Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 6:4

4 But in all things approving our selves as the ministers of God , in much patience , in afflictions , in necessities , in distresses .

Ministers of the Gospel are in the first place to be considered as the Ministers of God, secondarily as Ministers and Servants of the Church; which they ought to serve so far, as in serving it they do obey Christ. None can approve, or commend themselves for Ministers of God that live a scandalous life: God hath not sent them to lay stumbling blocks in, but to remove them out of the way of men.

Patience signifies an enduring of Evils, quietly and cheerfully, at the command of God; or when we see it is the Will of God, we should patiently submit to put our necks into the heaviest Yokes. The Apostle goes on reckoning up several Species of those Evils:

Affliction is a general term signifying any Evils that wear out our Bodies.

Necessities signifie any bodily wants of food, or raiment, or whatever is for the use of mans life.

Distresses signifie properly a man's being straitned, or thrust up in a place, so as that he knoweth not how to steer himself; and, Metaphorically, a want of counsel, not knowing what to do, or which way to turn our selves.

Marginal references: Gr. commending, Chap. 4.2.; 1 Cor. 4.1.