Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:11

What does 2 Corinthians 4:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 4:11 means

Paul says that he and his companions, though alive, are continually handed over to death for Jesus’ sake. Their ongoing exposure to danger is not random misfortune; it is part of serving the Lord. Yet the aim remains life: that Jesus’ life may be manifested in their mortal flesh. The contrast is stark—mortal bodies displaying immortal life. In frail, temporary flesh, the enduring life of the risen Christ is shown. This undercuts the accusation that weakness disqualifies a minister; instead, it is precisely in weakness that the life of Jesus is revealed most clearly to others.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for always are we who are living delivered up to death because of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our dying flesh,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake: that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for we who live are always delivered unto death on account of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh;

Context

Building on verse 10, this verse emphasizes the continuous and Christ-oriented nature of Paul’s sufferings. The repetition deepens the theme that death-like experiences serve a life-giving purpose. It leads directly to verse 12’s concise summary of the dynamic at work: Paul’s hardships result in life for the Corinthians. The flow moves from personal explanation to corporate benefit, setting up the shift in verses 13–15 toward faith, resurrection hope, and the spread of grace for the glory of God.

v.10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.

v.11This passage

v.12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 15:53

    For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:31

    I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:49

    And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:4

    For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.

  • Psalms 44:22

    Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

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