2 Corinthians 4 9

2 Corinthians 4:9 kjv

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:9 nkjv

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed?

2 Corinthians 4:9 niv

persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:9 esv

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:9 nlt

We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4 verses

2 Corinthians 4 9 Meaning

The verse presents a powerful paradox central to Christian experience: intense outward suffering and relentless opposition are met with an unwavering, active divine preservation. Despite being actively pursued and violently assaulted, believers are never utterly abandoned by God nor destined for ultimate ruin. It is a declaration of God's faithful presence and sustaining power even at the brink of despair.

2 Corinthians 4 9 Context

2 Corinthians 4:9 is part of Paul's eloquent defense of his apostolic ministry, particularly emphasizing the paradox of suffering and divine power. Coming directly after the declaration that Christians have "this treasure in jars of clay" (2 Cor 4:7), the verse articulates the concrete expressions of that vulnerability and the concurrent display of God's transcendent power. Verses 8-9 present four contrasting pairs, often called an "antithetical parallelism" or "suffering antimonies," illustrating the continuous pressures Paul faced. The chapter's broader theme is that God chooses weak human vessels so that the surpassing power may be clearly seen as God's, not humanity's. This passage counters any notion that God's favor is evidenced by an absence of trouble; instead, it argues that it is most powerfully displayed within severe trials. The historical context reflects the challenging reality of early Christian mission, where persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities, as well as internal dissension, was common, requiring apostles like Paul to constantly affirm the true nature of their divinely empowered yet humanly weak ministry.

2 Corinthians 4 9 Word analysis

• persecuted (διωκόμενοι - diōkomenoi): A present passive participle of diōkō, meaning "to pursue, chase, run after, put to flight, persecute." This signifies active, continuous, and intense hostility; not just opposition, but being relentlessly pursued and harried as if by a hunter pursuing prey. It denotes deliberate and systemic ill-treatment, covering both physical aggression and systematic oppression for one's faith.

• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction meaning "but, on the contrary, rather." This term introduces a direct, emphatic contrast, serving as a hinge between the severe reality of suffering and the assured divine response. It is a powerful disjunction, shifting the narrative from human expectation of defeat to God's reality of preservation.

• not forsaken (οὐκ ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι - ouk enkataleipomenoi): The negative particle ouk ("not") negates enkataleipō, a present passive participle meaning "to abandon, desert, leave behind, leave in the lurch." This powerful denial assures that despite being pursued, the suffering individual is never left without God's active, supportive presence. It rules out the possibility of being ultimately deserted, contrasting with the feeling of isolation persecution often brings.

• struck down (καταβαλλόμενοι - kataballomenoi): A present passive participle of kataballō, meaning "to throw down, cast down, fell, demolish, lay low, overwhelm, vanquish." This evokes images of being physically overwhelmed, wrestled to the ground, or completely outmatched. It signifies a profound experience of being brought to the point of utter collapse or defeat by external forces.

• not destroyed (οὐκ ἀπολλύμενοι - ouk apollūmenoi): The negative particle ouk ("not") negates apollumi, a present passive participle meaning "to destroy, perish, ruin, lose, be lost, utterly remove from existence." This is the ultimate promise of preservation. Though brought to the very brink of destruction, suffering is not unto ultimate annihilation—whether of life, purpose, or faith. It asserts an enduring quality of divine preservation even in the face of seeming catastrophe.

• "persecuted, but not forsaken": This phrase describes the reality of being hunted and harassed for one's faith, yet paradoxically, never experiencing true abandonment by God. While facing intense external pressure, the believer remains enveloped in God's sustained presence and care, negating the loneliness and despair that persecution naturally entails. It highlights the loyalty and steadfastness of the divine partner in the face of human hostility.

• "struck down, but not destroyed": This signifies being violently overwhelmed and brought to the very edge of ruin, yet not succumbing to ultimate obliteration. It's a testament to the resilience gifted by divine power—an ability to withstand forces designed to dismantle or terminate. Though potentially knocked down, the spiritual foundation and ultimate destiny remain intact, guaranteeing no permanent or total defeat. This echoes the resurrection motif inherent in the "treasure in jars of clay" theme, where weakness becomes the ground for God's power.

2 Corinthians 4 9 Bonus section

• The structure of these verses (8-9) builds a powerful rhetorical strategy, escalating the intensity of Paul's suffering while simultaneously strengthening the affirmation of God's safeguarding power. This rhythmic antithesis creates a memorable and reassuring message of divine sovereignty over adversity.
• This passage functions as a corrective to any form of "triumphalism" that suggests Christian life should be free from hardship. Instead, it frames suffering as an inherent part of the authentic apostolic, and by extension, Christian, journey, demonstrating that God's power is often most evident not in immunity from trouble, but in overcoming and enduring through it.
• Paul’s choice of the present tense for all the participles ("persecuted," "forsaken," "struck down," "destroyed") emphasizes the continuous and ongoing nature of these experiences and divine interventions throughout his ministry. This isn't a single event but a lived reality.

2 Corinthians 4 9 Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:9 offers a profound theological assertion on the nature of suffering in Christian ministry and life. It moves beyond mere resilience, emphasizing God's active intervention and unwavering fidelity as the reason for preservation. The four "but not" clauses (vv. 8-9) highlight a consistent pattern: human weakness and external pressure are intense, yet God's power (v. 7) unfailingly provides a supernatural counterbalance, preventing ultimate ruin. Paul's suffering, described in vivid terms, is not a sign of divine disfavor, but rather the very context in which the "life of Jesus" is manifested through his mortal body (v. 10). This paradox reveals that victory isn't found in the absence of hardship, but in enduring through it, empowered by God's sustaining grace, which ensures no final defeat or abandonment. It reassures believers that even at their lowest point, their existence, purpose, and relationship with God are divinely secured.

Practical examples:

• A missionary facing verbal abuse and expulsion from a village, yet sensing God's tangible peace and clear guidance to the next task.
• A Christian leader whose reputation is slandered, bringing public shame, yet experiencing inner conviction and continued fruitfulness in ministry despite the setback.
• An individual undergoing severe physical illness or financial ruin, who feels "struck down," but holds onto faith and hope, ultimately finding new avenues of blessing or service.