Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:8

"[we are] pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;" — 2 Corinthians 4:8 (ASV)

We are troubled on every side.—The Greek presents all the clauses in a participial form, in apposition with the “we” with which 2 Corinthians 4:7 opens. The careful antithesis in each case requires some modification of the English version in order to be at all adequately expressed. Hemmed-in in everything, yet not straitened for room perplexed, yet not baffled; or, as it has been rendered, less literally, but with great vividness, bewildered, but not benighted. The imagery in both clauses belongs to the life of the soldier on active service.