2 Corinthians 4:8-12

4:8 We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; 4:9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, 4:10 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. 4:11 For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body. 4:12 As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 10 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

4:16 Therefore we do not despair, 11  but even if our physical body 12  is wearing away, our inner person 13  is being renewed day by day. 4:17 For our momentary, light suffering 14  is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison 4:18 because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.


tn Grk “we are hard pressed [by crowds] on every side.”

tn Or “at a loss.”

tn Or “forsaken.”

tn Or “badly hurt.” It is possible to interpret καταβαλλόμενοι (kataballomenoi) here as “badly hurt”: “[we are] badly hurt, but not destroyed” (L&N 20.21).

tn The first clause of 2 Cor 4:10 is elliptical and apparently refers to the fact that Paul was constantly in danger of dying in the same way Jesus died (by violence at least). According to L&N 23.99 it could be translated, “at all times we live in the constant threat of being killed as Jesus was.”

tn Or “may also be revealed.”

tn Or “may also be revealed.”

tn Grk “mortal flesh.”

tn Or “So then.”

10 tn Grk “death is at work in us, but life in you”; the phrase “is at work in” is repeated in the translation for clarity.

11 tn Or “do not lose heart.”

12 tn Grk “our outer man.”

13 tn Grk “our inner [man].”

14 tn Grk “momentary lightness of affliction.”