2 Corinthians 4:8-12 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:12

Death 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 more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:8

Verse 8 8.While we are pressed on every side. This is added by way of explanation, for he shows, that his abject condition is so far from detracting from the glory of God, that it is the occasion of advancing it. “We are reduced,” says he, “to straits, but the Lord at length opens up for us an outlet; (467) we are oppressed with poverty, but the Lord affords us help. Many enemies are in arms against us, but under God’s protection we are safe. In fine, though we are brought low, so that it might... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:10

Verse 10 10.The mortification of Jesus (470) He says more than he had done previously, for he shows, that the very thing that the false apostles used as a pretext for despising the gospel, was so far from bringing any degree of contempt upon the gospel, that it tended even to render it glorious. For he employs the expression — the mortification of Jesus Christ — to denote everything that rendered him contemptible in the eyes of the world, with the view of preparing him for participating in a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:12

Verse 12 12.Hence death indeed. This is said ironically, because it was unseemly that the Corinthians should live happily, and in accordance with their desire, and that they should, free from anxiety, take their ease, while in the mean time Paul was struggling with incessant hardships. (477) Such an allotment would certainly have been exceedingly unreasonable. It was also necessary that the folly of the Corinthians should be reproved, inasmuch as they contrived to themselves a Christianity... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

Glory of the ministry in the midst of its weakness and suffering. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:8

Troubled ; afflicted, as in 2 Corinthians 1:4 . On every side; in everything . Distressed ; rather, driven to straits . Perplexed, but not in despair. In the original is a beautiful paronomasia, which might, perhaps, be represented in English by "pressed, but not oppressed." Literally the words mean, being at a loss, but not utterly at a loss . In the special anguish of trial of which he spoke in 2 Corinthians 1:8 , he was indeed for a time "utterly at a loss,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:9

Not forsaken. St. Paul, like the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, knew by blessed experience the truth of the promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" ( Hebrews 13:5 , Hebrews 13:6 ). Cast down. Flung to the ground, as in some lost battle; yet not doomed, not "perishing." "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" ( Psalms 37:24 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:10

The dying of the Lord Jesus; literally, the putting to death (Vulgate, mortificatio ). This is even stronger than 2 Corinthians 1:5 . It is not only "the sufferings," but even "the dying," of Christ of which his true followers partake ( Romans 8:36 , "For thy sake are we killed all the day long"). St. Paul, who was "in deaths oft" ( 2 Corinthians 11:23 ), was thus being made conformable unto Christ's death ( Philippians 3:10 ). Philo, too, compares life to "the daily carrying... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:11

For Jesus' sake. St. Paul, as Bengel says, constantly thus repeats the name of Jesus, as one who felt its sweetness. The verse contains a reassertion and amplification of what he has just said. In our mortal flesh . This is added almost by way of climax. The life of Jesus is manifested, not only "in our body, " but even by way of triumph in its lowest and poorest element. God manifests life in our dying, and death in our living (Alford). read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:11

Group of Brands