2 Coríntios 4
William Barclay · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 4:1-2
Barclay: Since therefore this part of God’s service has been given to us, even as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (Westminster Press) The Living Bible It is God himself, in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work of telling his Good News to others, and so we never give up. God's Word: We don't become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy. (GWT) Easy English: God in his *mercy has given us this work to do. As a result, we do not lose hope. ESV: Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. (ESV) KJV: Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; NET: Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged. (NET Bible) NIV: Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. (NIV - IBS) NLT: Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.. (NLT - Tyndale House) NEB SEEING THEN that we have been entrusted with this commission, which we owe entirely to God’s mercy, we never lose heart.
2 Coríntios 4:1-2
Barclay has an interesting note - Paul says that he never loses heart in the great task that has been given to him, and by implication he tell us why. Two things keep him going. (a) There is the consciousness of a great task. A man who is conscious of a great task can do amazing things. One of the great works of musical genius is Handel’s Messiah. It is on record that the whole work was composed and written down in twenty-two days, and that during all that time Handel would scarcely consent to eat or to sleep. A great task brings its own strength with it. (ED: TRUE BUT ULTIMATELY IT IS GOD'S SPIRIT WHO ENERGIZES SUCH AMAZING WORK) (b) There is the memory of mercy received. It was Paul’s aim to spend all his life seeking to do something for the love which had redeemed him (ED: NOT IN THE SENSE THAT HE FELT HE NEEDED TO PAY GOD BACK BUT FROM A HEART MOTIVATED BY LOVE AND THANKSGIVING, ALL ENERGIZED BY GOD'S SPIRIT). (The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press) We have this ministry - But what is "this ministry"? What ministry? Paul had just reminded the saints that the ministry (diakonia) of the New Covenant which he had received (1Ti 1:12, Ac 9:15) was "the ministry (diakonia) of the Spirit" (2Co 3:8) and in chapter 5 adds that it was "the ministry of reconciliation" (2Co 5:18). He also succinctly documented the superiority of the New Covenant ministry compared to the Old Covenant ministry of Moses. (See chart summarizing the superior nature of the New Covenant) As alluded to above Paul's statement that "we have this ministry" implies that it was something he had received. It was a gift from God, a gift that was grounded in God's great mercy. None of us receive ministry based on anything meritorious we have done, and Paul never lost sight of this great truth (and neither should we -- which is always a potential danger when we experience a modicum of success!) In his last written communication (2 Timothy) we read "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus." (2Ti 1:1+) R Kent Hughes rightly notes that Paul's New Covenant ministry so surpassed the Old Covenant because "it effected a removal of the veil of unbelief, the liberation of the Holy Spirit, and transformation into the image of the Lord. Having a ministry of such splendor left Paul with no place for faintheartedness but only for boldness (cf. 2Co 3:12)." (2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness. Preaching the Word) A T Robertson feels that the use of the plural ("we" is used throughout this chapter) is the so-called literary plural and adds "Can he not speak for all of us?" Some feel that "we" instead of "I" is an expression of Paul's humility, which is a reasonable interpretation in view of the personal way in which he is forced to defend his ministry. Utley on we have this ministry - Paul is referring to “the ministry of the Spirit” (cf. 3:8), also called “the ministry of righteousness” (cf. 3:9). Paul uses this word for service, diakonia, so often in II Corinthians. Christians are saved to serve (cf. Eph. 2:10). Christianity is not a “what’s in it for me” focus as much as “what can I do for others because of what Christ has done for me” focus. Paul served and called to service (cf. Gal. 2:20). See Special Topic: Servant Leadership (2 Corinthians 4 Commentary) Paul's willingness to carry out his ministry illustrates how he imitated His Lord for Jesus' high and holy purpose was not "to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45+) Paul calls all us to imitate the example he imitated declaring "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." (1 Cor 11:1+) Ministry (1248)(diakonia see verb diakoneo) means the rendering or assistance or help by performing certain duties, often of a humble or menial nature serve, including such mundane activities as waiting on tables or caring for household needs—activities without apparent dignity. It is good to remember the cultural context for in Grecian through diakonia was not a dignified term. The service associated with diakonia involved dependence, submission, and constraints of time and freedom, which cause the Greeks to regard diakonia as degrading and dishonorable. Service for the public good was honored, but "voluntary giving of oneself in service of one’s fellow man is alien to Greek thought. The highest goal before a man was the development of his own personality. