2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Study Note
Study Note
The sustained paradox 'as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things' belongs to the long catalogue of apostolic commendations in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10, where Paul inverts every conventional criterion of apostolic success. The rhetorical device of 'as X, yet Y' (hōs... de) sets up an apparent contradiction that is resolved only when the eschatological dimension is introduced: the apostle's experience is simultaneously earthly deficiency and spiritual abundance. The 'making many rich' while being poor echoes 2 Corinthians 8:9 — 'he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich' — grounding apostolic poverty in the Incarnation pattern. The entire passage has shaped Christian theology of servanthood, voluntary poverty, and the economy of the cross.
Other Translations
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
as sorrowful, and always rejoicing; as poor, and making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
As full of sorrow, but ever glad; as poor, but giving wealth to others; as having nothing, but still having all things.
Cross References
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will …
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were …
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and …
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not …
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall …
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is …
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy …