2 Corinthians 4:7-12
New Living Translation
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.[a] This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 4:7 Greek We now have this treasure in clay jars.
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
New English Translation
An Eternal Weight of Glory
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power[a] belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are experiencing trouble on every side,[b] but are not crushed; we are perplexed,[c] but not driven to despair; 9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned;[d] we are knocked down,[e] but not destroyed, 10 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus,[f] so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible[g] in our body. 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[h] in our mortal body.[i] 12 As a result,[j] death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.[k]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 4:7 tn Grk “the surpassingness of the power”; δυνάμεως (dunameōs) has been translated as an attributed genitive (“extraordinary power”).
- 2 Corinthians 4:8 tn Grk “we are hard pressed [by crowds] on every side.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:8 tn Or “at a loss.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:9 tn Or “forsaken.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:9 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).
- 2 Corinthians 4:10 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.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:10 tn Or “may also be revealed.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:11 tn Or “may also be revealed.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:11 tn Grk “mortal flesh.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:12 tn Or “So then.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:12 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.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.