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) To the Greek mind, mundane service was not considered to be a proper purpose for a man's life. The formula of the sophist expressed the prevalent Greek philosophy -- "How can a man be happy when he has to serve someone?". Paul would likely respond "How can a man be blessed unless he is a servant of all?" (cp Acts 20:35+) Surprisingly, Judaism had no philosophy of ministry involving diakonia. Instead, Judaism adopted a philosophy of service not unlike that of the Greeks. If service was rendered at all, it was done as an act of social obligation or as an act to those more worthy. A superior would not stoop to become a servant! Though Judaism in the time of Jesus knew and practiced its social responsibilities, e.g., to the poor, this was done mainly by alms, not by service (cf. Lk 10:30-35). Lowly service such as waiting on tables, was beneath the dignity of a free man (cf. Lk 7:44ff). Sometimes, the "greater" would wait on a table, but this was unusual. Thus Jesus' example introduced a radical new attitude toward diakonia. Diakonia - Used 7x in 2 Corinthians. Diakonia is primarily a Pauline word (>2/3's of the 32 uses in NT) - Lk. 10:40; Acts 1:17; Acts 1:25; Acts 6:1; Acts 6:4; Acts 11:29; Acts 12:25; Acts 20:24; Acts 21:19; Rom. 11:13; Rom. 12:7; Rom. 15:31; 1 Co. 12:5; 1 Co. 16:15; 2 Co. 3:7; 2 Co. 3:8; 2 Co. 3:9; 2 Co. 4:1; 2 Co. 5:18; 2 Co. 6:3; 2 Co. 8:4; 2 Co. 9:1; 2 Co. 9:12; 2 Co. 9:13; 2 Co. 11:8; Eph. 4:12; Col. 4:17; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:11; Heb. 1:14; Rev. 2:19 In the NT, a diakonos is one who by choice comes under the authority of his Master and who serves as did His Master served (Mk 10:45+, cp 1Co 4:16+ 1Co 11:1+). Paul emphasized this philosophy of ministry in his parting words to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17) declaring... I esteem my life of absolutely no account as precious to myself in order that I [LIKE A GREEK RUNNER SEEKING THE PRIZE] may finish my race, even the ministering work (diakonia) which I received from the presence of the Lord Jesus (Acts 9:15 16 Acts 22:21 Acts 26:17-18) to bear testimony to the good news of the grace of God (THE GOSPEL). (Acts 20:24+ Eerdmans Publishing) Comment: Beloved we are all called to be in a ministry of some sort (we are certainly called to bear testimony of the good news of the grace of God with our life and our lips - cp 1Pe 2:9+), for all believers are called to walk in Jesus' steps (1Pe 2:21+), in a life of service to others (Php 2:5, 6, 7+). Given that this ministry is a "race" and we each get only one opportunity (~one life) to run this race course, the question is...Beloved, how are you running? Have you laid aside the encumbrances (non-essentials, not bad things, just not the best things) of this life and the sin which so easily entangles you? Are you running with endurance? (Heb 12:1+, It's too soon to quit - see Gal 6:7+, Ga 6:8+, Ga 6:9, 10+) Are you fixing your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2+), learning to strive according to His power which mightily works within you? (Col 1:29+) Are you running in such a way that you might not be disqualified (not loss of salvation, but loss of reward - cp 1Co 3:15+, 2Jn 1:8 2Co 5:10+)? (1Co 9:24+, 1Co 9:25+, 1Co 9:26+, 1Co 9:27+, 2Ti 2:5+) Take a moment and listen to and be motivated by this Scripturally based song Run Like Heaven. In Acts 21 Paul presents a proper perspective for ministry (diakonia) writing... And after he had greeted them (CONTEXT = Acts 21:17, 18+), he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry (diakonia). (Acts 21:19+) THOUGHT: (1) Paul's ministry was but a conduit of what God did through him (cf "VESSEL OF HONOR" - 2Ti 2:21+), and so it is still true in all of us who are called to be "ministers" of the Lord, even if not formally. (2) The first thing Paul did after greeting them was to give testimony to the great things the Lord had done ("THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAD DONE"), a good pattern for all God's ministers to seek to emulate. What we do is natural but what God does through us is supernatural. Can you glorify your Father by telling others "one by one the things" He has done through your ministry, His Spirit working in and through you to point others to Jesus? We received mercy (1653) (eleeo from eleos) means to feel sympathy with the misery of another, especially such sympathy which manifests itself in deeds (action), less frequently in words. It describes the general sense of one who expresses compassion to someone in need. Mercy is a concern for an afflicted person that prompts one to give help. God's grace gives us what we don't deserve and His mercy does not give us what we do deserve.
2 Coríntios 4:1-2
