{5} By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

(5) Secondly he reckons up such virtues as are necessary, and ought alway be in them, and by which as by good armour, all pitfalls and hindrances may be overcome.

People's New Testament

6:6 2Co 6:4,5 show what Paul suffered at the hands of men. He now tells his manner of life under such persecution.

By pureness. Living a holy life. Chaste.

By knowledge. His knowledge goes hand in hand with purity of life.

By the Holy Ghost. Showing forth the Spirit's influence and power.

Wesley's Notes

6:6 By prudence - Spiritual divine; not what the world terms so. Worldly prudence is the practical use of worldly wisdom: divine prudence is the due exercise of grace, making spiritual understanding go as far as possible. By love unfeigned - The chief fruit of the Spirit.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

6. By . by, &c.-rather, as Greek, "In . in," implying not the instrument, but the sphere or element in which his ministry moved.

knowledge-spiritual: in Gospel mysteries, unattainable by mere reason (1Co 2:6-16; 2Co 3:6, 17, 18).

long-suffering . kindness-associated with "charity" or "love" (1Co 13:4), as here.

by the Holy Ghost-in virtue of His influences which produce these graces, and other gifts, "love unfeigned" being the foremost of them.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

6:1-10 The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.