The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 6:8 Explained

2 Corinthians 6:8

KJV: By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

YLT: through glory and dishonour, through evil report and good report, as leading astray, and true;

Darby: through glory and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, and true;

ASV: by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

By  honour  and  dishonour,  by  evil report  and  good report:  as  deceivers,  and  [yet] true; 

What does 2 Corinthians 6:8 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 6:1-10 - Ambassadors For Christ
On God's side the work of reconciliation is complete. Everything has been done and is in readiness to make forgiveness and justifying righteousness possible as soon as a penitent soul asks for them. He only waits for us to make application for our share in the atonement of Calvary. Many as our trespasses have been, they are not reckoned to us, because they were reckoned to Christ. God wants this known, and so from age to age sends out ambassadors to announce these terms and urge men to accept them.
God sends none forth to entreat men without cooperating with them. When rain falls on a slab of rock, it falls in vain. Be not rock, but loam to the gentle fall of God's grace. Let none of us be stumbling-blocks by the inconsistencies of our character, but all of us stepping-stones and ascending stairways for other souls.
The three marvelous series of paradoxes in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 deserve careful pondering. The first series enumerates Paul's sufferings on behalf of the Gospel; the second, his behavior under them; the third, the contrast between appearance and reality, as judged respectively by time and eternity. The stoic bears life's sorrows with compressed lips; the Christian, with a smile. Let us be always rejoicing, many enriching, and all things possessing. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 6

1  That he has approved himself a faithful minister of Christ by his exhortations,
3  and by integrity of life,
4  and by patiently enduring all kinds of affliction and disgrace for the gospel
10  Of which he speaks the more boldly amongst them because his heart is open to them,
13  and he expects the like affection from them again;
14  exhorting them to flee the society and pollutions of idolaters,
17  as being themselves temples of the living God

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 6:8

By glory and dishonour [δια δοχης και ατιμιας]
Here δια — dia is no longer instrument, but state or condition. Δοχα — Doxa here is glory. See note on Romans 9:21; note on 2 Timothy 2:20 for contrast between honour and dishonour (τιμη ατιμια — timēδια δυσπημιας και ευπημιας — atimia). [source]
By evil report and good report [δυσ]
Play on the words with prefixes ευ — duṡ and πημη — eu̇ and Δυσπημια — phēmē Ευπημια — Dusphēmia is a late word, only here in N.T. ως πλανοι και αλητεις — Euphēmia old and common word, only here in N.T. As deceivers and yet true (ως — hōs planoi kai alētheis). Paul takes up δια — hōs now in place of εν — dia which succeeded και — en Note use of Πλανος — kai in sense of “and yet” (adversative). πλαναω — Planos is late word (Diodorus, Josephus) for wandering, vagabond, impostor (cf. πλανος — planaō to lead astray, used of Christ, John 7:12). In N.T. only here; Matthew 27:63 (of Christ by Pharisees); 2 John 1:7. “In the Clementines St. Paul is expressly described by his adversaries as πλανην — planos and as disseminating deceit (planēn)” (Bernard). Such slander from one‘s enemies is praise. [source]
As deceivers and yet true [ως]
Paul takes up δια — hōs now in place of εν — dia which succeeded και — en Note use of Πλανος — kai in sense of “and yet” (adversative). πλαναω — Planos is late word (Diodorus, Josephus) for wandering, vagabond, impostor (cf. πλανος — planaō to lead astray, used of Christ, John 7:12). In N.T. only here; Matthew 27:63 (of Christ by Pharisees); 2 John 1:7. “In the Clementines St. Paul is expressly described by his adversaries as πλανην — planos and as disseminating deceit Such slander from one‘s enemies is praise. [source]
Deceivers []
See 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:2. The opinions concerning Paul as a deceiver are mirrored in the Clementine Homilies and Recognitions, spurious writings, ascribed to Clement of Rome, but emanating from the Ebionites, a Judaizing sect, in the latter half of the second century. In these Paul is covertly attacked, though his name is passed over in silence. His glory as the apostle to the Gentiles is passed over to Peter. The readers are warned, in the person of Peter, to beware of any teacher who does not conform to the standard of James, and come with witnesses (compare 2 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 10:12-18). Paul is assailed under the guise of Simon Magus, and with the same words as those in this passage, deceiver and unknown. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 6:8

Romans 3:23 The glory of God [τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ]
Interpretations vary greatly. The glory of personal righteousness; that righteousness which God judges to be glory; the image of God in man; the glorying or boasting of righteousness before God; the approbation of God; the state of future glory. The dominant meanings of δόξα in classical Greek are notion, opinion, conjecture, repute. See on Revelation 1:6. In biblical usage: 1. Recognition, honor, Philemon 1:11; 1 Peter 1:7. It is joined with τιμή honor 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. Opposed to ἀτιμὶα dishonor 1 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 6:8. With ζητέω toseek, 1 Thessalonians 2:6; John 5:44; John 7:18. With λαμβάνω toreceive, John 5:41, John 5:44. With δίδωμι togive, Luke 17:18; John 9:24. In the ascriptive phrase glory be to, Luke 2:14, and ascriptions in the Epistles. Compare Luke 14:10. 2. The glorious appearance which attracts the eye, Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6; Luke 12:27. Hence parallel with εἰκών image μορφή form ὁμοίωμα likeness εἶδος appearancefigure, Romans 1:23; Psalm 17:15; Numbers 12:8. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self-revelation, Exodus 33:22; compare πρόσωπον face Exodus 33:23. Hence the idea is prominent in the redemptive revelation (Isaiah 60:3; Romans 6:4; Romans 5:2). It expresses the form in which God reveals Himself in the economy of salvation (Romans 9:23; 1 Timothy 1:11; Ephesians 1:12). It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on; for instance, in calling, 2 Peter 1:3; in raising up Christ and believers with Him to newness of life, Romans 6:4; in imparting strength to believers, Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11; as the goal of Christian hope, Romans 5:2; Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; Titus 2:13. It appears prominently in the work of Christ - the outraying of the Father's glory (Hebrews 1:3), especially in John. See John 1:14; John 2:11, etc. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The sense of the phrase here is: they are coming short of the honor or approbation which God bestows. The point under discussion is the want of righteousness. Unbelievers, or mere legalists, do not approve themselves before God by the righteousness which is of the law. They come short of the approbation which is extended only to those who are justified by faith. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

