1Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint. 2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying, 4in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. 5For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake, 6seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves. 8We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 9pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12So then death works in us, but life in you.
13But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak, 14knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, 18while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
I once had a brother-in-law who had all types of physical ailments. He had a permanently dislocated shoulder, and the list went on and on. When I would ask him how he was doing, he would always answer, “I hurt. I hurt most of the time. But, when I am hurting, I know that I am alive.” It seemed like a strange answer, but now that I am growing older and have my own list of woes, I get the pain thing. Paul is writing this chapter to communicate about the pains in his life and to inform how he deals with them.
To summarize, he is saying that no matter what the adversity, the Lord is faithful in seeing him through it. Dear reader, you may also feel that you are “pressed on every side” at times. Yet, Paul tells you that, despite that pressure, you will not be crushed. And in spite of that crushing, you need not despair.
Paul goes a step further in saying that he is pursued and struck down, but he is not forsaken or destroyed. The words “persecuted” and “pursued” both stem from the same Latin word, meaning “follow.” Sometimes it seems like we’re being pursued by persecution. The truth of the matter is that we are. Trouble follows us. Sometimes it is of our own making, but often it is from an outside force and influence. Peter tells us, 8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 WEB)
When you are knocked down or face adversity, do not despair. When you are perplexed, feeling unsure or confused about your surroundings and your circumstances, don’t fall into a pit of despair. Paul emphasizes that when we overcome difficulties, we are mirroring Jesus’ death and resurrection. That is a strange thought. Paul says, “So that the life of Jesus might be revealed in our bodies.” When a believer goes through difficulties by putting their faith and trust in Jesus, they are a picture of His suffering, death, and resurrection. That may not be much consolation when you’re in the midst of the fire, but hold on! Part of being alive is going through pain and difficulties. Peaceful times without trials are not the norm; they are the exception. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and through His marvelous grace, you will pass through the fire, and you will overcome. Your struggles and suffering have a higher purpose. They will bring you into a deeper and more dependent relationship with Jesus. In 2002, a man named Darrell Evans released a song that embodies this thought. We sing, “I’m trading my sorrows. I’m trading my pain. I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.” Then in the third stanza, Darrell writes,
I am pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy’s gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes in the morning.
Trade your sorrows today, and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. The joy can only be found in the Lord. Just so you know, you can do so because HE IS ABLE.