2 Corinthians 4:15-17

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 4:15

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:15

For all things are for your sakes - We proclaim all these truths and bear all these sufferings for your sakes, thinking all our sufferings nothing if we can gain converts to Christ, and build believers up on their most holy faith. That the abundant grace - Ἡ χαρις πλεονασασα· The abounding benefit - the copious outpouring of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, by which you have been favored and enriched, may, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God: i.e.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:16

For which cause we faint not - Ουκ εκκα κουμεν . See on 2 Corinthians 4:1 ; (note). Here we have the same various reading; εγκακουμεν , 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 more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, etc. - Mr. Blackwall, in his sacred classics, has well illustrated this passage. I shall here produce his paraphrase as quoted by Dr. Dodd: "This is one of the most emphatic passages in all St. Paul's writings, in which he speaks as much like an orator as he does as an apostle. The lightness of the trial is expressed by το ελαφρον της θλιψεως , the lightness of our affliction; as if he had said, it is even levity itself in such a comparison. On the other hand, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:15

Verse 15 15.For all things are for your sakes He now associates himself with the Corinthians, not merely in the hope of future blessedness, but also in these very afflictions, in which they might seem to differ from him most widely, for he lets them know, that, if he is afflicted, it is for their benefit. Hence it follows, that there was good reason why they should transfer part of them to themselves. What Paul states, depends first of all on that secret fellowship, which the members of Christ... read more

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