2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Context

An Eternal Weight of Glory

4:7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power¹ 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 visible⁷ 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 visible⁸ 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

2 Corinthians 4:17

Context
4:17 For our momentary, light suffering¹² is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison

[4:7] ¹tn Grk “the surpassingness of the power”; δυνάμεως (dunamew") has been translated as an attributed genitive (“extraordinary power”).

[4:8] ²tn Grk “we are hard pressed [by crowds] on every side.”

[4:8] ³tn Or “at a loss.”

[4:9] ⁴tn Or “forsaken.”

[4:9] ⁵tn 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] ⁶tn 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] ⁷tn Or “may also be revealed.”

[4:11] ⁸tn Or “may also be revealed.”

[4:11] ⁹tn Grk “mortal flesh.”

[4:12] ¹⁰tn Or “So then.”

[4:12] ¹¹tn Grk “death is at work in us, but life in you”; the phrase “is at work in” is repeated in the translation for clarity.

[4:17] ¹²tn Grk “momentary lightness of affliction.”