. – Mike

Matthew Poole’s English Annotations on the Holy Bible (2cor 6:10)

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; appearing to others as persons drowned in griefs and sorrows, yet we are always rejoicing in God, {Habakkuk 3:17,18} and in the testimony of a good conscience, 2 Corinthians 1:12.

As poor, yet making many rich; in outward appearance poor, having no abundance of the good things of this life; yet making many rich in knowledge and grace, God by us dispensing to them the riches of his grace.

As having nothing, and yet possessing all things as having nothing, no houses, no lands, no silver or gold, Acts 3:6; yet being as well satisfied and contented, as if all things were ours; as well satisfied with that little which we have, as the men of the world are with their abundance; possessing all things in Christ, though having little in the creature.

JFB Commentary Verse 10

The “as” no longer is used to express the opinion of his adversaries, but the real state of him and his fellow laborers.

making many rich — Spiritually (1 Corinthians 1:5), after the example of our Lord, who “by His poverty made many rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

having nothing — Whatever of earthly goods we have, and these are few, we have as though we had not; as tenants removable at will, not owners (1 Corinthians 7:30).

possessing all things — The Greek implies firm possession, holding fast in possession (compare 1 Corinthians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 3:22). The things both of the present and of the future are, in the truest sense, the believer‘s in possession, for he possesses them all in Christ, his lasting possession, though the full fruition of them is reserved for the future eternity.