Honor, Dishonor, Evil and Good Report 2 Corinthians 6:8

Paul the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth how he and his companions were, “in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God”, and he added these adverse conditions, “ in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left”. In chapter six and verse eight of Second Corinthians, Paul added more to his list as he included, “honor, dishonor, evil report and good report” where we read:

By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

The verse begins, “By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: ” Paul began with the words, “by honor” which means “through opinion, judgment, view, estimate, splendor and brightness” “and dishonor” or “ignominy and disgrace”, “by evil report” refers to “the condition of one who is defamed, ill-repute and the action of one who uses disgraceful language” “and good report” or “utterance of good or auspicious words and praise”. Paul and his companions experienced “honor, dishonor, defamation and praise” from others.

The verse continues, “as deceivers, and yet true;” Paul added the words, “as deceivers” which means “through wandering, roving, leading into error such as a vagabond, tramp, imposter and corrupter” “and yet true” or “loving and speaking the truth and being truthful”. Paul and his companions were often thought as men who were “misleading or corrupting” others, and yet, they remained “true” to the “gospel of Jesus Christ”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we notice no matter what others thought of he and his companions, they continued to “minister” to others. Some people “honored” them, and others “dishonored” them. Some people told “good things” about them, and others reported “evil” or “bad” things about them, and yet, they continued. Jesus Christ desires to have a relationship with every person who is willing, and when we face hardships and poor reports, let us be inspired by Paul's drive and initiative and continue, continue, continue in the “ministry” of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Next time we see Paul continues his list with, “unknown, yet well known, dying, living, chastened and not killed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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