| Geneva Study Bible We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; People's New Testament 4:8,9 In these two verses are four pairs of contrasts which should the frailty of the instruments and the greatness of the power: (1) Troubled on every side, yet not distressed. pressed on every side (Revised Version), but not hemmed in by the pressure. (2) Perplexed, but not in despair. In apparently overwhelming difficulties, but never reduced to despair. (3) Persecuted, but not forsaken. Persecuted by their enemies, but not forsaken and delivered over to them. (4) Cast down, but not destroyed. Overthrown and cast to the earth, but even then rescued from the enemy, standing over them prostrate, so that they are not destroyed. Wesley's Notes 4:8 We are troubled, and c. - The four articles in this verse respect inward, the four in the next outward, afflictions. In each clause the former part shows the earthen vessels; the latter, the excellence of the power. Not crushed - Not swallowed up in care and anxiety. Perplexed - What course to take, but never despairing of his power and love to carry us through. King James Translators' Notes in despair: or, altogether without help, or, means Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 8. Greek, "BEING hard pressed, yet not inextricably straitened; reduced to inextricable straits" (nominative to "we have," 2Co 4:7). on every side-Greek, "in every respect" (compare 2Co 4:10, "always"; 2Co 7:5). This verse expresses inward distresses; 2Co 4:9, outward distresses (2Co 7:5). "Without were fightings; within were fears." The first clause in each member of the series of contrasted participles, implies the earthiness of the vessels; the second clause, the excellency of the power. perplexed, but not in despair-Greek, "not utterly perplexed." As perplexity refers to the future, so "troubled" or "hard pressed" refers to the present. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 4:8-12 The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus. In comparison with them, other Christians were, even at that time, in prosperous circumstances. | 
