We are troubled on every side,— This and the following verses contain a beautiful and pathetic detail of the sufferings of the Apostles; and the contrast which runs through them gives an air of sublimity to the whole, at the same time that it conveys a noble ideaof the intrepidity of the first Christians. This passage may at first seem a digression, but nothing could be more pertinent to the Apostle's grand purpose. He aimed at recovering the affections of these Corinthians, which were much alienated from him: to this end he freely opens his heart towards them, and tenderly represents the many and grievous pressures and hardships to which love to souls, and love to theirs among the rest, exposed him. This seems to be the true key to this beautiful and pathetic passage. Instead of not distressed, Dr. Heylin reads, not crushed; and Dr. Doddridge, not utterly over-pressed. Στενοχωρουμενοι properly signifies crushed in a strait passage.
Related Commentaries of 2 Corinthians 4:8
2 Corinthians 4:8
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;b