4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, 1 we do not become discouraged. 2
4:7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power 3 belongs to God and does not come from us. 4:8 We are experiencing trouble on every side, 4 but are not crushed; we are perplexed, 5 but not driven to despair; 4:9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned; 6 we are knocked down, 7 but not destroyed, 4:10 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, 8 so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible 9 in our body. 4:11 For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible 10 in our mortal body. 11 4:12 As a result, 12 death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13
1 tn Grk “just as we have been shown mercy”; ἠλεήθημεν (hlehqhmen) has been translated as a “divine passive” which is a circumlocution for God as the active agent. For clarity this was converted to an active construction with God as subject in the translation.
2 tn Or “we do not lose heart.”
3 tn Grk “the surpassingness of the power”; δυνάμεως (dunamew") has been translated as an attributed genitive (“extraordinary power”).
4 tn Grk “we are hard pressed [by crowds] on every side.”
5 tn Or “at a loss.”
6 tn Or “forsaken.”
7 tn Or “badly hurt.” It is possible to interpret καταβαλλόμενοι (kataballomenoi) here as “badly hurt”: “[we are] badly hurt, but not destroyed” (L&N 20.21).
8 tn The first clause of 2 Cor 4:10 is elliptical and apparently refers to the fact that Paul was constantly in danger of dying in the same way Jesus died (by violence at least). According to L&N 23.99 it could be translated, “at all times we live in the constant threat of being killed as Jesus was.”
9 tn Or “may also be revealed.”
10 tn Or “may also be revealed.”
11 tn Grk “mortal flesh.”
12 tn Or “So then.”
13 tn Grk “death is at work in us, but life in you”; the phrase “is at work in” is repeated in the translation for clarity.
14 tn Or “do not lose heart.”
15 tn Grk “our outer man.”
16 tn Grk “our inner [man].”