2 Corinthians 4:8 - Exposition

Troubled ; afflicted, as in 2 Corinthians 1:4 . On every side; in everything . Distressed ; rather, driven to straits . Perplexed, but not in despair. In the original is a beautiful paronomasia, which might, perhaps, be represented in English by "pressed, but not oppressed." Literally the words mean, being at a loss, but not utterly at a loss . In the special anguish of trial of which he spoke in 2 Corinthians 1:8 , he was indeed for a time "utterly at a loss," reduced to utter despair; but in the normal conditions which he here describes he always, as it were, saw some outlet out of his worst perplexities.