The phrase “we are pressed but not crushed” comes from 2 Corinthians 4:8, which says “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.” This verse gives us insight into the trials and suffering Christians may face, yet also the hope we have in Christ.
The context of this verse is Paul describing the hardships he and other believers endured in their ministry. In verse 8, he acknowledges they were “afflicted in every way.” The Greek word for “afflicted” refers to being under pressure, squeezed, or placed in a difficult situation. Christians face various trials, including persecution, illness, grief, financial troubles, relationship issues, and more. Yet while pressed or squeezed, Paul declares they are “not crushed.” The Greek for “crushed” means to be broken in pieces or shattered. No matter the affliction, believers are not completely crushed by life’s hardships.
Paul also says they are “perplexed but not driven to despair.” The word “perplexed” in Greek refers to being unsure, at a loss, or confused. Christians can feel perplexed in the midst of adversity, not fully understanding God’s purposes. Yet despite confusion, they are not driven to utter despair. The Greek for “despair” conveys hopeless resignation. Though perplexed, Christians still have hope and do not abandon their faith.
So what does this mean for believers today? While pressed by difficult circumstances, we are not utterly crushed. Why? Because God sustains us in the midst of trials. As Psalm 94:18-19 declares, “When I said, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Even when we feel squeezed and unsure, God’s love and presence uplift us. We have hope in Christ.
This does not mean Christians will be spared from all hardship. But we have God’s comfort and strength to endure. As 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 explains, “So we do not lose heart…For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Our afflictions are temporary and allowed by God for our growth. One day we will receive eternal blessings.
Additionally, while pressed we gain greater dependence on Christ. As 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 states, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Human weakness allows God’s strength to shine through.
In summary, being pressed but not crushed reminds us that with God’s help we can endure any challenge life brings. Our afflictions are temporary and allowed by God. Through them we gain spiritual strength and come to rely more on Christ. Though pressed on all sides, we are upheld by God’s everlasting love and comfort. No hardship can separate us from Him (Romans 8:35-39). We have victory in Jesus. What great hope and reassurance this verse from 2 Corinthians offers believers!
1. Trials Christians Face
Christians face various pressing trials and afflictions in life. According to 2 Corinthians 4:8, Paul says they were “afflicted in every way.” Some examples of afflictions believers may endure include:
- Persecution – Christians in many nations face persecution for their faith, including threats, imprisonment, and even death. Persecution can come from governments, terror groups, or individuals hostile to Christianity. Even in more tolerant societies, believers may face forms of ridicule and discrimination for following Christ (2 Timothy 3:12).
- Physical Illness – Christians are not immune to sickness, disease and physical disability. Afflictions of the body can range from chronic conditions to terminal illness. Timothy is one example in Scripture of a godly servant who battled frequent stomach ailments and other infirmities (1 Timothy 5:23).
- Mental Distress – Christians may struggle at times with conditions like depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, and eating disorders. The mind and emotions can be plagued by afflictions just as the physical body can. Mental distress can negatively impact one’s spiritual life as well.
- Grief and Loss – The death of loved ones, miscarriages, divorce, unemployment, broken friendships – these and many other losses can bring crushing grief. Christians are not exempt from the pain of such difficult losses even when they have hope in eternity.
- Financial Pressures – From job loss to exorbitant medical bills, many believers face great stress related to finances. Debt, poverty, lack of basic needs, supporting a family, and giving to ministry are some examples of money-related afflictions Christians may face.
- Injustice and Abuse – Christians may suffer from various forms of injustice, exploitation or abuse – racism, sex trafficking, discrimination, bullying, violence, etc. The sinful brokenness of the world brings much affliction.
In all these examples and more, Christians can identify with being “pressed” and “afflicted” like Paul describes. But the key is that through faith in Christ, we are not crushed or driven to utter despair. God brings comfort and strength to persevere.
2. God Sustains Us in Affliction
If Christians were left on their own to withstand affliction, we would surely be crushed. But Scripture gives several reasons why believers are not utterly crushed when pressed by trials:
- God’s Presence – God does not abandon us in affliction. Deuteronomy 31:6 declares, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” God is always with us.
