6:42 Corinthians 6:4

Ministers of God prove themselves in all things by much patience amid afflictions, necessities and distresses, showing faithfulness, fitness and complete faithfulness in every circumstance as the qualification for ministry.RH Nov 11, 1909+2 That proving includes giving no offense in anything so the ministry is not blamed, and being a living example of the truths taught.Ms 56, 1902, par. 52+2 It belongs to an appeal to workers together with God not to receive the grace of God in vain, because now is the accepted time and the day of salvation.Lt 84, 1909, par. 1–3+2 Afflictions, necessities, distresses and further hardships are to be expected and prepared for as part of the work rather than as evidence of failure, for those who share in Christ's glory must share in His sufferings.Lt 23, 1903, par. 20–22+3 Its principles are a higher education more exalted than anything in worldly education, to be studied diligently and put into practice with faithful exactitude by students and workers in schools and sanitariums, by canvassers, church officers, ministering brethren, caregivers and all church members.RH Nov 11, 1909+4

Ministers of God approve or prove themselves in all things by much patience amid afflictions, necessities, and distresses, demonstrating faithfulness, fitness, and complete faithfulness in every circumstance as the qualification for ministry.RH Nov 11, 1909+4 These trials are part of the setting in which they approve themselves, and the other circumstances and qualities named in the chapter belong with this evidence by which they show themselves approved.RH Nov 11, 1909+1 Its principles are part of the highest education, and the instruction of the chapter presents God's servants as examples of the principles of true education.RH Nov 11, 1909+1 It is spoken to fellow laborers and teachers as workers together with God who must not receive the grace of God in vain.Lt 84, 1909, par. 1–3+1

The approval includes giving no offense in anything so that the ministry is not blamed, and being an example of the truths taught.Ms 56, 1902, par. 52+3 A gospel minister proves faithful through patience, afflictions, need, hardship, and distress in every circumstance while giving no cause for blame on the work.1MR 64.3–4+2 The verse belongs to an appeal to workers together with God not to receive the grace of God in vain, because now is the accepted time and the day of salvation.Lt 84, 1909, par. 1–3+3 The now is ever the eternal now, since no tomorrow belongs to anyone.Ms 130, 1901, par. 6–7

The endurance in the verse continues through stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings, and fastings.Lt 84, 1909, par. 1–3+4 It continues by pureness, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Ghost, unfeigned love, the word of truth, the power of God, and the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.Lt 84, 1909, par. 1–3+3 The passage continues through honor and dishonor and evil report and good report.Ms 56, 1902, par. 52+2 It continues as deceivers yet true, as unknown yet well known, as dying yet living, as chastened yet not killed, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, and as having nothing yet possessing all things.Ms 56, 1902, par. 52+1

The verse presents Paul's own work as the picture of this ministry.AA 369.1–2+1 It belongs to a whole chapter from first verse to last that is of great importance whose conditions are principles that in no case should be neglected.Ms 130, 1901, par. 6–7

Hardships of affliction, necessity, and distress are to be expected and prepared for, for they belong to the work of ministers of God and do not prove failure in ministry.Lt 23, 1903, par. 20–22+3 Ministers prove themselves in all things by much patience under these trials, together with stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings, and fastings.Lt 23, 1903, par. 20–22+1 Those who would share in Christ's glory must share in His sufferings, commending themselves by their conduct in every circumstance and especially by patient endurance.Lt 23, 1903, par. 20–22+2 The obedient life does not always have an easy time, for obeying the truth brings the favor of God but also suffering from the opposition of the enemy.Ms 24, 1905, par. 10–11

Enduring with patience through afflictions, necessities, distresses, and the further hardships and graces joined to them in stripes, imprisonments, labors, pureness, knowledge, kindness and the rest, supplies the timbers to be used in building character.Ms 18, 1905, par. 17–21 In times of perplexity and distress when heavy strain comes it will plainly be seen what kind of timbers have been used.Ms 18, 1905, par. 17–21 Those who build with the material God has provided will be chosen by Him as temples for His indwelling.Ms 18, 1905, par. 17–21