Barclay - He says that he never loses heart in the great task that has been given to him, and by implication he tells us why. There are two things which keep him going. (a) There is the consciousness of a great task. A man who is conscious of a great task can do amazing things. One of the great works of musical genius is Handel’s Messiah. It is on record that the whole work was composed and written down in twenty-two days, and that during the whole time Handel would scarcely consent to eat or to sleep. The strange thing about a great task is that it brings its own strength with it. (b) There is the memory of mercy received. It was Paul’s aim t spend all his life and all his effort seeking to do something for the love which had redeemed him. (2 Corinthians 4 Commentary) We do not lose heart - The Greek word for "not" (ou/ouk) indicates absolute negation. Paul says we absolutely in no way are losing heart, we are not becoming discouraged or despondent with fear and we are not becoming faint with weariness and exhaustion. Lose heart is in the present tense indicating that this is his continual attitude in spite of the challenges to his character and conduct by the false teachers. One is reminded of Winston Churchill famous words when Britain was facing overwhelming odds and possible defeat - NEVER GIVE IN! NEVER GIVE IN! THOUGHT - Beloved, have you ever been falsely accused or had your motives for ministry impugned or unfairly questioned? Most of us who have been at this for a while have been unjustly treated or unfairly criticized. We need to remember that the same thing happened to Paul and of course to our Lord Jesus and thus we must continually strive by the Spirit to imitate them (1Co 11:1+) walking in the steps our Savior trod (1Pe 2:21+), so that we do not lose heart. (See 1Pe 5:8+ 1Pe 5:9+, 1Pe 5:10+) Earlier Paul had affirmed that he had great boldness to speak forth the truth of the Gospel (2Co 3:12+) and when he considered the greatness of his calling (having such a hope), it buoyed up his spirit and gave him courage to face all his adversaries and afflictions with a sense of confidence. THOUGHT - Beloved, as those who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light, we can quickly lose heart when we fail to remember the greatness of the hope (absolute assurance of future good) our calling (Ep 1:18+ Ep 4:4+) with which God has called us in and for Christ Jesus (Ro 1:6+, Jude 1:1+) and we forget that we have the high privilege and holy purpose to proclaim His excellencies to those still lost in darkness. (1Pe 2:9+, cf Acts 26:18+, Col 1:13+, 2Co 5:14+) Listen to Spurgeon's exhortation - The preacher should either speak in God’s Name or hold his tongue. My brother, if the Lord has not sent you with a message, go to bed, or to school, or mind your farm; for what does it matter what you have to say of your own? If heaven has given you a message, speak it out as he ought to speak who is called to be the mouth of God. (cf Jer 20:9 Acts 4:19, 20+) Lose heart (1573) (ekkakeo from ek = out of or intensifies meaning of... + kakos = bad) strictly speaking means to act or behave badly in some circumstance. On one hand, it can mean to give in to evil. On the other hand, it can convey the idea of to be weary in or become tired of doing something, to lose courage, to slacken their one's labor or exertion because of the weariness caused by prolonged effort. It can picture one who becomes faint-hearted or despondent in the face of trial or difficulty. The verb ekkakeo means “to become good for nothing, to grow faint, and hence to be discouraged.” (EBC) "A strong Greek term which refers to abandoning oneself to cowardly surrender. That was not how Paul responded to the continual attacks he faced. (MacArthur Study Bible) Ekkakeo "became a Christian technical term expressing the unflagging pursuit of the goal of service to neighbor, or of apostolic ministry, as well as the tautness (having no give or slack -- tightly drawn, chiefly a nautical term signifying in proper order or condition) of the determined heart that does not let up or lose courage. (Linguistic and Exegetical Key)
2 Coríntios 4:1-2
Barclay: But we have refused to have anything to do with hidden and shameful methods. We do not act with unscrupulous cleverness. We do not adulterate the word which God gave us to preach. But by making the truth clear, we commend ourselves to the human conscience in all its forms in the sight of God. (Westminster Press) God's Word: Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don't use tricks, and we don't distort God's word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone. This is our <letter of> recommendation. (GWT) Easy English: We do not do things in secret and evil ways. We do not try to make people believe lies. We do not give a false meaning to the word of God. The opposite is true. We tell the truth clearly. We know that God sees everything. He sees everything that we do. Therefore, we live in a way that is attractive to everyone’s conscience. ESV: But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. (ESV) KJV: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. NET: But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience before God. (NET Bible) NIV: Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (NIV - IBS) NLT: We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:1-2
