Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 7:5

What does 2 Corinthians 7:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 7:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 7:5 means

When Paul reached Macedonia, he found no rest. He faced conflicts and opposition from without and anxiety from within. This honest confession shows the humanity of an apostle who knew battle on every front—external pressures and internal concerns for the churches. Ministry often involves both tangible threats and the unseen weight of care. Paul’s transparency invites believers to acknowledge their own fears without shame. His unrest is not faithlessness but the cost of loving people deeply. The point is not to magnify the trouble but to frame the stage on which God will act. The very place of weariness becomes the setting for unexpected consolation and renewed courage.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, butwe wereafflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, butwe wereafflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For even when we had come into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; there were fightings outside and fears inside.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for also we, having come to Macedonia, no relaxation hath our flesh had, but on every side we are in tribulation, without <FI>are<Fi> fightings, within--fears;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For also, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest: but we suffered all tribulation. Combats without: fears within.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For indeed, when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but [we were] afflicted in every way; without combats, within fears.

Context

This verse explains the depth of Paul’s distress just before God’s comfort arrived. The account of “fightings” and “fears” leads straight into verse 6, where he names God as the comforter of the lowly and credits Titus’s coming as the means. The narrative arc shows that the comfort Paul celebrates in verse 4 did not come from improved circumstances but from relational good news delivered at just the right time.

v.4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

v.5This passage

v.6Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 4:8

    we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;

  • 2 Corinthians 12:20

    For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

  • 2 Corinthians 2:13

    I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.

  • Isaiah 33:12

    And the peoples shall be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire.

  • Job 18:11

    Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, And shall chase him at his heels.

  • Galatians 4:11

    I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

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