Fitness for ministry is demonstrated by steadfast patience amid afflictions, hardships, necessities, and distresses, while giving no cause for the ministry to be blamed.Ms 174, 1899, par. 16–17+1 Genuine conversion joins the soul to Christ and makes a person a channel of light.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 22 So proved, a minister may lead the flock by following Christ.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 22

The principles of approving as ministers of God in much patience amid afflictions, necessities, and distresses constitute the higher education, more exalted than anything in worldly education.Lt 84, 1909, par. 4–5 That instruction was first given to the early disciples and is now given through the Word, and students and workers in schools and sanitariums are to give special attention to searching the Word, to study diligently to comprehend it, to follow it, and to advance just as far as the Word will take them.RH Nov 11, 1909+3 They are not to get in line with the world by studying what the world studies and becoming familiar with what the world knows, but to work intelligently for this higher education, with righteousness as the sign of understanding the will of God committed through His messengers.Lt 84, 1909, par. 4–5 Its instruction is to be put into practice with faithful exactitude where eternal interests are involved, never in a cheap, careless manner in gospel and school work.Ms 12, 1905, par. 19–21 Small mistakes must be corrected at once lest larger evils be regarded indifferently, and every task connected with the land, the buildings, and the teaching must be done well with every stroke.Ms 12, 1905, par. 19–21 God takes notice of such faithfulness as stewardship of His treasure and strengthens the ability to plan and execute in temporal matters.Ms 12, 1905, par. 19–21

Heeding the guidance of the chapter and putting it into practice safeguards families from the errors warned against in the churches.Ms 61, 1911, par. 6 The same proving of ministry by patient endurance under affliction, need, and hardship applies to intelligent canvassers as evangelists visiting from house to house to do all possible good.1MR 64.3–4 They are to educate themselves for the work and to press everywhere the light in Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, and Desire of Ages, dwelling on their precious truths to bring light to as many minds as possible.1MR 64.3–4 The patient, tried standard of patience in afflictions, necessities, and distresses is essential in church officers, for fitness proved in this way qualifies them to lead.Ms 1a, 1890, par. 38–39 The qualifications made essential in the deacon are equally essential in the elder, so an elder must meet this same standard and remain faithful to true principles despite opposition and trial.Ms 1a, 1890, par. 38–39+2

That faithfulness requires rebuking sin and holding to true principles without swerving for opposition or trial or for unsanctified preference and sympathy.EDFCP 17.2+1 It refuses partiality that excuses in one man what would be condemned in another, and refuses to entrust sacred office to one whose habits and practices are known to be wrong.EDFCP 17.2 It keeps pure by refusing to mingle with any unholy influence, lest by commending and appointing an unfit man there is sanction of his errors and sins and responsibility for his unfaithfulness in office and the resulting harm to the church.EDFCP 17.2 Ministering brethren are to heed this as precious Word by striving to be wise shepherds and by hiding themselves in Christ.Ms 59, 1902, par. 43–45 Applied to care for the sick, proving faithfulness in every part of the work means serving faithfully without bringing blame on the ministry, even when education and qualifications are limited and the work is humble.MH 116.3 That service is to be carried out cheerfully, lovingly, patiently, and hopefully, while resting when weary rather than exhausting oneself.Lt 187, 1901, par. 8–9

The way marked out for church members is to represent Christ in character by living the prayer of John 17, being kind, tender, loving, and Christlike so the world sees that God sent His Son to save sinners.Ms 24, 1905, par. 10–11 This requires correcting thoughts, words, and acts, taking self sternly in hand, and reading and practicing the Word, so others take knowledge that they have been with Jesus and have learned of Him.Ms 24, 1905, par. 10–11 The chapter is also a reproof and appeal to one whose whole life centers on self, who draws everything within reach and grasps every advantage, showing selfishness and spiritual deception of heart, spirit, soul, flesh, and bones and the peril brought to others.Lt 256, 1904, par. 4 It calls for falling on the Rock to be broken, humbling the heart without delay, surrendering whole heart, soul, strength, and mind to undo what was done, being broken for putting the Saviour to shame, and receiving the blessing offered, with hope still held out if there is yielding.Lt 256, 1904, par. 4