2 Corinthians 4:11–18

Verse 12. Death worketh in us, when we are under persecutions, and dangers of death, and life in you, who live in ease and plenty. Witham.—The preaching of the gospel, which we undertake in such a disinterested manner, and which exposes us to so many dangers, is the cause of death to us, but of life to you. It draws down upon us a thousand dangers and disgraces; but procures you all kinds of advantages. You tranquilly enjoy the fruit of our labour, though we do not envy you this happiness, because we hope one day to enjoy the reward of our labours. Calmet.

Verse 13. We also believe, and so forth That is, we have the like faith as David, when he spoke in that manner; we hope and believe, God will deliver us, or at least raise us up from the dead with Jesus. Witham.

NU reads with instead of through .

Verse 15. and so forth For all things, that we suffer, are for your sakes, that many may be brought to give thanks, and to praise God for eternity. This encourages us not to fail, nor faint in the cause of God, under these momentary and light tribulations, which mark in us above measure, an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. See the Greek text. Witham.

Verse 17. Worketh. In the Greek, κατεργαζεται, which the English Bible of the year 1577 falsely renders by prepareth, unwilling to allow, with the apostle, that tribulation worketh eternal glory. The ardour with which the apostle speaks is sufficient to inspire the most timid with courage. A life full of crosses, labours, persecutions, injuries, and so forth he calls momentary and light, if compared with the eternal, immense, and incomprehensible glory prepared for us. Saint Augustine—All earthly substance, compared with the happiness of heaven, is rather a loss than a gain. This life, when put in comparison with that to come, is rather a death than life. Saint Gregory in Evangel.