SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:9
padecemos persecución, mas no somos desamparados en ella ; somos abatidos, mas no perecemos;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:9
Verse 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken] diwkomenoi, allÆ ouk egkataleipomenoi. The diwkomenoi, pursued, is peculiar to the dromov, or race, when one being foremost others pursue, and get up close after him, endeavouring to outstrip him, but cannot succeed: this is the meaning of ouk egkataleipomenoi, not outstripped, or outgone, as the word implies. So in PLUTARCH: touv apoleifqentav ou stefanousi, they do not crown them that are distanced or left behind. So says the apostle, 1 Cor. ix. 24: All run, but only ONE receiveth the PRIZE. Cast down, but not destroyed.] kataballomenoi allÆ ouk apollumenoi. This also belongs to wrestlers, where he that throws the other first is conqueror. And so Hesychius: katabalei, vikhsei, riyei, to cast down is to overcome, to throw. And then, the being not destroyed signifies that, although they were thrown down-cast into troubles and difficulties, yet they rose again, and surmounted them all.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken , etc..] Pursued from place to place, and followed with menaces, curses, and reproaches; laid hold on, proscribed, imprisoned, and threatened with the severest tortures, and death itself; but our God never leaves us nor forsakes us; though we are followed close by evil men, and left by our friends, we are not forsaken of God: cast down we sometimes are, as an earthen vessel; ( 2 Corinthians 4:7), which may be cast out of a man's hands, in order to be dashed to pieces; or as a man in wrestling, (see Ephesians 6:12) may be thrown to the ground by his antagonist, so we are sometimes foiled by sin, Satan, and the world: but not destroyed ; we are still safe in the hands of Christ, and are kept by the power of God; and, indeed, to what else can all this be ascribed? it is surprising that earthen vessels should bear and suffer so much, and not fall, or be dashed to pieces.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-12 - The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. Ther may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are no destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ' resurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus. In compariso with them, other Christians were, even at that time, in prosperou circumstances.
Greek Textus Receptus
διωκομενοι 1377 5746 V-PPP-NPM αλλ 235 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N εγκαταλειπομενοι 1459 5746 V-PPP-NPM καταβαλλομενοι 2598 5746 V-PPP-NPM αλλ 235 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N απολλυμενοι 622 5730 V-PEP-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Persecuted - forsaken (diwkomenoi - egkataleipomenoi). Rev., for persecuted, pursued, the primary meaning of the verb, thus giving vividness to the figure. Forsaken, lit., left behind in (some evil plight). The figure is, pursued by enemies, but not left to their power: left in the lurch. Cast down - destroyed (kataballomenoi - apollumenoi). This carries on the previous figure. Though the pursuers overtake and smite down, yet are we not killed. Rev., smitten down. In all these paradoxes the A.V. fails to bring out the metaphors.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:9 {Forsaken} (egkataleipomenoi). Double compound of old verb eg-kata-leipw, to leave behind, to leave in the lurch. {Smitten down} (kataballomenoi). As if overtaken. {Destroyed} (apollumenoi). Perishing as in verse #3. Was Paul referring to Lystra when the Jews stoned him and thought him dead?
