2 Corinthians 4 16

2 Corinthians 4:16 kjv

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 nkjv

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 niv

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 esv

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 nlt

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

2 Corinthians 4 verses

2 Corinthians 4 16 Meaning

This verse offers profound encouragement by articulating a divine paradox: despite the physical body’s inevitable deterioration and the hardships endured, the inner, spiritual being of a believer is progressively revitalized each day by God. It directly follows Paul’s discussion of afflictions, persecutions, and suffering for the sake of the Gospel, explaining why believers are not utterly discouraged or destroyed by these challenges. The outward man, subject to the natural processes of aging and suffering, declines, while the inward man, nourished by the Spirit, continuously grows and is refreshed, fostering perseverance and hope in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 16 Context

2 Corinthians 4:16 is nestled within Paul's robust defense of his apostolic ministry and the New Covenant's superiority over the Old. Chapters 3 and 4 highlight the unparalleled glory of ministry under the Spirit, which, unlike the temporary glory of Moses' face, brings freedom and spiritual life (2 Cor 3:6-18). Paul asserts the integrity and transparency of his ministry, rejecting "underhanded dealings" and proclaiming Christ, not himself (2 Cor 4:1-5). He vividly describes the hardships he and his companions face for the Gospel – being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down – but crucially states they are "not crushed," "not driven to despair," "not forsaken," "not destroyed" (2 Cor 4:8-9). This suffering manifests "the life of Jesus" in their mortal bodies (2 Cor 4:10-12), portraying believers as "jars of clay" holding "treasure" (2 Cor 4:7). Verse 16 serves as the climactic "therefore," explaining the enduring power and perspective behind their refusal to lose heart amidst severe external suffering: their inward, spiritual reality of continuous renewal by God's Spirit outweighs and overrides the inevitable physical decay and external pressures.

2 Corinthians 4 16 Word analysis

• Therefore (Διὸ - dio): This conjunction signifies a direct consequence or conclusion drawn from the preceding argument, particularly 2 Cor 4:7-15, which details Paul’s afflictions and the "life of Jesus" being displayed in his dying body for the sake of others' spiritual life. It bridges the visible suffering with the unseen spiritual dynamic.
• we do not lose heart (οὐκ ἐγκακοῦμεν - ouk enkakoumen): "Ouk" is a strong negation, emphasizing Paul's absolute refusal to yield to discouragement or give up. "Enkakoumen" means to lose courage, be faint-hearted, to give way to evil (κακός - kakos, meaning evil or trouble). This is a consistent theme in Paul’s letters, encouraging perseverance in the face of tribulation, as seen also in Eph 3:13 and Gal 6:9.
• Though outwardly (Εἰ καὶ ὁ ἔξωθεν - Ei kai ho exōthen): "Ei kai" means "even if" or "though indeed," conceding a truth. "Ho exōthen" refers to the "outer man," primarily the physical body and its external aspects. This includes all that is mortal, visible, and subject to physical laws of decay and death.
• we are wasting away (ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος διαφθείρεται - hēmōn anthrōpos diaphtheiretai): "Diaphtheiretai" (from διαφθείρω - diaphtheirō) is in the present passive indicative, indicating an ongoing process and that it is being done to them, implying it is part of the human condition or the result of intense suffering. It means to corrupt, destroy, spoil, decay, or rot. Here, it refers to the physical deterioration, wear-and-tear, and aging process of the human body, intensified by Paul’s severe tribulations.
• yet inwardly (ἀλλ’ ὁ ἔσωθεν - all' ho esōthen): "Alla" (ἀλλά) marks a strong contrast, like "but on the contrary." "Ho esōthen" refers to the "inner man," the spiritual person, the mind, heart, and spirit—the seat of one's relationship with God. This spiritual identity is created anew in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) and sustained by the Holy Spirit.
• we are being renewed (ἀνακαινοῦται - anakainoutai): From "anakainoō" (ἀνακαινόω), it means to renew, to make fresh again, restore to a previous good state or make new and different. Like "diaphtheiretai," it’s in the present passive indicative, showing a continuous, daily process (ongoing) and an external agent (God, through the Holy Spirit) is performing this renewal. It's a transformation, a continuous making new.
• day by day (ἡμέρᾳ καὶ ἡμέρᾳ - hēmera kai hēmera): This phrase emphasizes the constant, progressive, and sustained nature of this spiritual renewal. It contrasts directly with the slow, relentless pace of outward decay. It signifies a divine provision that is fresh and effective each day, a daily infusion of spiritual vitality that counters the daily diminishment of the physical.

• "Therefore we do not lose heart": This phrase asserts the apostle's unwavering resolve and serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of the gospel in the midst of relentless suffering. It roots their perseverance not in personal strength but in a greater spiritual reality, directly linking to the 'treasure in jars of clay' motif.
• "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed": This is a classic Pauline paradox, central to the Christian experience. It highlights the spiritual truth that physical decay and suffering do not negate spiritual vitality; rather, they can be contexts for accelerated spiritual growth. It delineates between the temporary and the eternal, the visible and the invisible.
• "renewed day by day": This group of words emphasizes the ongoing, dynamic, and ever-fresh nature of God's work in the believer. It signifies that renewal is not a one-time event but a continuous process, mirroring the daily needs and challenges faced by humanity and illustrating God’s faithful provision.

2 Corinthians 4 16 Bonus section

The concept of the "outer man" (ὁ ἔξωθεν ἄνθρωπος) and "inner man" (ὁ ἔσωθεν ἄνθρωπος) is a key anthropological distinction in Pauline thought. The outer man is associated with mortality, weakness, the flesh (sarx), and being perishable, whereas the inner man is connected to the spirit (pneuma), spiritual strength, and renewal. This distinction does not imply a dualistic Gnostic view that devalues matter, but rather points to the temporal nature of our present bodily existence versus the eternal reality of our regenerated spirit. The renewal is ultimately tied to the Holy Spirit's work, preparing the believer for the future, glorified resurrection body. The contrast Paul draws also served as a polemic against the Corinthian emphasis on external displays of power or the body’s perceived invincibility, redirecting their focus to the subtle, daily, and internal work of God's grace. This daily renewal is an act of divine mercy (Lam 3:22-23), ensuring that believers never reach a spiritual static point, but continually press towards the mark of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 16 Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:16 provides a profound perspective on suffering and perseverance. It reveals that the physical deterioration of the body, a natural consequence of time and intensified by the hardships of ministry and life, does not lead to despair for the believer. Instead, this outward decline serves as a paradoxical backdrop for an accelerating inner, spiritual renewal. This renewal is not self-generated but is an active, ongoing work of God's Spirit, making the inner self stronger, more Christ-like, and vibrant daily. It's a truth that empowers believers to face physical challenges, aging, and persecution with hope, knowing that while the visible may be fading, the invisible is flourishing with eternal significance. For example, a person battling chronic illness may feel their physical body weakening, but simultaneously experience a deepening of faith, patience, and intimacy with God, or an elderly person whose body is failing might express increasing joy and peace in their spiritual life.