Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:10KJV
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2 Corinthians 4:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 4:10 mean?

2 Corinthians 4:10 means that Paul and his companions constantly experience hardships and even risk of death, reflecting the suffering that Jesus went through, so that the life and power of Jesus can also be seen in their own lives. The verse highlights both the reality of suffering and the hope of new life that comes through Jesus.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining his ministry and the challenges he faces as an apostle. He wants the believers to understand that his difficulties are not a sign of failure, but a way for Jesus’ life to be revealed through him. The verse uses the image of carrying "the dying of the Lord Jesus" in the body to show that following Jesus often involves sacrifice, but it also leads to a visible display of Jesus’ life and power.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 4:10

  • "Dying" (νέκρωσις, nekrosis): This word means a state of being dead or the process of dying. Paul uses it to describe the ongoing experience of suffering and self-denial, not just a one-time event.
  • "Manifest" (φανερόω, phaneroō): This word means to make visible or clear. Paul is saying that the life of Jesus is not just a hidden reality but is meant to be seen openly in the way believers live, even in their weakness.
  • "Body" (σῶμα, sōma): Paul repeats this word to emphasize that these experiences are not just spiritual or emotional—they are felt in real, physical ways.

Why 2 Corinthians 4:10 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Christian life is free from suffering; instead, it shows that hardship can be a way Jesus’ life is displayed in believers.
  • Paul’s emphasis connects his own struggles to the story of Jesus, helping the Corinthians see that suffering for the sake of Christ is meaningful and not pointless.
  • The verse ties into the wider passage where Paul talks about being "hard pressed on every side, but not crushed," showing that weakness and suffering are not the end, but a way for God’s power to be revealed.

Where else these words appear

“dying” Greek G3500 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

“about” Greek G4064 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 6:55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
  • Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
  • Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

“Always” Greek G3842 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
  • Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

“manifest” Greek G5319 · used in 43 verses

  • Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
  • Titus 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;