2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

In these verses the apostle gives an account of their courage and patience under all their sufferings, where observe, I. How their sufferings, and patience under them, are declared, 2 Cor. 4:8-12. The apostles were great sufferers; therein they followed their Master: Christ had told them that in the world they should have tribulation, and so they had; yet they met with wonderful support, great relief, and many allays of their sorrows. ?We are,? says the apostle, ?troubled on every side,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

4:7-15 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power which surpasses all things may be seen to be of God and not of us. We are sore pressed at every point, but not hemmed in. We are at our wit's end, but never at our hope's end. We are persecuted by men, but never abandoned by God. We are knocked down, but not knocked out. In our bodies we have to run the same risk of death as Jesus Christ did, so that in our body the same life as Jesus lived may be clear for all to see. For... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

4:16-18 That is the reason why we do not grow weary. But if indeed our outward frame is wasting away, our inward self is renewed day by day, for the light affliction which at the moment we must endure produces for us in a way that cannot be exaggerated an eternal weight of glory, so long as we do not think of the things which are seen, but of the things which are unseen, for the things which are seen are passing, but the things which are unseen are eternal. Here Paul sets out the secret of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:13

We having the same Spirit of faith ,.... By faith here is meant, not the doctrine, but the grace of faith; a believing in the doctrines of the Gospel, and in the person of Christ; an exercise of that grace upon the death and resurrection of Christ; and particularly a looking by faith in full expectation of the saints' resurrection from the dead, and eternal glory, together with a reliance on the power, faithfulness, and promises of God to support under the afflictions of this life. Now of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:14

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus ,.... Besides having the same spirit of faith, mentioned in the preceding verse as a support under tribulation, the apostle proceeds in this, and some following verses, to take notice of other things which gave them relief under their pressures; such as the resurrection from the dead, all their afflictions being for the good of the churches and glory of God, the inward and comfortable experiences of the love and grace of God in the midst of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:15

For all things are for your sakes ;.... This is a very large and comprehensive expression, and reaches to all the things of Christ, as well as of his ministers. The incarnation, obedience, death, and resurrection of Christ, are all for the sake of God's elect; and so the ministry of his apostles and servants, their gifts, graces, comforts, and experiences; and so likewise all their reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions; see 2 Corinthians 1:6 . These were endured for their sakes, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:16

For which cause we faint not ,.... Since our afflictions are overruled for the good of others, and the glory of God, we are not discouraged by them; our spirits do not sink under the weight of them; we do not give out from the work of the ministry because of them, but go on cheerfully therein: and the more so, since though our outward man perish ; our outward circumstances of life are very mean and despicable; we are oftentimes in a very distressed condition through hunger, thirst,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction ,.... The difference between the present and future state of the saints is here expressed, the disparity between them shown, and the influence the one has upon the other. The present state is a state of "affliction". Affliction is the common lot of the children of men, but more especially of the children of God, and is here designed by "our" affliction; for these, besides their soul trouble, meet with such in the world, and from the men of it, others do not.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen ,.... These are the things of this world, such as riches, honours, pleasures, profits, &c.; which are visible to, and strike the senses of a natural man, and are temporal, endure but for a time, are transitory, fleeting, and quickly gone. To "look" at these things is to desire them, set the affections on them, and to make the enjoyment of them a man's chief scope and aim; and when this is the case, afflictions cannot be said to work for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:13

We having the same spirit of faith - As David had when he wrote Psalm 116:10 ; : I believed, therefore have I spoken: we also believe that we shall receive the fulfillment of all God's promises; and being fully convinced of the truth of the Christian religion, we speak and testify that our deliverance is from God; and that he does not fail those who trust in him, and that he saves to the uttermost them who come unto him through Christ Jesus. read more

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