But we have this treasure in jars of clay(A) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(B) and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side,(C) but not crushed; perplexed,(D) but not in despair; persecuted,(E) but not abandoned;(F) struck down, but not destroyed.(G) 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(H) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(I) 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(J) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.(K)

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But we have this treasure in [a](A)earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of (B)the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are (C)afflicted in every way, but not (D)crushed; (E)perplexed, but not despairing; (F)persecuted, but not (G)abandoned; (H)struck down, but not destroyed; 10 (I)always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that (J)the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:7 Or earthenware containers

But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. 12 So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you.

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But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

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We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so his life can also be seen in us. 12 This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.

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