2 Corinthians 4:12

Contextual Overview

⁸We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁸ Wee are troubled on euery side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despaire, ⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁸ we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; ⁸ We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living. ⁸We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; ⁸ we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; ⁸in every way afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; ⁸We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

death: 2 Corinthians 12:15, 2 Corinthians 13:9, Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 4:10, Philippians 2:17, Philippians 2:30, 1 John 3:16

Cross-References

Genesis 4:3
As time passed, it happened that Kayin brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord .

Genesis 4:3
And in the course of time Cain brought an offering from the fruit of the ground to Yahweh,

Genesis 4:3
Later, Cain brought some food from the ground as a gift to God.

Genesis 4:3
At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord .

Genesis 4:3
And in the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground.

Genesis 4:3
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.

Genesis 4:3
And in processe of time it came to passe, that Kain brought an oblation vnto the Lorde of the fruite of the ground.

Genesis 4:3
So it happened in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh of the fruit of the ground.

Genesis 4:3
One day, Cain gave part of his harvest to the Lord ,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

So then death worketh in us,.... This is the conclusion of the foregoing account, or the inference deduced from it; either the death, or dying of Christ, that is, the sufferings of his body, the church, for his sake, ενεργειται, "is wrought in us"; fulfilled and perfected in us; see Colossians 1:24 or rather a corporeal death has seized upon us; the seeds of death are in us; our flesh, our bodies are mortal, dying off apace; death has already attacked us, is working on our constitutions gradually, and unpinning our tabernacles, which in a short time will be wholly took down and laid in the dust:

but life in you. Some understand these words as spoken ironically, like those in 1 Corinthians 4:8 but the apostle seems not to be speaking in such a strain, but in the most serious manner, and about things solemn and awful; and his meaning is, ours is the sorrow, the trouble, the affliction, and death itself, yours is the gain, the joy, the pleasure, and life; what we get by preaching the Gospel are reproach, persecution, and death; but this Gospel we preach at such expense is the savour of life unto life to you, and is the means of maintaining spiritual life in your souls, and of nourishing you up unto eternal life; and which is no small encouragement to us to go on in our work with boldness and cheerfulness: or these words regard the different state and condition of the apostle, and other ministers, and of the Corinthians; the one were in adversity, and the other in prosperity.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

So then death worketh in us - We are exposed to death. The preaching of the gospel exposes us to trials which may be regarded as death working in us. Death has an energy over us (ἐνεργεῖται energeitai, is at work, is active, or operates); it is constantly employed in inflicting pains on us, and subjecting us to privation and trials. This is a strong and emphatic mode of saying that they were always exposed to death. We are called to serve and glorify the Redeemer, as it were, by repeated deaths and by constantly dying.

But life in you - You live as the effect of our being constantly exposed to death. You reap the advantage of all our exposure to trials, and of all our sufferings. You are comparatively safe; are freed from this exposure to death; and will receive eternal life as the fruit of our toils, and exposures. Life here may refer either to exemption from danger and death; or it may refer to the life of religion; the hopes of piety; the prospect of eternal salvation. To me it seems most probable that Paul means to use it in the latter sense, and that he designs to say that while he was exposed to death and called to endure constant trial, the effect would be that they would obtain, in consequence of his sufferings, the blessedness of eternal life; compare 2 Corinthians 4:15. Thus understood, this passage means, that the sufferings and self-denials of the apostles were for the good of others, and would result in their benefit and salvation; and the design of Paul here is to remind them of his sufferings in their behalf, in order to conciliate their favor and bind them more closely to him by the remembrance of his sufferings on their account.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 4:12. Death worketh in us, c.] We apostles are in continual danger, and live a dying life while you who have received this Gospel from us are in no danger.