2 Corinthians 6:4

συνιστάνοντες (BP, some cursives) rather than συνιστάντες (אCDFG) or συνιστῶντες (א3D3KL). The evidence in 2 Corinthians 4:2 is helpful here.

4. ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ συνιστάνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θ. δ. See critical note. But in everything (2 Corinthians 7:11; 2 Corinthians 7:16; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 11:9) commending ourselves, as God’s ministers (should do): διάκονοι, not σιακόνους, with emphasis on θεοῦ. Comp. 2 Corinthians 3:1. Again (comp. 2 Corinthians 4:8-12) he counts up his sufferings.

ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ κ. τ. λ. The repetition of ἐν eighteen times, διά thrice, ὡς seven times, is impressive. There is a rough grouping in the series. One of the main characteristics of his ministry is placed first, and then we have in three groups the ways in which the ὑπομονή is exhibited. In 2 Corinthians 6:6 he returns to the main characteristics, of which he mentions eight more. The changes to διά and to ὡς mark two other groups. Distinguish ὑπομονή from μακροθυμία in 2 Corinthians 6:6. The former is endurance of what is adverse, without complaining or losing heart: it is a brave patience (2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 12:12). The latter is endurance of injuries, without being provoked to anger or retaliation. Trench, Synonyms § liii. See Mayor on James 1:3.

ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν�, ἐν στενοχωρίαις. These are one of the fields in which ὑπομονή is shown. They are troubles which beset his work. For θλίψεις comp. 2 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:17. Obviously ἀνάγκαι are worse, as implying either that they cannot be avoided, or that, if they come, there is no escape (2 Corinthians 12:10; Job 5:19; Job 30:25; Ps. 24:17). But it is not clear that στενοχωρίαι are worse than ἀνάγκαι. In 2 Corinthians 4:8 he speaks of being θλιβόμενος�ʼ αὐ στενοχωρούμενος. Here he speaks of being subject to both degrees of pressure.