ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 4 v8

AFFLICTED BUT NOT CRUSHED. CHRYSOSTOM: The afflictions come not only from enemies but even from our own households and friends. These things are permitted by God, not for our defeat but for our discipline. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 9.1.

GOD’S POWER REVEALED. THEODORET OF CYR: If none of these things ever happened, the greatness of God’s power would never be revealed. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 310.

FREEDOM IN AFFLICTION. ORIGEN: For God delivers us from afflictions not when we are no longer in affliction ( … Paul says “we are afflicted in every way,” as though there were never a time when we were not afflicted), but when in our affliction we are not crushed because of God’s help. “To be afflicted,” according to a colloquial usage of the Hebrews, has the meaning of a critical circumstance that happens to us without our free choice, while “to be crushed” implies our free choice and that it has been conquered by affliction and given into its power. And so Paul is right when he says, “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed.” ON PRAYER 30.1.

THE MYSTERY OF UNANSWERED PRAYER. ORIGEN: And unless we understand something that has escaped the notice of the many concerning praying not to enter into temptation, it is time to say that the apostles sometimes prayed and were not heard. How many thousand sufferings did they experience throughout their lifetimes with far greater labors, with far more beatings, with countless imprisonments, and often near death? Paul on his own received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one, was beaten with rods three times, was stoned once, was shipwrecked three times, was adrift at sea a night and a day. He was in every way afflicted, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. ON PRAYER 29.4.

2 Cor