2 Corinthians 6:3-11

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

New International Version (NIV)

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: 

I understand the point of not being a stumbling block as that has been addressed before by Paul in other portions of scripture.  Upon reaching the word commend I did not grasp it's use in the context.  Upon looking it up I learned that commend can mean "Present as suitable for approval or acceptance".  Now I can wrap my mind around Paul's point.

in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

I notice that Paul uses good things and bad.  His goal is to be worthy.  I am to assure that I present myself in a worth manner for God's glory no matter what occurs in my life.

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.¹² We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Am I withholding my heart from someone?  God if there is someone to whom I need to open my heart to, convict me of it.