Difference between revisions of "2 Cor 4:6-10"

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The New Testament > 2 Corinthians > Chapter 4

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Lexical notes

Verses 8-9

Examining the Greek words of each of these adjectives can help enhance the powerful meaning of the scripture:

1. Troubled on every side: 
     θλίβω, meaning "afflicted," "pressed" or "hemmed in."
2. Yet not not distressed: 
     στενοχωρέω, meaning "to be made narrow" or "crushed."
3. Perplexed: 
     ἀπορέω, meaning, "to stand at a loss," or "to be in doubt."
4. But not in despair: 
     ἐξαπορέομαιmeaning "to be utterly at a loss," or "in despair"
5. Persecuted: 
     διώκω meaning, "persecuted," or "put to flight" or "pursue."
6. But not forsaken: 
     ἐγκαταλείπω meaning "left behind" or "deserted."
7. Cast down:
     καταβάλλω, meaning to be "cast down."
8. But not destroyed: 
     ἀπόλλυμι, meaning "utterly destroyed."

A more literal Greek translation might read:

  We are pressed in on all sides, but not crushed,
  We stand at a loss, but not completely at a loss,
  We are persecuted, but not deserted by God
  We are cast down, but not utterly destroyed.

Additionally, the Greek ἀπορέω, meaning "to be in doubt" gives doubters cause for hope. Doubt is usually such a negative word in the scriptures that we rarely hear it discussed as a legitimate trial that many saints have to bear at various times in their life. However, Paul's view of the gospel includes times when saints may become "perplexed" or even "have doubts" or who are "at a loss" to truly understand. However, God will never leave us "utterly at a loss" or completely in despair.

Exegesis

Verse 10

In this verse, Paul suggests that we should continually remind ourselves of the sufferings of Christ. We should see our own sufferings as a "type and a shadow" of the things Christ suffered. This is also the message of our sacrament prayer: "that we might always remember him" we take the emblems of his broken flesh and spilled blood. Although Mormons frequently state that we "celebrate the living Christ, not the dying Christ," we should also remember that this scripture, and our own sacraments teach us that we must never forget the dying Christ. And through this constant "dying with Jesus," the "life of Jesus" will be manifest in us.

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