*2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Despite ongoing troubles, Paul emphasizes God’s power at work in him and the ministry he carries out.
- Ministry and Integrity:
- Paul asserts his commitment to his ministry, received through God’s mercy, which he conducts with openness and integrity.
- He renounces secret and shameful ways, does not use deception, nor does he distort the word of God, but presents the truth plainly, appealing to the conscience of every person in the sight of God.
- Blinded Minds:
- Paul acknowledges that if the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- He explains that the minds of unbelievers have been blinded by the “god of this age” (Satan), preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Proclaiming Jesus, Not Ourselves:
- Paul emphasizes that his preaching is not about himself but about Jesus Christ as Lord, and about himself and his fellow workers as servants for Jesus’ sake.
- He draws a parallel to the creation story, saying God made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
- Treasure in Jars of Clay:
- Paul compares believers to “jars of clay” to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us, highlighting the contrast between the fragility of human vessels and the immense power of God.
- Despite afflictions, hardships, and persecutions, Paul describes the resilience of the apostles, portraying their suffering as a way to show Jesus’ life through their mortal flesh.
- Steadfast Faith:
- Inspired by Psalm 116:10, Paul speaks about having the same spirit of faith and confidently proclaims his faith despite challenges.
- He views all trials as opportunities for grace to extend to more people, increasing thanksgiving to the glory of God.
- Renewal and Eternal Glory:
- Paul encourages not to lose heart, noting that though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
- He characterizes the troubles faced as light and momentary, leading to an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
- He concludes by focusing on what is unseen rather than what is seen, as the unseen is eternal, whereas the seen is temporary.
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 reminds us not to lose heart, even when life is hard. Our struggles may feel heavy, but God gives us the strength to keep going. The challenges we face are temporary, but the hope we have in Him lasts forever. This teaches us to focus on what really matters—our faith and the future God has for us. We can apply this by trusting Him in difficult times, staying hopeful, and remembering that His light shines through us, even in our weakest moments.
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 (WEB)
4:1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying, 4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. 5 For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake, 6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death works in us, but life in you.13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.16 Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, 18 while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.