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
Rejoice evermore.
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Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of …
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be …
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy …
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which …
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not …