As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
The "as" no longer expresses the opinion of adversaries, but the real state of him and his fellow-labourers.
Making many rich - spiritually (1 Corinthians 1:5), after the example of our Lord, who 'by His poverty made many rich' (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Having nothing, х meeden (G3367), not ouden (G3762), which is objective; subjective, nothing in the opinion of the world]. The few earthly goods we have, moreover, we have as though we had not: as tenants removeable at will, not owners (1 Corinthians 7:30).
Possessing all things, х katechontes (G2722)] - holding fast in possession (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:21-22). The things of the present and the future are, in the truest sense, the believer's; for he possesses them all in Christ, his lasting possession, though the full fruition is reserved for eternity (Matthew 5:5-10; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8).