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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

Context of 2 Corinthians 4:16

14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

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 4:1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
• Psalms 27:13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
• Psalms 119:81My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
• Isaiah 40:29He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• 2 Corinthians 12:15So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
• Job 19:26And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
• Psalms 73:26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
• Isaiah 57:1The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
• Matthew 5:29If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
• Romans 7:22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;
• Ephesians 3:16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
• 1 Peter 3:4Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
• Psalms 51:10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
• Isaiah 40:31but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• Romans 12:2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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