Cast Down but Unconquered

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, (A)that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are (B)hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not (C)forsaken; (D)struck down, but not destroyed— 10 (E)always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, (F)that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live (G)are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have (H)the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, (I)“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that (J)He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For (K)all things are for your sakes, that (L)grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible

16 Therefore we (M)do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is (N)being renewed day by day. 17 For (O)our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 (P)while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Read full chapter

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)

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[a](L) Since we have that same spirit of[b] faith,(M) we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead(N) will also raise us with Jesus(O) and present us with you to himself.(P) 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving(Q) to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(R) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(S) we are being renewed(T) day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(U) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,(V) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given