2 Corinthians 4:9

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

American Standard Version (1901)

pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;

Bible in Basic English

We are cruelly attacked, but not without hope; we are made low, but we are not without help;

Douay-Rheims 1899

We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:

Free Bible Version

We are persecuted, but never abandoned by God. We are knocked down, but not dead yet!

Geneva Bible 1599

We are persecuted, but not forsaken: cast downe, but we perish not.

King James (Authorized) Version

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Translation for Translators

We are frequently persecuted {People frequently cause us to suffer}, but God never abandons us. Sometimes we are badly wounded {people badly wound us}, but God does not allow us to be killed {them to kill us}.

Unlocked Literal Bible

We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed.

Noah Webster Bible

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

World English Bible

pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;

Young's Literal Translation

persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Context

Treasure in Jars of Clay

⁸We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Sermons

6 Blessings + 6 Barriers

George Verwer

1.2K

Remembering and Forgetting (Deuteronomy 8)

T. Austin-Sparks

Summary

This verse highlights the perseverance and resilience of believers in the face of trials and challenges. It emphasizes that although they may be persecuted, they are not abandoned by God; they may be struck down, but they are not destroyed. The verse encourages Christians to hold on to their faith and trust in God's sustaining power during difficult times, knowing that He will ultimately deliver them. It serves as a reminder that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, and that through Him, believers can overcome any adversity.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Persecuted, but not forsaken - Διωκομενοι, αλλ' ουκ εγκαταλειπομενοι. The διωκομενοι, pursued, is peculiar to the δρομος, or race, when one being foremost others pursue, and get up close after him, endeavoring to outstrip him, but cannot succeed: this is the meaning of ουκ εγκαταλειπομενοι, not outstripped, or outgone, as the word implies. So in Plutarch: τους απολειφθεντας ου στεφανουσι, they do not crown them that are distanced or left behind. So says the apostle, Co1 9:24 : All run, but only One receiveth the Prize. Cast down, but not destroyed - Καταβαλλομενοι αλλ' ουκ απολλυμενοι. This also belongs to wrestlers, where he that throws the other first is conqueror. And so Hesychius: καταβαλει, νικησει, ῥιψει, to cast down is to overcome, to throw. And then, the being not destroyed signifies that, although they were thrown down-cast into troubles and difficulties, yet they rose again, and surmounted them all.