2 Corinthians 4:16

16 So we aren't depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:16

For which cause we faint not
Since our afflictions are overruled for the good of others, and the glory of God, we are not discouraged by them; our spirits do not sink under the weight of them; we do not give out from the work of the ministry because of them, but go on cheerfully therein: and the more so, since

though our outward man perish;
our outward circumstances of life are very mean and despicable; we are oftentimes in a very distressed condition through hunger, thirst, nakedness, and want of the common necessaries of life; our bodies are almost worn out with fatigue, labour, and sorrow; our earthly tabernacles are tottering, and just ready to fall in pieces:

yet the inward man is renewed day by day;
that is, continually; it answers to (Mwy Mwyw) , an Hebraism; see ( Esther 2:11 ) ( 3:4 ) the internal hidden man of the heart, the new man is in a prosperous condition; our souls are in good health; the work of God is comfortably carried on in us; we have sweet and repeated experiences of the love of God; we are growing in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ; and, like the palm tree, the more weight is hung upon it, the more it thrives; and, like the children of Israel in Egypt, the more they were afflicted the more they grew.

2 Corinthians 4:16 In-Context

14 We do this because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and he will bring us into his presence along with you.

15 All these things are for your benefit. As grace increases to benefit more and more people, it will cause gratitude to increase, which results in God's glory.

16 So we aren't depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day.

17 Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison.

18 We don't focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can't be seen. The things that can be seen don't last, but the things that can't be seen are eternal.