Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:10

What does 2 Corinthians 4:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 4:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 4:10 means

Paul interprets his hardships as a constant bearing of Jesus’ dying in his body. This does not mean mere private sorrow; it is a public, bodily participation in the cross-shaped path of Jesus. The purpose is that “the life also of Jesus” might be revealed in him. In losses, weakness, and wounds, the risen power of Jesus becomes visible. Suffering is not an end in itself; it is the theater where resurrection life shows up. When people see Paul not crushed, not in despair, not destroyed, they glimpse Jesus’ life sustaining him. The apostle is conformed to Christ’s pattern—death leading to life—so that others may see the living Lord at work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

at all times the dying of the Lord Jesus bearing about in the body, that the life also of Jesus in our body may be manifested,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body;

Context

After narrating how God preserves him (verses 8–9), Paul now explains why: his sufferings are a canvas for displaying Jesus’ life. This theological reading reframes afflictions as purposeful within God’s plan. Verse 11 will expand this idea, stressing the continual nature of being delivered to death for Jesus’ sake. The movement is from experience to interpretation, preparing for verse 12’s summary that Paul’s death-like trials serve the Corinthians’ life.

v.9pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;

v.10This passage

v.11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 8:36

    Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

  • Acts 18:9

    And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:

  • 2 Corinthians 13:4

    for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.

  • Philippians 3:10

    that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death;

  • Galatians 6:17

    Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.

  • Romans 6:8

    But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;

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