2 CORINTHIANS 4:16 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day — the anthropological dualism distinguishes the external (exō) body, subject to decay, from the internal (esō) person, being renovated (anakainoō). Daily renewal (kath' hēmeran) marks gradual metamorphosis even as flesh corrupts. This is the Christian paradox: physical dissolution concurrent with spiritual transformation.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 4:16
“Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” How does it decay? Being scourged, being persecuted, suffering ten thousand extremities. “Yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” How is it renewed? By faith, by hope, by a forward will, finally, by braving those extremities. For in proportion as the body suffers ten thousand things, in the like proportion has the soul goodlier hopes and becomes brighter, like gold…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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