2 Corinthians 4:16

2 Corinthians 4:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Context of 2 Corinthians 4:16

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. 15All this is for your sake so that, as God’s kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God. That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. 17Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. 18We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16 word by word

διὸ οὐκ ἐγκακοῦμεν· ἀλλ᾽ εἰ καὶ ὁ ἔξω ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος διαφθείρεται, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ ἔσω ἡμῶν ἀνακαινοῦται ἡμέρᾳ καὶ ἡμέρᾳ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• For which causeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• we faintἐκκακέωekkakeō · to lose heartG1573
• notοὐou · noG3756
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• thoughεἰei · ifG1487
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• outwardἔξωexō · out/outside(r)G1854
• manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• perishδιαφθείρωdiaphtheirō · to destroyG1311
• the inwardἔσωθενesōthen · inwardlyG2081
• is renewedἀνακαινόωanakainoō · to renewG341
• dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:16

• 2 Corinthians 4:1We don’t become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy.
• Psalms 27:13I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in this world of the living.
• Psalms 119:81My soul is weak from waiting for you to save me. My hope is based on your word.
• Isaiah 40:29He gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation ⌞of your faith⌟. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.
• 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?
• Job 19:26Even after my skin has been stripped off my body, I will see God in my own flesh.
• Psalms 73:26My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever.
• Isaiah 57:1Righteous people die, and no one cares. Loyal people are taken away, and no one understands. Righteous people are spared when evil comes.
• Matthew 5:29“So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it thrown into hell.
• Romans 7:22I take pleasure in God’s standards in my inner being.
• Ephesians 3:16I’m asking God to give you a gift from the wealth of his glory. I pray that he would give you inner strength and power through his Spirit.
• 1 Peter 3:4Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious.
• Psalms 51:10Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me.
• Isaiah 40:31Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.
• Romans 12:2Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16For which cause we faint not - . See on 2 Corinthians 4:1; (note). Here we have the same various reading; , we do no wickedness; and it is supported by BDEFG, and some others: but it is remarkable that Mr. Wakefield follows the common reading here, though the various-reading is at least as well supported in this verse as in verse first. The common reading, faint not, appears to agree best with the apostle's meaning. But though our outward man - That is…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16For which cause - With such an object in view, and sustained by such elevated purposes and desires. The sense is, that the purpose of trying to save as many as possible would make toil easy, privations welcome, and would be so accompanied by the grace of God, as to gird the soul with strength, and fill it with abundant consolations. We faint not - For an explanation of the word used here, see the note on 2 Corinthians 4:1. We are not exhausted…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in times of trouble. They knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an earnest and assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrection will encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death. Also, their sufferings were for the advantage of the church, and to God's glory. The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching and conversation…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17we do not lose heart: This call to endurance comes with a reminder of what the future holds (5:1–10). The human body naturally ages and deteriorates, and Paul was especially worn down both physically and emotionally (4:8–12). But he experienced daily renewal. His spirit was refreshed and revitalized by God's power.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. we faint not--notwithstanding our sufferings. Resuming 2Co 4:1. outward man--the body, the flesh. perish--"is wearing away"; "is wasted away" by afflictions. inward man--our spiritual and true being, the "life" which even in our mortal bodies (2Co 4:11) "manifests the life of Jesus." is renewed--"is being renewed," namely, with fresh "grace" (2Co 4:15), and "faith" (2Co 4:13), and hope (2Co 4:17, 18).Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:16

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Assurance
• Faith
• Man
• Suffering
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Inward Man
• Outward Man
• Afflictions
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Craftiness
• Despair
• Dishonesty
• Distress
• Heaven
• Light

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