2 Corinthians 7 5

2 Corinthians 7:5 kjv

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

2 Corinthians 7:5 nkjv

For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.

2 Corinthians 7:5 niv

For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn?conflicts on the outside, fears within.

2 Corinthians 7:5 esv

For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn ? fighting without and fear within.

2 Corinthians 7:5 nlt

When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.

2 Corinthians 7 verses

2 Corinthians 7 5 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 7:5, Paul vividly describes the profound distress he experienced during his journey into Macedonia, a period preceding the comforting arrival of Titus. He explains that his human body and spirit found no repose; rather, he was overwhelmed by intense pressures from all directions. This suffering manifested externally as "fightings"—various oppositions, conflicts, and persecutions from those outside the Christian community—and internally as "fears"—deep anxieties and worries, particularly concerning the Corinthian church's response to his previous stern letter and their spiritual state. This verse underscores Paul's vulnerability and humanity, setting the stage for the relief he soon received.

2 Corinthians 7 5 Context

This verse is situated within a significant emotional passage in Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church. The preceding chapters (1-6) detail Paul's ministry, his suffering, his integrity, and his earnest desire for reconciliation with the Corinthians. Specifically, 2 Cor 2:13 serves as an immediate backdrop, where Paul explains leaving Troas for Macedonia because "he had no rest in his spirit" due to Titus not arriving with news from Corinth.

2 Corinthians 7:5 explicitly picks up this thread, elaborating on the intense personal anguish Paul felt during that interim period in Macedonia. It portrays his vulnerability as an apostle, contrasting sharply with any "super-apostles" who might have boasted of unshakeable strength or spiritual perfection. The suffering described—both external persecutions and internal anxieties—sets the stage for the immense relief Paul experiences in the very next verse (7:6) when Titus finally arrives with encouraging news of the Corinthians' repentance and continued affection for Paul. The entire section (chapters 1-7) serves to affirm Paul's genuine apostolic authority, his love for the Corinthians, and his deep concern for their spiritual well-being, all seen through the lens of shared suffering and divine comfort. Historically, Macedonia was Paul's entry point into Europe on his second missionary journey, a region where he faced considerable opposition and established key churches.

2 Corinthians 7 5 Word analysis

• For: Greek "γὰρ" (gar). A connective particle indicating a reason or explanation, linking this verse to Paul's prior statements of suffering and later relief, particularly explaining why he had expressed distress and confidence.
• even when: Greek "Καὶ" (kai), often meaning "and" or "also," here with "ὅτε" (hote - when). It emphasizes the timing, indicating that even at the point of entering Macedonia, the distress continued and perhaps intensified.
• we were come into: Greek "ἐλθόντων" (elthontōn), from "ἔρχομαι" (erchomai), meaning "to come, go, arrive." Refers to Paul and his companions.
• Macedonia: Greek "Μακεδονίαν" (Makedonian). The Roman province in northern Greece, where Paul had established churches like Philippi and Thessalonica. It represents a physical location on his missionary journey.
• our flesh: Greek "ἡ σὰρξ" (hē sarx). Refers to the physical body and human nature, not necessarily in a morally pejorative sense but highlighting his earthly vulnerability and human capacity for suffering and distress. It signifies his entire human being.
• had no rest: Greek "ἄνεσιν οὐκ" (anesin ouk), with "ἔσχεν" (eschen - had). "Ἄνεσιν" (anesin) means relief, relaxation, rest, ease. "Οὐκ" (ouk) is a strong negative, emphasizing the complete absence of relief. This echoes 2 Cor 2:13.
• but: Greek "ἀλλ'" (all'). A strong adversative conjunction, introducing a contrast to the expected rest or indicating intensification.
• we were troubled: Greek "θλιβόμενοι" (thlibomenoi). From "θλίβω" (thlibō), meaning "to press, oppress, distress, afflict." It depicts being under severe, constant pressure or squeezed. This verb is a recurring theme in Paul's letters concerning suffering (e.g., 2 Cor 4:8).
• on every side: Greek "ἐν παντὶ" (en panti), literally "in everything" or "in every respect/way." This emphasizes the comprehensive, pervasive nature of the distress, that no aspect of his life was untouched.
• without were fightings: Greek "ἔξωθεν μάχαι" (exōthen machai). "Ἔξωθεν" (exōthen) means "from outside, externally." "Μάχαι" (machai) refers to battles, fights, contentions, disputes. This denotes external opposition, likely from unbelievers, persecutors, or even conflicts arising within the nascent Christian communities (e.g., challenges to his authority).
• within were fears: Greek "ἔσωθεν φόβοι" (esōthen phoboi). "Ἔσωθεν" (esōthen) means "from inside, internally." "Φόβοι" (phoboi) means fears, anxieties, apprehensions. These were Paul's internal struggles—his deep concern for the Corinthian church, worry about the reception of his stern letter, anxieties over false teachers, and the spiritual well-being of his converts (2 Cor 11:28).

