Unknown, Well Known, Dying, Living, Chastened and not Killed 2 Corinthians 6:9

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 wrote them concerning the following conditions they endured: “ 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, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;”. In chapter six and verse nine of Second Corinthians, Paul added yet more to his list as he included, “unknown, well known, dying, living, chastening and not killed” where we read:

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

The verse begins, “As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live;” Paul began with the words, “as unknown” which means “like people were ignorant, didn't understand or were wrong about Paul and his companions”, “and yet well known” or “still thoroughly acquainted with and known accurately and well”; “as dying” refers to “like unto being dead or slain”, “and, behold” or “look and see that” “we live” which means “Paul and his companions were breathing, alive and among the living”. Paul and his companions were “known” by many people, but also “unknown” to others, and although they were in a constant state that was near “death”, they continued to “live”.

The verse goes on to say, “as chastened, and not killed;” Paul continued with the words, “as chastened” which means “chastised or castigated and corrected with words of reproof, blows, the scourge and afflictions of evils and calamities”, “and not killed” or “not put to death, destroyed or rendered extinct”. Paul and his companions constantly received “reproof, blows, scourging and afflictions of evils and calamities.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how he and his companions were constantly judged and endured various conditions as they ministered to people. Some knew them, and some did not. Sometimes they were “dying”, and they continued living. They were often “castigated, suffered blows, scourges, afflictions”, and yet, they were not dead. This determination and perseverance is provided for by Jesus Christ. Through His Holy Spirit, God sustained Paul and his companions, and He maintains that offer to anyone who will receive Him through Jesus Christ His Son. Oh that we might be able to comprehend the vast supply of the sustainability God provided to Paul and his companions, and may we be willing to receive His provision for ourselves.

Next time we see Paul continues his list with, “sorrowful, rejoicing, poor, rich, having nothing and possessing all things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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