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[a]We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair;(A) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 [b](B)always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.(C)

12 [c]So death is at work in us, but life in you.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:8–9 A catalogue of his apostolic trials and afflictions. Yet in these the negative never completely prevails; there is always some experience of rescue, of salvation.
  2. 4:10–11 Both the negative and the positive sides of the experience are grounded christologically. The logic is similar to that of 2 Cor 1:3–11. His sufferings are connected with Christ’s, and his deliverance is a sign that he is to share in Jesus’ resurrection.
  3. 4:12–15 His experience does not terminate in himself, but in others (12, 15; cf. 2 Cor 1:4–5). Ultimately, everything is ordered even beyond the community, toward God (2 Cor 4:15; cf. 2 Cor 1:11).

We are hard pressed on every side,(A) but not crushed; perplexed,(B) but not in despair; persecuted,(C) but not abandoned;(D) struck down, but not destroyed.(E) 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(F) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(G) 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(H) 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.(I)

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23 [a]Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.)(A) I am still more,[b] with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death. 24 Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one.(B) 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep;(C) 26 on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 11:23a Ministers of Christ…I am still more: the central point of the boast (cf. note on 2 Cor 11:5). Like an insane person: the climax of his folly.
  2. 11:23b–29 Service of the humiliated and crucified Christ is demonstrated by trials endured for him. This rhetorically impressive catalogue enumerates many of the labors and perils Paul encountered on his missionary journeys.

23 Are they servants of Christ?(A) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,(B) been in prison more frequently,(C) been flogged more severely,(D) and been exposed to death again and again.(E) 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes(F) minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods,(G) once I was pelted with stones,(H) three times I was shipwrecked,(I) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,(J) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,(K) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.(L) 27 I have labored and toiled(M) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;(N) I have been cold and naked.

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