Barclay points out that Paul's "enemies had leveled three charges against him. They had said that he used underhand methods, that he exercised an unscrupulous cleverness to get his own way, and that he adulterated the message of the gospel. (2 Corinthians 4 Commentary) Adulterating is present tense picturing their falsification as an ongoing process, an apt description of false teachers, for even when they present the truth as Peter writes the "secretly introduce destructive heresies" (2Pe 2:1+), where the verb pareisago accurately describes their method of bringing in deadly error alongside the truth. This always reminds of the U S Treasury department's method of training their agents to recognize counterfeit $20 bills by having them intensely study real $20 bills. Bob
2 Coríntios 4:1-2
Barclay explains that...We best get the meaning of this from the corresponding verb (doloun). Doloun has two characteristic usages. It is used of debasing precious metals and of adulterating wines. Dolos is deceit; it describes the quality of the man who has a tortuous and a twisted mind, who cannot act in a straightforward way, who stoops to devious and underhand methods to get his own way, who never does anything except with some kind of ulterior motive. It describes the crafty cunning of the plotting intriguer who is found in every community and every society." In another writing Barclay explains that dolos can be translated "guile" and that "It comes from a word which means bait; it is used for trickery and deceit. It is used for instance of a mousetrap. When the Greeks were besieging Troy and could not gain entry, they sent the Trojans the present of a great wooden horse, as if it was a token of good will. The Trojans opened their gates and took it in. But the horse was filled with Greeks who in the night broke out and dealt death and devastation to Troy. That exactly is dolos. It is crafty, cunning, deceitful, clever treachery. Dolos is the trickery of the man who is out to deceive others to attain his own ends, the vice of the man whose motives are never pure. (Daily Study Bible) Paul says I do not corrupt, debase, or make impure the precious (Ps 19:10+, Ps 119:72+, Ps 119:127+, Job 23:12+), persisting (Eternal - Mt 24:35 5:18+), powerful (Lk 1:37ASV+) Word of God by adding any genre of foreign or inferior elements! THOUGHT - Is your "porch" bigger than your "house?" Dear preacher of the Word may I ask you a question? How much time do you devote to introducing your message each Sunday, before you begin to preach the Word ("the porch")? I routinely encounter sermons where from one quarter to one third of the "sermon" time is allocated to introductory illustrations calculated to make the Word more "authentic". Beloved, that is too long. The Word is authentic. I am not against salient, short introductions and illustrations, but when they begin to "cut in" on the time of the pure milk of God's Word then frankly the saints are being short changed and will likely walk away unsatisfied for only the Word brings genuine soul satisfaction. Personal stories and cute illustrations may generate an emotional response, but ultimately they only tickle the ears (2Ti 4:3,4+) and produce "spiritual children" who are vulnerable to being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ep 4:14+). God's Words through His prophet Jeremiah are relevant to much of the fare being offered from modern pulpits... Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask (= 3 commands) for the ancient paths (cp Dt 32:7) where the good way is, and walk in it and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' (Jer 6:16) For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me (Je 18:15), the Fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer 2:13)
2 Coríntios 4:3-4
Barclay: But if in fact the good news that we preach is veiled to some, it is veiled in the case of those who are doomed to perish. (Westminster Press) God's Word: So if the Good News that we tell others is covered with a veil, it is hidden from those who are dying. (GWT) Easy English: Those who are lost cannot find our good news. ESV: And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. (ESV) KJV: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: NET: But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, (NET Bible) NIV: And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. (NIV - IBS) NLT: If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:3-4
Barclay: In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who refuse to believe, in order that upon them there may not dawn the light of the good news which tells of the glory of Christ in whom we can see God. (Westminster Press) God's Word: The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. As a result, they don't see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory. It is Christ who is God's image. (GWT) Easy English: The god of this world (that is, the devil) has made blind the minds of those who do not believe. The result is that they cannot see the light of the good news of the *glory of Christ. He is the exact *likeness of God. ESV: In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (ESV) KJV: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. NET: among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. (NET Bible) NIV: The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (NIV - IBS) NLT: Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:5-6
