Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 6:10
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, defends his apostolic ministry by cataloguing the contradictions of his life in service. This verse is the final pair in a series of paradoxes (6:4–10) that close before he opens his heart to them (6:11).
The words — πτωχοί (ptōchoi) is the word for beggars, the lowest rung of poverty, not merely "in reduced circumstances." It sharpens the contrast with "making many rich" into something concrete and social.
The thread — 2 Corinthians 8:9 applies the same movement to Christ: rich, yet became poor for their sake. James 2:5 reverses the equation, calling the poor of this world "rich in faith."
Why it lands — It refuses to let a reader sort experience into a single category; the same person is sorrowful and rejoicing at once. The demand is to hold the contradiction without collapsing it into optimism or pessimism.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Cross-references
- John 16:22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- Revelation 2:9 I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
- Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
- 1 Timothy 4:8 For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
- Hebrews 10:34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
- 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
- Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
- Luke 16:11 So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?