2 Corinthians 4:9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Original Language Analysis
διωκόμενοι
Persecuted
G1377
διωκόμενοι
Persecuted
Strong's:
G1377
Word #:
1 of 8
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι
forsaken
G1459
ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι
forsaken
Strong's:
G1459
Word #:
4 of 8
to leave behind in some place, i.e., (in a good sense) let remain over, or (in a bad sense) to desert
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Cross References
Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.Micah 7:8Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.Proverbs 24:16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.Psalms 42:11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.2 Corinthians 7:6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;Isaiah 62:4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.Psalms 9:10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.Psalms 42:5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.Psalms 22:1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Historical Context
The verb forms are all present passive participles, indicating ongoing, repeated actions done to Paul by others. This wasn't hypothetical theology but lived reality. His persecutors (likely both Jewish opponents and Greco-Roman authorities) sought to silence him permanently. Yet the passive construction implies divine preservation: God allows the blows but prevents destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you felt 'cast down'—and what convinced you that you weren't 'destroyed'?
- How does Paul's experience of being 'persecuted but not forsaken' speak to times when God seems absent in suffering?
- What practical difference does it make to know you can be knocked down but not knocked out?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Persecuted, but not forsaken (diōkomenoi all' ouk enkatalipomenoi, διωκόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι)—diōkō (διώκω, 'to pursue, persecute') describes active, hostile pursuit. Enkatalipō (ἐγκαταλείπω, 'to abandon, forsake utterly') is the cry of Psalm 22:1 that Jesus quoted on the cross: 'Why hast thou forsaken me?' Paul faces persecution but never divine abandonment.
Cast down, but not destroyed (kataballomenoi all' ouk apollymenoi, καταβαλλόμενοι ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀπολλύμενοι)—kataballō (καταβάλλω, 'to throw down, strike down') evokes combat imagery; apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι, 'to destroy utterly, perish') is total obliteration. Paul is knocked down repeatedly but not knocked out. The four contrasts build from external pressure (v. 8a) to internal confusion (v. 8b) to relational hostility (v. 9a) to physical violence (v. 9b)—none succeed in destroying the treasure within the clay pot.