Barclay: It is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. (Westminster Press) God's Word: Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. (GWT) Easy English: We do not preach about ourselves but about Christ Jesus as Lord. We are your servants because we love Jesus. ESV: For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. (ESV) KJV: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. NET: For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. (NET Bible) NIV: For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (NIV - IBS) NLT: You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:5-6
Barclay: This we must do because it is the God who said, “Out of darkness light shall shine.” who has shined in our hearts to illumine us with the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (Westminster Press) God's Word: We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God's glory which shines from Christ's face. (GWT) Easy English: God said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness.’ He has made his light shine in our minds. This light gives us the knowledge of God’s *glory. And God’s glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ. ESV: For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (ESV) KJV: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. NET: For God, who said "Let light shine out of darkness," is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ. (NET Bible) NIV: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (NIV - IBS) NLT: For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:7-9
Barclay: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power which surpasses all things may be seen to be of God and not of us. (Westminster Press) God's Word: Our bodies are made of clay, yet we have the treasure of the Good News in them. This shows that the superior power of this treasure belongs to God and doesn't come from us. (GWT) Easy English: It is as if we have *treasure in *clay pots. So this great power comes from God. It does not come from us. ESV: But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (ESV) KJV: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. NET: But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. (NET Bible) NIV: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (NIV - IBS) NLT: We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:7-9
Barclay: We are sore pressed at every point, but not hemmed in. We are at our wit’s end, but never at our hope’s end. (Westminster Press) God's Word: In every way we're troubled, but we aren't crushed by our troubles. We're frustrated, but we don't give up. (GWT) Easy English: We often have great trouble but nothing has destroyed us. We do not understand everything but we do not lose hope. ESV: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; (ESV) KJV: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; NEB Hard-pressed on every side, we are never hemmed in; bewildered, we are never at our wits’ end; New Bible Commentary paraphrase: “Hemmed in, but not hamstrung; not knowing what to do, but never bereft of all hope; NET: We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; (NET Bible) NIV: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (NIV - IBS) NLT: We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:7-9
Barclay: We are persecuted by men, but never abandoned by God. We are knocked down, but not knocked out. (Westminster Press) God's Word: We're persecuted, but we're not abandoned. We're captured, but we're not killed. (GWT) Easy English: We suffer in a cruel way for what we believe. However, God does not leave us on our own. Things knock us down, but they do not kill us. ESV: persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (ESV) KJV: Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; NET: we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, (NET Bible) New Bible Commentary paraphrase: hunted by men, but never abandoned by God; often felled, but never finished.” NIV: persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (NIV - IBS) NLT: We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:10-12
Barclay: In our bodies we have to run the same risk of death as Jesus Christ did, so that in our body the same life as Jesus lived may be clear for all to see. (Westminster Press) God's Word: We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our bodies. (GWT) Easy English: We always carry around in our body the death of the *Lord Jesus. As a result, people will see the life of Jesus in our body. ESV: always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (ESV) KJV: 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. NET: always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. (NET Bible) NIV: We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (NIV - IBS) NLT: 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. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:10-12
