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2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – It Means What It Means
“It means what it means.” Said that in class and some found it humorous, and I can understand why. Doesn’t everything mean what it means? Ever hear, “I didn’t mean it like that!” Or sometimes words have a figurative and not literal meaning. Then again there is hyperbole to make a point. So, why did I say, “It means what it means?” Paul said in 2 Cor.4:8, “we are perplexed (aporeo) but not in despair (exaporeo).” Perplexed means, confused, at wit’s end, doubtful, at a loss. Despair means the same thing with an extra oommfftt (that sounds like what it means). Paul is very human and shows it in this letter and in this confession. Its OK to be emotionally thrown for a loop by life – even by living the Christian life – as long as we understand it must not and should not lead to despair, to giving up. The secret to success is that we must carry the death of Jesus in our body so that life of Jesus may be revealed in our body (2 Cor.4:10). Going back to Paul’s confession, one way to translate this verse is, “I was at a loss, but not utterly at a loss.” Ever feel like that? Paul had. Jesus did. But both knew a resurrection was coming.
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