II Corinthians 4:9
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persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
not forsaken--by God and man. Jesus was forsaken by both; so much do His sufferings exceed those of His people (Mat 27:46). cast down--or "struck down"; not only "persecuted," that is, chased as a deer or bird (Sa1 26:20), but actually struck down as with a dart in the chase (Heb 11:35-38). The Greek "always" in this verse means, "throughout the whole time"; in Co2 4:11 the Greek is different, and means, "at every time," "in every case when the occasion occurs."
Open source ↗In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the constancy of the apostle and his fellow-labourers in their work. Their constancy in declared (Co2 4:1), their sincerity is vouched (Co2 4:2), an objection is obviated (Co2 4:3, Co2 4:4), and their integrity proved (Co2 4:5-7). II. Of their courage and patience under their sufferings. Where see what their sufferings were, together with their allays (Co2 4:8-12), and what it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under them (Co2 4:13 to the end).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride.
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?