Barclay: For all through our lives we are continually handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life also which Jesus gives may be clear for all to see in our mortal flesh. (Westminster Press) God's Word: While we are alive, we are constantly handed over to death for Jesus' sake so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our mortal nature. (GWT) Easy English: Because, whilst we are alive, we are always in danger of death. This is because we serve Jesus. As a result, people may see his life in our human bodies. ESV: For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (ESV) KJV: For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. NET: 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 in our mortal body. (NET Bible) NIV: For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. (NIV - IBS) NLT: 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. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:10-12
Barclay: The result is that death operates in us, but life operates in you. (Westminster Press) God's Word: Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (GWT) Easy English: So death is our experience, but life is your experience. ESV: So death is at work in us, but life in you. (ESV) KJV: So then death worketh in us, but life in you. NET: As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (NET Bible) NIV: So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (NIV - IBS) NLT: So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:13-15
Barclay: Because we have the same spirit of faith as appears in that passage of scripture where it stands written, “I have believed and therefore have I spoken,” we, too, believe and therefore speak, (Westminster Press) God's Word: The following is written, "I believed; therefore, I spoke." We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak. (GWT) Easy English: The Bible says, ‘I spoke because I believed.’ We have that same kind of belief. Therefore, we believe and we speak out. ESV: Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, (ESV) KJV: We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; NET: But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, "I believed; therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak. (NET Bible) NIV: It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, (NIV - IBS) NLT: But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the Psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:13-15
Barclay: for we know that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus, and will present us with you. (Westminster Press) God's Word: We know that the one who brought the Lord Jesus back to life will also bring us back to life through Jesus. He will present us to God together with you. (GWT) Easy English: We know this: He who made Jesus alive after his death will also give us life with him. He will take us with you to where he is. ESV: knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. (ESV) KJV: Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. NET: We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence. (NET Bible) NIV: because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. (NIV - IBS) NLT: We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:13-15
Barclay: Everything that happens to us is for your sake, so that grace may abound more and more, and so swell the thanksgiving which rises from many to the glory of God. (Westminster Press) God's Word: All this is for your sake so that, as God's kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God.(GWT) Easy English: All this is for your advantage. God’s kindness will help more and more people. As a result, they will offer more prayers of *thanksgiving to the *glory of God. ESV: For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. (ESV) KJV: For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. NET: For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. (NET Bible) NIV: All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (NIV - IBS) NLT: All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. (NLT - Tyndale House) NRSV - Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
2 Coríntios 4:16
Barclay: That is the reason why we do not grow weary. But if indeed our outward frame is wasting away, our inward self is renewed day by day, (Westminster Press) BBE: For which cause we do not give way to weariness; but though our outer man is getting feebler, our inner man is made new day by day. Darby: Wherefore we faint not; but if indeed our outward man is consumed, yet the inward is renewed day by day. God's Word: That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. (GWT) ESV: So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. (ESV) GNT: For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. HCSB: Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. ICB: So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. (ICB: Nelson) ISV: That’s why we are not discouraged. No, even if our outer man is wearing out, our inner man is being renewed day by day. KJV: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Mace: for which cause I am not discouraged, but