2 Corinthians 4:8

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [ Thlibomenoi (G2346) all' (G235) ou (G3756) stenochooroumenoi (G4729)] 'BEING hard pressed, yet not reduced, to inextricable straits' (nominative to "we have," 2 Corinthians 4:7). ON EVERY SIDE - Greek, 'in every respect' (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:10, "always"). This verse expresses inward distresses, next verse outward distresses ...

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 seem as if all were over with us, (468) still we do not perish.” The last is the severest of all. You see, how he turns to his own advantage every charge that the wicked bring against him. (469)...

8-12 The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus. In comparison with them, other Christians were, even at that time, in prosperous circumstances....

Verse 2 Corinthians 4:8. We are _TROUBLED ON EVERY SIDE_] We have already seen, in the notes on the ninth chapter of the preceding epistle, that St. Paul has made several allusions to those _public games_ which were celebrated every _fifth_ year at the _Isthmus_ of _Corinth_; and those games have been in that place particularly described. In this and the three following verses the apostle makes allusion to the contests at those games; and the terms which he employs in these verses cannot be understood but in reference to those _agonistical_ exercises to which he alludes. Dr. Hammond has explained the whole on this ground; and I shall here borrow his help. There are _four pairs_ of expressions taken from the customs of the _agones_. 1. _Troubled on every side, yet not distressed_. 2. Perplexed, but not in despair

WE ARE TROUBLED - We the apostles. Paul here refers to some of the trials to which he and his fellow laborers were subjected in making known the gospel. The “design” for which he does it seems to be to show them: * What they endured in preaching the truth; * To show the sustaining power of that gospel in the midst of afflictions; and, * To conciliate their favor, or to remind them that they had endured these things on their account, 2 Corinthians 4:12. Perhaps one leading design was to recover the affections of those of the Corinthians whose heart had been alienated from him, by showing them how much he had endured on their account. For this purpose he freely opens his heart to them, and tenderly represents the many and grievous pressures and hardships to which l

EXPOSITION The glory of the gospel ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1), which sustains the hearts of Christ's ministers among all weaknesses and trials (2 Corinthians 4:7), especially by the faith in things unseen (2 Corinthians 4:16). 2 CORINTHIANS 4:1 THEREFORE. Because of the freedom and open vision of the gospel. AS WE HAVE RECEIVED MERCY. Gratitude for a mercy so undeserved (1 Timothy 1:13) makes us fearless and vigorous in a minis

WE ARE TROUBLED ON EVERY SIDE,.... Or afflicted; εν παντι, either "in every place", wherever we are, into whatsoever country, city, or town we enter, we are sure to meet with trouble, of one sort or another; for wherever we be, we are in the world, in which we must expect tribulation: or "always", every day and hour we live, as in 2 Corinthians 4:10 we are never free from one trial or another: or "by everyone"; by all sorts of persons, good and bad, professors and profane, open persecutors and false brethren; yea, some of the dear children of God, weak believers, give us trouble: or "with every sort" of trouble, inward and outward; trouble from the world, the flesh and the devil: YET NOT DISTRESSED; so as to have no hope, or see no way of escape; so as to have no manner of comfort, or manifestations of the love of God; or so as to be straitened in our own souls

2 Corinthians 4:1. _Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;_ It is a very high privilege to be called to the work of the Christian ministry, and when the minister remembers what great mercy he has himself received, what sins have been forgiven, what favors have been bestowed, he has the very best incentives in all the world to pursue his ministry with diligence and with zeal. «We faint not,» says the apostle. We do not hang our harps upon the willows. We do not pray to be allowed to retire from the battle, and give up the strife; but, feeling how great has been the mercy of God to our own souls, we are stirred up to press forward with holy zeal to win the victory. We long that others may taste of the same good things on which we have feasted....

5. THE CHARACTER OF THE TRUE MINISTRY. CHAPTER 4 _ 1. The Gospel of the Glory of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:1)_ 2. The Treasure in Earthen Vessels; Weakness and Power. (2 Corinthians 4:7) 3. Resurrection and Coming Glory. (2 Corinthians 4:13 .) This ministry which the apostle mentions is the ministry of the Gospel. And those who know it by having received mercy are to be the witnesses. Every Christian who has obtained mercy, who is saved by grace, is called to witness to this blessed fact in some way. “We faint not”--we are not discouraged, but encouraged to go on in its proclamation, knowing that it is a sweet savor unto God and the power of God unto salv

It is true that the splendid character of this ministry is for the present obscured by the earthly and physical conditions under which it is discharged. Paul is conscious that this disability is specially marked in his case. His opponents had probably good reason for saying his bodily presence is weak (2 Corinthians 10:10; 1 Corinthians 15:8 *). 2 Corinthians 10 f. refers frequently to infirmities, and specially to the thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7 *) which was a sore trial to him. But Paul sees in it the working of God's will, that there might be no doubt as to the true source of the power he exercised; it came not from Paul but from God. And this Divine power works not only through h