- God’s Purpose – Affliction is not meaningless suffering. God uses it for His purposes – to refine us, train us in righteousness, make us rely more on Christ, and equip us to comfort others (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
- God’s Comfort – The Holy Spirit is our Comforter through every trial. As Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). The Spirit brings consolation.
- God’s Strength – We have strength to endure through Christ who lives in us. As Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- God’s People – The church provides encouragement, prayer, support, and community during affliction. Other believers comfort us as God comforts them (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
- God’s Promises – Scriptures like Psalm 23, Romans 8, and many others remind us of God’s steadfast love and reassure us that we are safe in His hands no matter what happens.
Believers are not crushed because the everlasting God walks with us every step through affliction. He bears us up with His strength, comfort and purposes. And He reminds us our trials are momentary compared to eternity with Him (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
3. Affliction Produces Godly Character
Being pressed or squeezed has a purpose according to Scripture. Afflictions, though hard to endure, produce godly character when we respond correctly to them. Here are some of the ways affliction can spiritually benefit and strengthen believers:
- Greater dependence on God – Hardships teach us to rely fully on God rather than ourselves. We learn His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- Perseverance and maturity – Afflictions develop perseverance, character and hope in our lives as we walk through them in faith (Romans 5:3-4).
- Eternal perspective – Afflictions keep our focus on heaven and store up eternal rewards rather than earthly comforts (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Matthew 6:19-21).
- Tool for ministry – The comfort God provides in our afflictions equips us to comfort others in any trouble (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
- Refinement of faith – Hardships refine and purify our faith as heat purifies gold. They show what is genuine (1 Peter 1:6-7).
- Greater intimacy with Christ – In weakness and humility we come to know Jesus more deeply as our strength and sufficiency for every trial (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
- Confidence in God’s goodness – Afflictions give opportunities to see God’s faithfulness and care, building confidence in His goodness (Psalm 23:4-6).
While affliction itself is difficult to rejoice in, we can rejoice in how God uses it for our spiritual maturity and eternal good (James 1:2-4). The trials of this life are achieving for us “an eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
4. Biblical Examples of Being Pressed But Not Crushed
Scripture contains many examples of godly people who endured great afflictions, yet were not completely crushed by them. They persevered through God’s sustaining grace:
- Joseph – Though sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned, Joseph maintained faith in God saying, “God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). He rose to leadership in Egypt, saving many lives.
- David – When relentlessly pursued by Saul, David wrote Psalms crying out to God for deliverance, patience and hope amid distress. He ultimately became king.
- Job – After losing everything, Job still blessed God saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). God later restored Job.
- Paul – Beaten, shipwrecked, persecuted, yet Paul trusted God’s strength was perfected in his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). He continued missionary journeys.
- Jesus – Though forsaken by all and crucified unjustly, Jesus entrusted himself to God enduring the cross (Hebrews 12:2-3). He rose again victoriously.
These biblical examples show us that with faith in God, believers can endure all manner of affliction without being completely crushed or destroyed. We do not persevere by our own strength but through Christ in us (Philippians 4:13).
5. We Will Face Trials, But the Victory Is Won
Scripture does not promise Christians lives free of affliction or hardship. But it does promise we can face any challenge without being crushed through the power of Christ. Consider these final truths:
- Jesus told His disciples they would have trouble in this world, but to take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
- Followers of Christ will face persecution and hatred from the world, but nothing can separate us from God’s love (Matthew 10:22, Romans 8:35-39).
- God may allow testing of our faith through various trials, but He promises to always provide a way out – we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- At times God may even discipline His children, but it is an expression of His love and for our good, that we may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:7-11).
- Our momentary afflictions are slight and temporary compared to the eternal glory and joy awaiting us (2 Corinthians 4:17, Romans 8:18).
No matter how difficult the affliction, the victory is already won through Christ! We will share in His resurrection and defeat of sin. So amid trials today, take courage that you will not be crushed. God is your refuge and strength.
