What does it mean that we are pressed but not crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8)?

Answer

The apostle Paul compares the ministry of the gospel to a “treasure in jars of clay.” In Paul’s metaphor, God stores the priceless gospel ministry in fragile, everyday human vessels. Then Paul lists some of the real hardships he and other ministers encounter: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Jars of clay are common, earthenware containers, but the ministry of the gospel is the most valuable treasure on earth. The New Living Translation makes Paul’s meaning evident: “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10;NLT).

Paul cites four contrasts to show the lives of gospel ministers are like ordinary jars of clay containing a precious possession. First, he describes the hardships they experience. Then he explains how God’s power sustains them through times of adversity.

“We are pressed but not crushed” is the first hardship and corresponding display of God’s power. The word for “pressed,” in the original Greek, means “afflicted, to be brought into difficulties, trouble, distress, or suffering.” The term translated “crushed” is similar but speaks of being afflicted or distressed to the point of tTotal hopelessness is described as being in a situation without any hope of escape or survival. Paul asserts that even when placed under the most severe pressure and strain, the jar of clay—the frail human minister in a perishing body made of dust—will not be broken or smashed to the point of hopelessness and despair because of the great treasure held within—the gospel of Jesus Christ or the grace and truth of God.

“We are pressed but not crushed” means that even though we suffer tremendous affliction, we will not be overcome by it because of God’s sustaining power. We have the treasure of Christ within us and the message of the gospel, which is the power of God. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

Paul often spoke of suffering as part of the Christian experience, especially for ministers of the gospel (Galatians 6:17; Philippians 3:10-11). “If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17, NLT). We should not be surprised or give up when we experience hardships, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, NLT). Although we may feel hard-pressed on every side, the power of God working within us will never leave us without hope.

Psalm 94:14; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20.

We find hope in this life because we are aware that the challenges we face as followers of Christ will lead to future glory in the afterlife. Our suffering serves an eternal purpose: “Yes, we live under constant threat of death because we are serving Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be revealed in our dying bodies” «For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.», (2 Corinthians 4:11, NLT). The life of Christ is demonstrated through what God accomplishes in our fragile earthly vessels. Our trials provide an opportunity for God’s power to be displayed, while also bearing witness to the death and resurrection life of Jesus «This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.», (2 Timothy 2:11).

Paul never sugarcoated the Christian journey, and neither should we. To speak truthfully about what it entails to be a dedicated minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, like Paul, we must not gloss over the gritty and sometimes harsh realities. There will be moments when we feel pressured by troubles from every side, but we will not be crushed. We can acknowledge when our circumstances are confusing, yet they will never lead to hopelessness and despair. We might feel pursued at times, but God will never forsake us. Even if we are knocked down, with God’s power within us, we will not be destroyed. The invaluable treasure hidden within us assures us “that when this earthly tent we live in is dismantled (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body prepared by God Himself” «For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of

“God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” , (2 Corinthians 5:1, NLT).