tho' my body decays, yet my mind is daily renewed. MLB (Berkley): For this reason we are not discouraged, but even though our outer nature suffers decay, our inner self is renewed day after day. Moffatt: Hence I never lose heart; though my outward man decays, my inner man is renewed day after day. NAB: Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. NEB: No wonder we do not lose heart! Though our outward humanity is in decay, yet day by day we are inwardly renewed. NET: Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. (NET Bible) NIV: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (NIV - IBS) NJB: That is why we do not waver; indeed, though this outer human nature of ours may be falling into decay, at the same time our inner human nature is renewed day by day. NKJV: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. NLT: That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:17
Barclay: for the light affliction which at the moment we must endure produces for us in a way that cannot be exaggerated an eternal weight of glory, (Westminster Press) BBE: For our present trouble, which is only for a short time, is working out for us a much greater weight of glory; Darby: For our momentary and light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory; God's Word: Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. (GWT) ESV: For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (ESV) GNT: And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. HCSB: For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. ICB: We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory. That glory is much greater than the troubles. (ICB: Nelson) ISV: This light, temporary nature of our suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond any comparison, KJV: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; Mace: for the light affliction, which I at present suffer, will be infinitely over-ballanced by an eternal weight of glory; MLB (Berkley): For this slight momentary trouble is producing for us an everlasting weight of glory that exceeds all measures, Moffatt: The slight trouble of the passing hour results in a solid glory past all comparison, NAB: For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, NEB: Our troubles are slight and shortlived; and their outcome an eternal glory which outweighs them far. NET: For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (NET Bible) NIV: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (NIV - IBS) NJB: The temporary, light burden of our hardships is earning us for ever an utterly incomparable, eternal weight of glory, NKJV: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, NLT: For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (NLT - Tyndale House)
2 Coríntios 4:17
Barclay says it this = "produces for us in a way that cannot be exaggerated an eternal weight of glory." More literally it reads more and more exceedingly or according to excess unto excess. One might translate it as "Hyperbole upon hyperbole".
2 Coríntios 4:18
Barclay: so long as we do not think of the things which are seen, but of the things which are unseen, for the things which are seen are passing, but the things which are unseen are eternal. (Westminster Press) BBE: While our minds are not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are for a time; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Darby: while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are for a time, but those that are not seen eternal. God's Word: We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever. (GWT) ESV: as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (ESV) GNT: For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts for ever. HCSB: So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ICB: So we set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time. But what we cannot see will last forever. (ICB: Nelson) ISV: because we do not look for things that can be seen but for things that cannot be seen. For things that can be seen are temporary, but things that cannot be seen are eternal. KJV: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Mace: for I have no regard to the things which are visible, but to such as are invisible: since visible things are temporary, but the invisible are eternal. MLB (Berkley): because we do not fasten our eyes on the visible but on the unseen; for the visible things are transitory, but the unseen things are everlasting. Moffatt: for those of us whose eyes are on the unseen, not on the seen; for the seen is transient, the unseen eternal. NAB: as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. NEB: Meanwhile our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen: for what is seen passes away; what is unseen is eternal. NET: because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. (NET Bible) NIV: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV - IBS) NJB: since what we aim for is not visible but invisible. Visible things are transitory, but invisible things eternal. NKJV: 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. NLT: So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (NLT - Tyndale House)