God’s Word Translation
2 Corinthians 4:12
12Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2 Corinthians 4:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
- New International Version (NIV)So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
- English Standard Version (ESV)So death is at work in us, but life in you.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So then death is working in us, but life in you.
Context of 2 Corinthians 4:12
10We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our bodies. 11While we are alive, we are constantly handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our mortal nature. Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13The following is written, “I believed; therefore, I spoke.” We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak. 14We know that the one who brought the Lord Jesus back to life will also bring us back to life through Jesus. He will present us to God together with you.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 4:12 word by word
ὥστε ὁ θάνατος ἐν ἡμῖν ἐνεργεῖται, ἡ δὲ ζωὴ ἐν ὑμῖν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:12
- 2 Corinthians 12:15I will be very glad to spend whatever I have. I’ll even give myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much?
- 2 Corinthians 13:9We’re glad when we are weak and you are strong. We are also praying for your improvement.
- Acts 20:24But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
- Philippians 2:17My life is being poured out as a part of the sacrifice and service ⌞I offer to God⌟ for your faith. Yet, I am filled with joy, and I share that joy with all of you.
- 1 John 3:16We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Death worketh in us, etc. - We apostles are in continual danger, and live a dying life; while you who have received this Gospel from us are in no danger.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12So then death worketh in us - We are exposed to death. The preaching of the gospel exposes us to trials which may be regarded as death working in us. Death has an energy over us ( ̓͂ energeitaiis at work, is active, or operates); it is constantly employed in inflicting pains on us, and subjecting us to privation and trials. This is a strong and emphatic mode of saying that they were always exposed to death. We are called to serve and glorify the Redeemer…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
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Throughout his life of danger and exposure to mortal peril (see 1 Corinthians 15:30), Paul strengthened the faith of Christians in the churches he founded (compare Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 2:10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. The "death" of Christ manifested in the continual "perishing of our outward man" (2Co 4:16), works peculiarly in us, and is the means of working spiritual "life" in you. The life whereof we witness in our bodily dying, extends beyond ourselves, and is brought by our very dying to you.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:12
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries