Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
Sacrifice for Others' Gain
Commentators explain that Paul is not complaining, but stating a profound reality of ministry. His suffering and nearness to death ('death worketh in us') were the very means by which the Corinthian believers received spiritual vitality and the hope of eternal life ('life in you'). This selfless pattern, where one person's hardship produces spiritual benefit for others, is a core aspect of Christ-like love.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
2 Corinthians
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
11
Albert Barnes
On 2 Corinthians 4:12
18th Century
Theologian
So then death worketh in us. We are exposed to death. The preaching of the gospel exposes us to trials which may be regarded as death work…
AT Robertson
On 2 Corinthians 4:12
Death worketh in us (ο θανατος εν ημιν ενεργειτα). Middle voice present tense of the old verb to operate, be at work. Physical dea…
Charles Ellicott
On 2 Corinthians 4:12
19th Century
Bishop
So then death worketh in us, but life in you.—“Life” is here clearly used in its higher spiritual sense, as in the preceding verse.
…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Charles Spurgeon
On 2 Corinthians 4:11–14
19th Century
Preacher
For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then …
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 2 Corinthians 4:12
With a bold stroke, Paul relates this theme of life in the midst of death to his earlier statements in ch. 1 about vicarious suffering (1:3–7). The…
John Calvin
On 2 Corinthians 4:12
16th Century
Theologian
Thus, death indeed. This is said ironically, because it was unfitting that the Corinthians should live happily and according to their desi…
John Gill
On 2 Corinthians 4:12
17th Century
Pastor
So then death works in us
This is the conclusion of the foregoing account, or the inference deduced from it; either …
Matthew Henry
On 2 Corinthians 4:8–12
17th Century
Minister
The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken by their friends, as well as persecuted by enemie…