2 Corinthians 4:9
New International Version
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

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

English Standard Version
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Berean Standard Bible
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Berean Literal Bible
being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed,

King James Bible
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

New King James Version
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

New American Standard Bible
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;

NASB 1995
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

NASB 1977
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Legacy Standard Bible
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Amplified Bible
hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed;

Christian Standard Bible
we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.

American Standard Version
pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;

Contemporary English Version
In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.

English Revised Version
pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We're persecuted, but we're not abandoned. We're captured, but we're not killed.

Good News Translation
there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.

International Standard Version
persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.

Majority Standard Bible
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

NET Bible
we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed,

New Heart English Bible
pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;

Webster's Bible Translation
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Weymouth New Testament
pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain;

World English Bible
pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Berean Literal Bible
being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed,

Young's Literal Translation
persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Smith's Literal Translation
Being driven out, but not forsaken; being cast down, but not destroyed;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:

Catholic Public Domain Version
We suffer persecution, yet we have not been abandoned. We are thrown down, yet we do not perish.

New American Bible
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;

New Revised Standard Version
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
We are persecuted, but we are not forsaken; We are cast down, but we are not defeated.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Godbey New Testament
being persecuted, but not forsaken; being cast down, but not destroyed;

Haweis New Testament
persecuted, yet not abandoned; cast down, but not destroyed;

Mace New Testament
persecuted, but not forsaken; dejected, but not destroyed;

Weymouth New Testament
pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground, yet never slain;

Worrell New Testament
pursued, yet not abandoned; smitten down, yet not destroyed;

Worsley New Testament
persecuted, but not forsaken;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Treasures in Jars of Clay
8We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.…

Cross References
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ...

Psalm 37:24
Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.

2 Timothy 3:11
my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

1 Peter 4:12-14
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Psalm 118:13
I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Psalm 46:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

Philippians 1:28-30
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God. / For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, / since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.


Treasury of Scripture

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

but.

Psalm 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psalm 22:1
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Psalm 37:25,28
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread…

cast.

2 Corinthians 7:6
Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

Job 5:17-19
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: …

Job 22:29
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

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2 Corinthians 4
1. Paul declares how he has used all sincerity and diligence in preaching the gospel,
7. and how his troubles and persecutions did redound to the praise of God's power,
12. to the benefit of the church,
16. and to the apostle's own eternal glory.














persecuted, but not forsaken;
In this phrase, the Apostle Paul acknowledges the reality of persecution faced by believers. Throughout the New Testament, persecution is a common theme, as seen in the early church's experiences in Acts. Paul himself faced numerous persecutions, including beatings, imprisonments, and threats to his life (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Despite these trials, Paul emphasizes that believers are not forsaken by God. This assurance echoes the promise found in Hebrews 13:5, where God declares, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." The presence of God provides strength and comfort, ensuring that even in the midst of persecution, believers are not abandoned. This reflects the faithfulness of God, who sustains His people through trials, much like He did with the Israelites in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 31:6).

struck down, but not destroyed.
The imagery of being "struck down" suggests a physical or emotional blow, akin to being knocked down in a battle. Paul often used athletic and military metaphors to describe the Christian life, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Ephesians 6:10-18. Despite being struck down, believers are "not destroyed," highlighting the resilience and enduring nature of faith. This resilience is rooted in the power of Christ's resurrection, which Paul discusses earlier in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10. The idea of not being destroyed also connects to the promise of eternal life and victory over death through Jesus Christ, as affirmed in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. This assurance provides hope and encouragement, reminding believers that while they may face temporary setbacks, their ultimate victory is secure in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. He is sharing his experiences and the resilience he has found through faith in Christ.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, both internally and externally.

3. Persecution of Early Christians
The early church faced significant persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities. This context is crucial for understanding the trials Paul describes.
Teaching Points
Resilience in Faith
Despite persecution, believers are not forsaken by God. This teaches us that God's presence is constant, even in our darkest moments.

Strength in Weakness
Being "struck down, but not destroyed" illustrates that while we may face severe trials, God's power sustains us. Our weaknesses are opportunities for God's strength to be revealed.

Hope in Suffering
The assurance that we are not destroyed provides hope. Suffering is temporary and serves a greater purpose in God's plan.

Community Support
The church is called to support one another in times of persecution, reflecting God's unfailing presence and love.

Eternal Perspective
Understanding that earthly trials are temporary encourages believers to focus on eternal rewards and the glory that awaits.(9) Persecuted, but not forsaken.--Better, perhaps, as expressing in both terms of the clause the condition of a soldier on the field of battle, pursued, yet not abandoned. The next clause is again distinctly military, or, perhaps, agonistic: stricken down (as the soldier by some dart or javelin), yet not perishing. In the "faint, yet pursuing," of Judges 8:4, we have an antithesis of the same kind in a narrative of actual warfare.

Verse 9. - Not forsaken. St. Paul, like the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, knew by blessed experience the truth of the promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5, 6). Cast down. Flung to the ground, as in some lost battle; yet not doomed, not "perishing." "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalm 37:24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
persecuted,
διωκόμενοι (diōkomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1377: To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

forsaken;
ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι (enkataleipomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1459: From en and kataleipo; to leave behind in some place, i.e. let remain over, or to desert.

struck down,
καταβαλλόμενοι (kataballomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2598: (a) mid: I lay, of a foundation, (b) met: I cast down, prostrate. From kata and ballo; to throw down.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

destroyed.
ἀπολλύμενοι (apollymenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 4:9 Pursued yet not forsaken (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 4:8
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