2 Corinthians 11:21 By way of disparagement [κατα ατιμιαν]
Intense irony. Cf. 2 Corinthians 6:8. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:4 But in everything commending ourselves [αλλ εν παντι συνιστανοντες εαυτους]
Paul gives a marvellous summary of his argument about the dignity and glory of ministers of Christ as ministers of God (ως τεου διακονοι — hōs theou diakonoi) under three aspects, the first with in (εν — en) 2 Corinthians 6:3-7, the second with by (δια — dia) 2 Corinthians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 6:8, the third with as (ως — hōs) 2 Corinthians 6:9-10. The negative view with εν — en we have in 2 Corinthians 6:3, then the positive in 2 Corinthians 6:4-7. Each word carries a story that can be filled in from Paul‘s own life as a preacher with an echo in that of us all. [source]
Galatians 6:5  []
d Bear ye one another's burdens: every man shall bear his own burden. A kind of paradox of which Paul is fond. See Philemon 2:12, Philemon 2:13; 2 Corinthians 6:8-10; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Corinthians 12:10. Paul means, no one will have occasion to claim moral superiority to his neighbor, for ( γὰρ ) each man's self-examination will reveal infirmities enough of his own, even though they may not be the same as those of his neighbor. His own burdens will absorb his whole attention, and will leave him no time to compare himself with others. [source]
1 Timothy 4:1 Seducing [πλάνοις]
Primarily, wandering, roving. Ὁ πλάνος avagabond, hence deceiver or seducer. See 2 John 1:7, and comp. ὁ πλανῶν thedeceiver, used of Satan, Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:10; τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πλάνης thespirit of error, 1 John 4:6. Once in Paul, 2 Corinthians 6:8, and in lxx, Job 19:4; Jeremiah 23:32. Evil spirits animating the false teachers are meant. [source]
1 Timothy 4:1 In later times [εν υστεροις καιροις]
Old adjective (Matthew 21:31) usually as adverb, υστερον — husteron (Matthew 4:2). Relative time from the prediction, now coming true (a present danger). Some shall fall away (αποστησονται τινες — apostēsontai tines). Future middle of απιστημι — aphistēmi intransitive use, shall stand off from, to fall away, apostatize (2 Corinthians 12:8). From the faith Ablative case (separation). Not creed, but faith in God through Christ. Giving heed (προσεχοντες — prosechontes). Supply τον νουν — ton noun (the mind) as in 1 Timothy 3:8. Seducing spirits Old adjective As substantive in 2 Corinthians 6:8. Probably some heathen or the worst of the Gnostics. Doctrines of devils (διδασκαλιαις δαιμονιων — didaskaliais daimoniōn). “Teachings of δαιμονς — daimons Definite explanation of the preceding. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:20. [source]
1 Timothy 4:1 From the faith [της πιστεως]
Ablative case (separation). Not creed, but faith in God through Christ. Giving heed (προσεχοντες — prosechontes). Supply τον νουν — ton noun (the mind) as in 1 Timothy 3:8. Seducing spirits Old adjective As substantive in 2 Corinthians 6:8. Probably some heathen or the worst of the Gnostics. Doctrines of devils (διδασκαλιαις δαιμονιων — didaskaliais daimoniōn). “Teachings of δαιμονς — daimons Definite explanation of the preceding. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:20. [source]
1 Timothy 4:1 Seducing spirits [πνευμασιν πλανοις]
Old adjective As substantive in 2 Corinthians 6:8. Probably some heathen or the worst of the Gnostics. Doctrines of devils (διδασκαλιαις δαιμονιων — didaskaliais daimoniōn). “Teachings of δαιμονς — daimons Definite explanation of the preceding. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:20. [source]
2 John 1:7 Deceivers [πλανοι]
Late adjective (Diodorus, Josephus) meaning wandering, roving (1 Timothy 4:1). As a substantive in N.T. of Jesus (Matthew 27:63), of Paul (2 Corinthians 6:8), and here. See the verb Cf. 1 John 1:8. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 6:8 mean?

through glory and dishonor bad report good report as imposters and yet TRUE
διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας δυσφημίας εὐφημίας ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς

διὰ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
δόξης  glory 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
ἀτιμίας  dishonor 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀτιμία  
Sense: dishonour, ignominy, disgrace.
δυσφημίας  bad  report 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: δυσφημία  
Sense: the condition of one who is defamed.
εὐφημίας  good  report 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: εὐφημία  
Sense: the utterance of good or auspicious words.
πλάνοι  imposters 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πλάνος  
Sense: wandering, roving.
καὶ  and  yet 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἀληθεῖς  TRUE 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀληθής  
Sense: true.