The next two verses reveal not only what Paul felt but how we often feel as fragile earthen vessels: afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down (4:8–9). The adjectives in these verses present powerful images. “Afflicted” carries the idea of pressure, as when grapes get squeezed dry by a winepress. The Greek root is related to our word for “tribulation,” an especially intense and usually prolonged trial. But while the extreme pressure may squeeze us, it will not crush us (4:8). The word “perplexed”