8 on every side being in tribulation, but not straitened; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 at all times the dying of the Lord Jesus bearing about in the body, that the life also of Jesus in our body may be manifested, 11 for always are we who are living delivered up to death because of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our dying flesh, 12 so that, the death indeed in us doth work, and the life in you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
(Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-12)
The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus. In comparison with them, other Christians were, even at that time, in prosperous circumstances.