What does it mean to be perplexed but not in despair (2 Corinthians 4:8)?

Answer

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul defends his ministry against those who would criticize him and the gospel he preaches. Chapter 4 is a crucial part of Paul’s argument, where he acknowledges the various weaknesses his detractors have pointed out, both physical and mental: “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” (2 Corinthians 10:10). Instead of highlighting his own strength, Paul emphasizes God’s power, which sustains him through every challenge: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7). In verses 8–9, he enumerates four difficulties but juxtaposes them with God’s protection and provision. Verse 8 presents one of these striking contrasts, as Paul declares that the apostles are “perplexed, but not in despair”: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

According to A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, the term for “perplexed” in the original language simply means to be “confused,” “uncertain,” or “in doubt.” An excellent illustration of this term is found in Galatians 4:20, where Paul experiences “pastoral perplexity” due to the Galatians’ inconsistent behavior. One moment, they were enthusiastic about the gospel, and the next, they were following false teachers (Galatians 4:14-17). Like many pastors throughout history, Paul encountered doubts and uncertainty about his ministry.Paul’s personal strength and the churches he established during his journeys (2 Corinthians 11:28-29). These are the uncertainties he expresses when he describes himself as “perplexed, but not in despair” «We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; » (2 Corinthians 4:8).

The term translated as “despair” unveils an intriguing wordplay: in the original language, it is the same term translated as “perplexed,” with the prefix ex- added. Similar to the word “extra” in English, the prefix ex- in this context accentuates the original term to its maximum. The concept is “beyond perplexed” or “completely perplexed.” Paul is conveying that he has encountered uncertainty and confusion, but not to the extent of despair or collapse. He has been puzzled, but not confounded; questioning, but not despairing; lost, but never losing everything. The core notion is that Paul has faced confusion and doubt, yet God has never permitted that perplexity to overpower him.

What about us? Like Paul, we frequently confront confusion and doubt. We may question why God permits adversity to befall us or whether someone we cherish will thrive in the Christian faith. These feelings of doubt are typical. Similar to Paul, we can find solace in the fact that God remains in charge of every circumstance in our lives. We can be “perplexed, but not in despair,” because we “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” «while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.» (2 Corinthians 4:18).