2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:9

9. not forsaken—by God and man. Jesus was forsaken by both; so much do His sufferings exceed those of His people (Matthew 27:46). cast down—or "struck down"; not only "persecuted," that is, chased as a deer or bird (1 Samuel 26:20), but actually struck down as with a dart in the chase (1 Samuel 26:20- :). The Greek "always" in this verse means, "throughout the whole time"; in 1 Samuel 26:20- : the Greek is different, and means, "at every time," "in every case when the occasion occurs." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

3. The sufferings and supports of a minister of the gospel 4:7-5:10Paul proceeded to explain further the nature of ministry under the New Covenant so his readers would understand his ministry and theirs better. The nature of Christianity is paradoxical. Second Corinthians explains more of these paradoxes than any other New Testament book.In writing this epistle Paul wanted his readers to realize that his ministry was not faulty, as his critics charged, but that it was solidly within the will of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

The contrast between the message and the messenger 4:7-15Paul presented many paradoxical contrasts involved in the sufferings and supports of the Christian to clarify for his readers the real issues involved in serving Jesus Christ."This passage, which is about suffering and death (2 Corinthians 4:7-12), stands in stark contrast with the theme of ’glory’ so brilliantly developed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:7 to 2 Corinthians 4:6, to which he also will return in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18." [Note:... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Paul pointed out four specific ways in which the weakness of his earthen vessel contrasted with God’s power (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 1:10). He may have been thinking of himself as a gladiator or soldier in view of what he wrote. He had been on the ropes but not trapped in a corner. He was without proper provision but not completely without resources. He was a hunted man but not totally forsaken. Finally he felt beaten down but not destroyed. In these respects his life, representing... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

1-6. The messengers of this gospel are not afraid to proclaim it, for they preach Christ, who has revealed the glory of God.1, 2. Paraphrase. ’Having this glorious gospel to preach, we proclaim it boldly. (2) We have nothing to do with methods and practices which cannot bear the light (like those of your false teachers), for we neither seek to undo another’s work by unscrupulous hints and disgraceful insinuations, nor try to gain the favour of the Jewish Christians by false teaching about the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Corinthians 4:8

(8) We are troubled on every side.—The Greek presents all the clauses in a participial form, in apposition with the “we” with which 2 Corinthians 4:7 opens. The careful antithesis in each case requires some modification of the English version in order to be at all adequately expressed. Hemmed-in in everything, yet not straitened for room perplexed, yet not baffled; or, as it has been rendered, less literally, but with great vividness, bewildered, but not benighted. The imagery in both clauses... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Corinthians 4:9

(9) Persecuted, but not forsaken.—Better, perhaps, as expressing in both terms of the clause the condition of a soldier on the field of battle, pursued, yet not abandoned. The next clause is again distinctly military, or, perhaps, agonistic: stricken down (as the soldier by some dart or javelin), yet not perishing. In the “faint, yet pursuing,” of Judges 8:4, we have an antithesis of the same kind in a narrative of actual warfare. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

The Triumph of Continuance 2 Corinthians 4:1 'We all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as from a Lord who is Spirit.' St. Paul follows these sublime words with a reference to his own life labour. 'Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.' 'We faint not.' We expect, perhaps, a clearer, prouder, more triumphant note. The word, for its place, seems tame and quiet The... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Chapter 12THE VICTORY OF FAITH.2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (R.V)IN the opening verses of this chapter Paul has magnified his office, and his equipment for it. He has risen to a great height, poetic and spiritual, in speaking of the Lord of glory, and of the light which shines from His face for the illumining and redemption of men. The disproportion between his own nature and powers, and the high calling to which he has been called, flashes across his mind. It is quite possible that this disproportion,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

5. The Character of the True Ministry. CHAPTER 4 1. The Gospel of the Glory of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ) 2. The Treasure in Earthen Vessels; Weakness and Power. (2 Corinthians 4:7-12 ) 3. Resurrection and Coming Glory. (2 Corinthians 4:13-18 .) This ministry which the apostle mentions is the ministry of the Gospel. And those who know it by having received mercy are to be the witnesses. Every Christian who has obtained mercy, who is saved by grace, is called to witness to this blessed... read more

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