2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; ⁹ hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; (AMP)

que estamos atribulados en todo, mas no angustiados; en apuros, mas no esesperados; ⁹ perseguidos, mas no desamparados; derribados, pero no destruidos; (RVR 1960)

As always we need to start with some context. Paul in writing a second time to the church at Corinth begins this part of his letter, Chapter 4:1-6 with a continuation of the previous chapter. He makes it abundantly clear that he and his fellow laborers preach Christ and Christ alone. It is not now nor will it ever be about himself. 

I consider verse 7 a set up verse. To use a baseball analogy, a pitcher will use one pitch to set up another to get a strike out. Here Paul uses the content of v.7 to set up our main text for today. He says v.7: But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. The message of Christ alone must be delivered in and by this frail human body so that the power and glory of God may be manifested to all. So what does that mean for us, simple put our frailties mean we will at times suffer. But through it all God is there with us. Which brings us to our main text: 

We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed: In the Greek it says “being pressed hard” which is different from totally or completely crushed. We will experience times in our lives when things just seem to being in total chaos, but know that God is there. 

perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair: We have all been there, a point in our lives when we stop and say how in the world did I get here? Then we ask the question how can I get out of this mess I am in? Note what Paul says here that no matter the circumstance, no matter the depth of the mess God has a way out and we are not {to be} driven to despair.

hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]: Jesus made it clear Matthew 5:10, Luke 6:22, Mark 10:29-30 that true believers and Gospel workers would endure persecution. Does that mean everyone will be hunted down, jailed, beaten, etc. No of course not, everyone will experience different levels of hate and evil against them but all who are truly working for God’s Glory Alone (Sola Deo Gloria) will undergo some persecution. If not they are probably not working for the right king or kingdom. 

The second part of this phrase is critical to our Faith as Christians. Paul under inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes but not deserted that is we never have [to stand alone]. Again the bible makes it clear that God will never leave us or forsake us in times of trouble Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 28:20, Philippians 4:6-7, Hebrews 13:6. 

God’s Love Never Fails and he is always there for us. In fact Paul in writing to the Romans reminded them of the same thing Romans 8:35-39 asking Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Most answer no one and nothing. The correct answer is only ourselves and our unrepentant sin. 

struck down, but never destroyed: This one is a hard pill to swallow for some, how can a loving God allow some of His children to be struck down?  Again the Greek word here clearly means struck down as with a arrow in the hunt. Some of God’s Gospel workers will be persecuted unto death. BUT, praise God, they are never destroyed; for they may be gone from their earthly body but they are eternally with the Lord;Death 2 Corinthians 5:6-8  So then, being always filled with good courage and  confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— ⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— ⁸ we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

In closing, we as believers must understand that persecution is coming and that God will always stand beside us. Our best defense is a strong offense, that is to be armed with the knowledge of the Word of God (Sola Scripura).