Note 13 at 2 Cor. 4:11: The fact that this "death" results in the life of Christ "being made manifest in our mortal flesh," has caused some to believe that it is God destining these problems as an opportunity for Christ to manifest His life through us. That is not the case. Satan is the one who comes with afflictions and persecutions for the purpose of stealing God's Word out of our hearts (see note 4 at Mk. 4:16, p. 193).

Paul is simply saying that godly believers (2 Tim. 3:12) are constantly persecuted because of their stand for Christ, yet this results in the life of Christ being manifest just that much more in our mortal flesh as we lean on Him.