What does it mean to be persecuted but not forsaken (2 Corinthians 4:9)?

Answer

Paul defends his apostleship to the Corinthians so they can be encouraged and strengthened in the certainty of the gospel. “Do you think we are trying to defend ourselves to you again? We speak before God in Christ, and all for your upbuilding,” (2 Corinthians 12:19). In his letter, Paul recounts the challenges and persecutions he and other apostles faced. He acknowledges being “persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed,” (2 Corinthians 4:9, ESV).

Paul was grateful to preach a message of grace and freedom rather than law and bondage (2 Corinthians 3). Due to the significance of this ministry, he and the other apostles did not lose heart. Instead, they were bold in proclaiming the truth (2 Corinthians 4:1-2). They had clear consciences as they carried out the ministry of sharing that truth, even though many were blinded and rejected the message (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Their proclamation was not based on their own strength or wisdom; they preached Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5-6). They acknowledged their own weaknesses and limitations, recognizing themselves as mere vessels for a divine message of grace. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us,” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

(2 Corinthians 4:7)—and the power of the message was not from themselves. Consequently, the Corinthians could trust in the apostles’ message because it was genuine and came from God.

The apostles were not the origin of the power; they were merely servants of it. Paul emphasizes their own limitations and weaknesses when he explains that they are afflicted in every way, but not crushed «We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; », (2 Corinthians 4:8a)—they faced hardship, but that hardship could not overcome them because they stood in the truth. They were perplexed, but not in despair. They grappled with perhaps even a degree of anxiety but would not succumb to depression due to the certainty of their hope «We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; », (2 Corinthians 4:8b). They were persecuted but not abandoned «persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; », (2 Corinthians 4:9a)—even though many had rejected their message and sometimes violently, Paul knew they were not alone. God had not deserted them, regardless of how harshly some rejected them. They had even been physically struck down, but they were not obliterated «persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; », (2 Corinthians 4:9b). Regardless of the challenges they encountered, the apostles acknowledged it was nothing as intense as what Christ had faced, and they were simply carrying out what He had tasked them to do (2 Corinthians 4:10-11). Even in their weakness and the difficulties they faced, they kept in mind the purpose of their ministry: that people could accept Christ by faith and have life “So then death works in us, but life in you.”, (2 Corinthians 4:12).

Everything Paul and the other apostles encountered, they did so for the benefit of those who would receive their message “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might increase through the thanksgiving of many to the glory of God.”, (2 Corinthians 4:15). So, even in challenging and painful situations, they would not lose heart “For which cause we do not lose heart; but though our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”, (2 Corinthians 4:16). They were not fixated on the temporary difficulties; instead, they focused on the eternal significance of the ministry God had entrusted to them (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

In some ways, we too may encounter persecution and hardship, but if we are enduring for that which holds eternal value, then we are not abandoned. God never leaves or forsakes those who are His (John 10:27-31;Hebrews 13:5). We can focus on Him—like the apostles did—and not lose heart (see Hebrews 12:1-3).