2 Corinthians 4:8

“We are troubled on every side, etc..] Or afflicted; en panti, either “in every place”, wherever we are, into whatsoever country, city, or town we enter, we are sure to meet with trouble, of one sort or another; for wherever we be, we are in the world, in which we must expect tribulation: or “always”, every day and hour we live, as in (<470410>2 Corinthians 4:10,11) we are never free from one trial or another: or “by everyone”; by all sorts of persons, good and bad, professors and profane, open persecutors and false brethren; yea, some of the dear children of God, weak believers, give us trouble: or “with every sort” of trouble, inward and outward; trouble from the world, the flesh and the…”

“Greek, "BEING hard pressed, yet not inextricably straitened; reduced to inextricable straits" (nominative to "we have," Co2 4:7). on every side--Greek, "in every respect" (compare Co2 4:10, "always"; Co2 7:5). This verse expresses inward distresses; Co2 4:9, outward distresses (Co2 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.”

“We are troubled - We the apostles. Paul here refers to some of the trials to which he and his fellow laborers were subjected in making known the gospel. The “design” for which he does it seems to be to show them: What they endured in preaching the truth; To show the sustaining power of that gospel in the midst of afflictions; and, To conciliate their favor, or to remind them that they had endured these things on their account, 2 Corinthians 4:12-15. Perhaps one leading design was to recover the affections of those of the Corinthians whose heart had been alienated from him, by showing them how much he had endured on their account. For this purpose he freely opens his heart to them, and…”

“We are troubled, &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. 2 Corinthians 4:10”

“troubled: Co2 1:8-10, Co2 6:4, Co2 7:5, Co2 11:23-30 yet: Co2 4:16, Co2 4:17, Co2 12:10; Sa1 28:15, Sa1 30:6; Psa 56:2, Psa 56:3; Pro 14:26, Pro 18:10; Rom 5:3-5; Rom 8:35-37; Jam 1:2-4; Pe1 1:6, Pe1 1:7, Pe1 4:12-14 not in despair: or, not altogether without help, or means, Sa1 31:4; Job 2:9, Job 2:10; Psa 37:33; Joh 14:18; Co1 10:13 2 Corinthians 4:9”