2 Corinthians 4 · Verse 12

2 Corinthians 4:12

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4:12, King James Version

2 Corinthians 4:12 in other translations

BSBSo then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
WEBSo then death works in us, but life in you.
ASVSo then death worketh in us, but life in you.
YLTso that, the death indeed in us doth work, and the life in you.
DARBYso that death works in us, but life in you.
BBESo then, death is working in us, but life in you.
WebsterSo then death worketh in us, but life in you.

What does 2 Corinthians 4:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. The "death" of Christ manifested in the continual "perishing of our outward man" (2Co 4:16), works peculiarly in us, and is the means of working spiritual "life" in you. The life whereof we witness in our bodily dying, extends beyond ourselves, and is brought by our very dying to you.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. So then death worketh in us. We are exposed to death. The preaching of the gospel exposes us to trials which may be regarded as death working in us. Death has an energy over us, (ενεργειται is at work, is active, or operates; it is constantly employed in inflicting pains on us, and subjecting us to privation and trims. This is a strong and emphatic mode of saying that they were always exposed to death. We are called to serve and glorify the Redeemer, as it were, By repeated deaths and by constantly dying.

But life in you. You live as the effect of our being constantly exposed to death. You reap the advantage of all our exposure to trials, and of all our sufferings. You are comparatively safe; are freed from this exposure to death; and will receive eternal life as the fruit of our toils and exposures. Life, here, may refer either to exemption from danger and death, or it may refer to the life of religion, the hopes of piety, the prospect of eternal salvation. To me it seems most probable that Paul means to use it in the latter sense, and that he designs to say that while he was exposed to death, and called to endure constant trial, the effect would be that they would obtain, in consequence of his sufferings, the blessedness of eternal life. Comp. 2Cor 4:15. Thus understood, this passage means that the sufferings and self-denials of the apostles were for the good of others, and would result in their benefit and salvation; and the design of Paul here is to remind them of his sufferings in their behalf, in order to conciliate their favour, and bind them more closely to him by the remembrance of his sufferings on their account.

(b) "then death" 2Cor 13:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 Death worketh in us, etc. - We apostles are in continual danger, and live a dying life; while you who have received this Gospel from us are in no danger.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ's…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 →

2 Corinthians 4:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὥστεhōsteSo thenG5620
ὁho<the>G3588
θάνατοςthanatosdeathG2288
ἐνeninG1722
ἡμῖνhēminusG3165
ἐνεργεῖται,energeitaiworks,G1754
ἡhē<the>G3588
δὲdehoweverG1161
ζωὴzōēlifeG2222
ἐνeninG1722
ὑμῖν.¶huminyou.G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 4:12

  • 2 Corinthians 13:9

    For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:10

    We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

  • 1 John 3:16

    Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

  • Acts 20:24

    But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

  • Philippians 2:17

    Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:15

    And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

  • Philippians 2:30

    Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
death.
12:15; 13:9; Ac 20:24; 1Co 4:10; Php 2:17,30; 1Jo 3:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 4:11

    For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:12

    So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:13

    We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Read all of 2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		De manera que la muerte obra en nosotros, y en vosotros la vida.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ainsi donc la mort opère en nous, mais la vie en vous.
German
Elberfelder 1871		So denn wirkt der Tod in uns, das Leben aber in euch.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ergo mors in nobis operatur, vita autem in vobis.