Discovery Box2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Context4:7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power 1 belongs to God and does not come from us. 4:8 We are experiencing trouble on every side, 2 but are not crushed; we are perplexed, 3 but not driven to despair; 4:9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned; 4 we are knocked down, 5 but not destroyed, 4:10 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, 6 so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible 7 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 8 in our mortal body. 9 4:12 As a result, 10 death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 11
[4:7] 1 tn Grk “the surpassingness of the power”; δυνάμεως (dunamew") has been translated as an attributed genitive (“extraordinary power”).
[4:8] 2 tn Grk “we are hard pressed [by crowds] on every side.”
[4:9] 5 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).
[4:10] 6 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.”
[4:10] 7 tn Or “may also be revealed.”
[4:11] 8 tn Or “may also be revealed.”
[4:11] 9 tn Grk “mortal flesh.”
[4:12] 11 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.
