Amplified Bible
2 Corinthians 4:8
8We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair;
2 Corinthians 4:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
- New International Version (NIV)We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
- English Standard Version (ESV)We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
- New King James Version (NKJV)We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Context of 2 Corinthians 4:8
6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ. 7But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 4:8 word by word
ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι ἀλλ᾽ οὐ στενοχωρούμενοι, ἀπορούμενοι ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἐξαπορούμενοι,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:8
- 2 Corinthians 1:8For we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about our trouble in [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor], how we were utterly weighed down, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life [itself].
- 2 Corinthians 6:4but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,
- 2 Corinthians 7:5For even when we arrived in Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they [self-proclaimed] servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if I were out of my mind—I am more so [for I exceed them]; with far more labors, with far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, and often in danger of death.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].
- 1 Samuel 28:15Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are making war against me, and God has left me and no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you to make known to me what I should do.”
- 1 Samuel 30:6Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God.
- Psalms 56:2My enemies have trampled upon me all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me.
- Proverbs 14:26In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will [always] have a place of refuge.
- Proverbs 18:10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].
- Romans 5:3And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;
- Romans 8:35Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
- James 1:2Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.
- 1 Peter 1:6In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
- 1 Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8We are troubled on every side - We have already seen, in the notes on the ninth chapter of the preceding epistle, that St. Paul has made several allusions to those public games which were celebrated every fifth year at the Isthmus of Corinth; and those games have been in that place particularly described. In this and the three following verses the apostle makes allusion to the contests at those games; and the terms which he employs in these verses cannot…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8We are troubled - We the apostles. Paul here refers to some of the trials to which he and his fellow laborers were subjected in making known the gospel. The “design” for which he does it seems to be to show them: (1)What they endured in preaching the truth; (2)To show the sustaining power of that gospel in the midst of afflictions; and, (3)To conciliate their favor, or to remind them that they had endured these things on their account, 2 Corinthians…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-12Verses 8-12 The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and of grace in…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Greek, "BEING hard pressed, yet not inextricably straitened; reduced to inextricable straits" (nominative to "we have," 2Co 4:7). on every side--Greek, "in every respect" (compare 2Co 4:10, "always"; 2Co 7:5). This verse expresses inward distresses; 2Co 4:9, outward distresses (2Co 7:5). "Without were fightings; within were fears." The first clause in each member of the series of contrasted participles, implies the earthiness of the vessels; the second…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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