Why did Paul refuse to give offense in anything?
Paul refused to give offense in anything so that the ministry of reconciliation could never be blamed. He recognized the devil delights to besmirch a ministry, and that faults or failures cause the world to gloat. He therefore sought to keep his conduct blameless, lest anyone accuse him.
Les explains that Paul was speaking of giving no offense in anything so that the ministry, specifically the ministry of reconciliation, could never be blamed. Les teaches that nothing pleases the devil more than to besmirch or put a smudge on a ministry, whether it is a teacher's ministry, a local church, or a denomination. Once the devil can convince the world of faults and failures, he gloats, and the world gloats with him. Paul was constantly aware of that danger. He did not want anything to cause people to say, “Look what he’s doing.” He wanted to keep it blameless as much as he possibly could. Thus he would not give offense in anything, lest someone could turn around and accuse him, truthfully or untruthfully. The context also notes that Paul constantly had to defend his apostleship and was constantly being falsely accused.
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
More Questions
Why did Paul say he gave no offense in anything?
Paul refused to give offense in anything so that the ministry of reconciliation could never be blamed; he was aware of the danger of being discredited and did not want anything to cause people to say, 'Look what he's doing.'
What is the ministry Paul refers to when he says giving no offense in anything?
The ministry Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 6:3 is his ministry, the ministry of reconciliation, which he would not allow to be blamed.