Verse To Abide In
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;”
2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV
Digging Deeper
Spurgeon's exposition - “We are troubled on every side.” There seems to be an allusion here to the Greek wrestling games. Sometimes, in wrestling, a man would be gripped by his adversary so that he could scarcely move hand or foot; yet bravely says the apostle, “We are not distressed,” or, as the original seems to suggest, “We still have a plan of overcoming our adversaries; though they seem to have got us entirely in their power, there is still something that we can do to obtain our release.” And he goes even further than that, for he says, “We are perplexed,” — it seemed as if there was nothing that he could do, yet he added, “but not in despair,” — “not altogether without help,” as the marginal reading renders it,-for, when he could do nothing, God could do everything. The death of creature-strength is the birth of omnipotent might....We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;- He is not so far gone as that. He sees the stormy billows raging around outside the ship everywhere, and the ship is tossed hither and thither upon the waves yet she does not leak, there is no water in the hold, and the waves will not sink the ship as long as she can keep them outside; and trouble will not distress us as long as we can obey our Lord’s injunction, “Let not your heart be troubled.” (Jn 14:27)
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 Commentary | Precept Austin
Let's Pray
Salvation belongs to you, our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Rev 7:10 ESV)! We worship you. We praise you. We bow our hearts to the Lord who rules over all (Ps 103:19), every situation and relationship and care that we have. Help us to grasp the fact that we have peace with you and to grasp the joy of reconciliation with you, through Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed. Thank you, for your grace that we can stand in firmly and safely and securely. Help us to rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of experiencing and enjoying your glory, the manifestation, the display of your excellence and power. And not only this, but help us even to exult in our sufferings with joy (!!!), knowing that hardship, distress, pressure, and trouble produces and strengthens patient endurance. May it be so in us! And may our endurance produce and strengthen our character and spiritual maturity. And as you develop that character in us may we see you continue to produce hope in our hearts, our confident hope of our salvation. Because this kind of hope will not disappoint. Because your love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit whom you have given us (Ro 5:1-5 AMP, ESV, NLT). Wow. You are a powerful and loving God. We humble ourselves under your mighty hand. We cast all our cares and anxieties to you because you care for us (1 Pt 5:6-7). We trust in you. In the name of Jesus, our hope and confidence (Jer 17:7-8 NLT). In your Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who testifies about the Son (Jn 15:26). Amen.