Word-groups by words-group analysis

• "even when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest": This phrase highlights the immediate, physical and psychological impact of his circumstances upon arrival in a new mission field. It connects directly to his departure from Troas (2 Cor 2:13) and shows that the initial anxieties did not diminish but carried over. "Our flesh" underscores his shared humanity, depicting an apostle who felt deeply and was physically susceptible to stress.
• "but we were troubled on every side": This serves as a general summation of his state. The passive "troubled" emphasizes that these pressures were imposed upon him, not self-generated. "On every side" paints a picture of being completely surrounded by affliction, without respite or escape, an overwhelming burden.
• "without were fightings, within were fears": This pairing offers a profound summary of the dual nature of an apostle's suffering: external opposition and internal anguish. "Fightings" indicate overt conflicts—physical persecutions, verbal disputes, challenges from adversaries (e.g., Jewish opponents, Gentile critics, rival teachers). "Fears" delve into the deep, often unspoken, internal burdens—concerns for the spiritual state of the churches, the fidelity of converts, the danger of false teachings, and the consequences of his ministry actions. This dichotomy powerfully illustrates the comprehensive nature of Paul's suffering for the gospel.

2 Corinthians 7 5 Bonus section

• The detail of "fightings without" and "fears within" provides a timeless framework for understanding the nature of pastoral and missionary suffering. Leaders often contend with external opposition (criticism, heresy, persecution) while also carrying immense internal burdens (anxiety for congregations, fear of failure, personal spiritual struggles).
• This verse is a significant indicator of Paul's authentic emotional life. He was not detached or superhuman but deeply invested and emotionally affected by his ministry and the welfare of the churches. This realism offers encouragement to believers who experience similar emotional turmoil in their service to Christ, affirming that such feelings do not negate faith but often accompany sincere devotion.
• Paul's experience here serves as an important corrective to any theology that suggests constant, unbroken peace is the automatic outcome of a committed spiritual life, particularly in ministry. While God's peace guards hearts, it does not preclude seasons of intense distress and anxiety, especially when caring deeply for others and facing significant spiritual battles.
• The phrase "troubled on every side" uses the Greek word thlibō which implies a narrow, compressed space, symbolizing extreme pressure, feeling squeezed in by circumstances. It's not just "troubled" but severely oppressed.

2 Corinthians 7 5 Commentary

2 Corinthians 7:5 provides a raw glimpse into the profound human suffering endured by the Apostle Paul. Following his departure from Troas where he "had no rest in his spirit" (2 Cor 2:13) due to his longing for Titus and news from Corinth, he entered Macedonia carrying a heavy burden. This verse reveals that this journey did not bring relief but instead intensified his distress. "Our flesh had no rest" means his entire human being, body and mind, was under immense strain; he was physically exhausted and mentally distraught, highlighting his genuine humanity, not stoicism.

He was "troubled on every side," a pervasive affliction. This multifaceted distress manifested as "fightings without" – external conflicts such as persecutions from hostile parties, challenges from false apostles undermining his authority, and the general friction encountered in pioneering the gospel. Simultaneously, he faced "fears within" – internal anxieties primarily rooted in his pastoral heart. These "fears" were undoubtedly his profound concern for the Corinthian church: their response to his severe letter, their spiritual health, the threat of unrepentant sin, and the possibility of their drifting from true apostolic teaching.

This confession of vulnerability is crucial in 2 Corinthians, as it stands in stark contrast to the self-proclaimed "super-apostles" who likely presented an image of strength, invulnerability, and spiritual superiority. Paul, in acknowledging his genuine struggle, validates authentic apostolic ministry as one characterized not by personal triumph but by weakness, dependency on God, and a profound empathy for those he served. This honesty sets the stage for God's comfort, which soon arrives through Titus (2 Cor 7:6), underscoring that even in the darkest valleys, divine consolation is a faithful provision for God's servants.