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I. To the secular eye he was UNKNOWN; to the spiritual, WELL KNOWN.

1. The world has never yet rightly understood the real life of a Christian. To the world, Paul appeared a fanatic. John says, the "world knoweth us not." The world does not understand self-sacrificing love. It understands ambition, greed, revenge, but not this.

2. This explains martyrdom, ay, and the crucifixion of Christ. But though thus unknown to men, they are well-known —

(1) To Christ, Christ knows all about His disciples; their inner life and outward circumstances.

(2) To heavenly spirits. They are famous in heaven. At their conversion heaven rejoiced, and over every step of their subsequent history heaven watches with a loving care. "He giveth His angels charge over thee."

II. To the one DYING; to the other LIVING.

1. To worldly men Paul appeared as mortal as other men; with a frame scourged, wasted, he was nothing but a dying man.

2. But, spiritually, he was living. The soul within that dying body was living a wonderful life — a life of Christly inspirations and aims.

III. To the one, MUCH TRIED; to the other, NOT DESTROYED. The word chastened here refers to his scourgings. For a catalogue of his sufferings, see 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. To worldly spectators he, with all his wounds, would appear a dead man; but his spiritual purposes, enjoyments, and hopes were not killed,

IV. To the one, VERY SORROWFUL; to the other, ALWAYS REJOICING.

V. TO the one, VERY POOR; to the other, WEALTH-GIVING.

1. Paul and his colleagues had suffered the loss of all things. Often breadless, homeless, and clad in rags.

2. Yet spiritually they were not only rich, but made others rich.

(1) The highest work of man is to impart spiritual riches to his brother man. The most dignified and delectable work is this.

(2) Worldly poverty does not disqualify a man for the discharge of this sublime mission. The gospel is to be diffused not by man as a scholar, philosopher, but by man as man.

VI. To the one, DESTITUTE; to the other, ENORMOUSLY RICH. "All things are yours." Christliness gives us an interest in all things. They are given to man to enjoy. Conclusion: Do not estimate life by appearances.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

WEB: as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;