For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

2 CORINTHIANS 1:8KJV
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2 Corinthians 1:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 1:8 mean?

In 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul tells the people he is writing to that he and his companions went through a frightening ordeal in Asia. The pressure was so severe that they saw no way to stay alive.

“Pressed out of measure” pictures a load too heavy to bear. Paul calls his readers “brethren,” a term of family-like closeness, as he shares what happened to him and those with him.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 1:8

  • “trouble” — θλῖψις (thlipsis): This word can mean pressure or distress. It gives the picture of being squeezed by difficult circumstances.
  • “despaired” — ἐξαπορέω (exaporeō): This word carries the sense of being utterly at a loss. Here Paul describes seeing no way out that would preserve their lives.

Why 2 Corinthians 1:8 matters

  • Paul wants his readers to know about the ordeal rather than remain unaware of it. “We would not … have you ignorant” introduces the account as something he deliberately shares.
  • The verse describes a real fear of death, not merely a demanding experience. “Above strength” and “despaired even of life” show how far the ordeal had pushed them.
  • Paul’s account prepares readers for his explanation in the next verses. His sense that death was near leads into his account of relying on God and being rescued.

Where else these words appear

“despaired” Greek G1820 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

“out” Greek G916 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
  • Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,(for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

“measure” Greek G5236 · used in 7 verses

  • Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

“Asia” Greek G773 · used in 19 verses

  • Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
  • Acts 19:27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
  • Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.