2Co 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed–
2Co 4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Verses 8-9 contains a series of eight present participles that describes Paul’s difficulties. All of them are contrasting pairs. The first describes a traumatizing experience with a capacity to bring the man of God down but the second part limiting the consequences of the same.
Paul’s life was filled with all sorts of life threatening challenges. However, instead of wrecking havoc on him, he still bounced back again. God always led him in triumphal procession in Christ. Like a sheep about to be sacrificed, Paul was in a sense facing the risk of death every day. He was able to endure such trial and in all of them emerged victorious.
Most believers face similar challenges like Paul but instead of bringing us down, they build us up. As a result, we are not only able to endure but rejoice in them because from them we receive many spiritual blessings. *Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Although we are shaken, we still remain strong.
Further readings:
Job 5:19
Pro 24:16
2Ti 3:11
🙏 Blessed Week 🙏
Amen