Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:9

"pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;" — 2 Corinthians 4:9 (ASV)

Persecuted. Often persecuted; persecuted in all places. The "Acts of the Apostles" shows how true this was.

But not forsaken. Not deserted; not left by God. Though persecuted by men, they still experienced the fulfillment of the Divine promise that he would never leave or forsake them. God always interposed to aid them; always saved them from the power of their enemies; always sustained them in the time of persecution.

This is still true. People have often been persecuted. Yet God has often interposed to save them from the hands of their enemies. Where he has not saved them from their hands and preserved their lives, he has nevertheless never left them, but has sustained, upheld, and comforted them, even in the dreadful agonies of death.

Cast down. Thrown down by our enemies, perhaps in allusion to the contests of wrestlers, or of gladiators.

But not destroyed. Not killed. They rose again; they recovered their strength; they were prepared for new conflicts. They surmounted every difficulty, and were ready to engage in new struggles, and to meet new trials and persecutions.