8 Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them; 9 We are cruelly attacked, but not without hope; we are made low, but we are not without help; 10 In our bodies there is ever the mark of the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our bodies. 11 For, while living, we are still being given up to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our flesh, though it is under the power of death.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:8-11
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
(Read 2 Corinthians 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.