Don’t Give Up – The Light of Jesus Shines Through Us (2 Corinthians 4:1–18)
Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes we feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed. But in 2 Corinthians 4, the apostle Paul encourages us to keep going—because even when life is hard, God is at work in us. His light shines through our weakness, and He’s preparing something amazing for us in the end.
Let’s break down this inspiring chapter in plain, everyday language.
We Don’t Give Up
Paul starts by saying that because of God’s mercy, he and his team don’t give up. Even though they face hardship, they keep sharing the message of Jesus with honesty and humility. They don’t twist God’s Word or try to impress people—they simply tell the truth.
Simple takeaway:
When life is tough, we don’t give up—because God is the one who called us.
Shining the Light of Jesus
Paul explains that some people don’t understand the message about Jesus. It’s like their minds are covered in darkness. But when God opens their hearts, they see the light of Jesus—just like when God said, “Let there be light” at the beginning of the world.
He says the Good News shows us the glory of Jesus, who is the image of God.
Simple takeaway:
Jesus brings light into our hearts, and through us, He shines His love into the world.
Treasure in Fragile Jars
Paul gives a beautiful picture here:
“We have this treasure in jars of clay…”
We are like fragile jars—weak, imperfect, and breakable. But inside of us is a treasure: the power and presence of God.
Paul says they were:
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Pressed, but not crushed
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Confused, but not without hope
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Chased, but not abandoned
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Knocked down, but not destroyed
Even in suffering, God’s life is revealed through them.
Simple takeaway:
We may feel weak, but God’s power works through our weakness.
We Believe, So We Speak
Paul reminds the readers that they keep sharing about Jesus because they believe it deeply. And they know that God, who raised Jesus from the dead, will raise them too and bring them into His presence.
All their work and suffering is so more people can experience God’s grace and give thanks.
Simple takeaway:
We share the message of Jesus because we believe it gives life—and it’s worth it.
Looking at the Unseen
Paul finishes with powerful encouragement:
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“We do not lose heart.”
Even if our bodies are getting tired or worn out, our spirits are being renewed every day. -
Our troubles now are light and temporary, even if they feel heavy.
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God is preparing for us a glory that will last forever—something far greater than we can imagine.
So we don’t focus on what we can see (our problems, pain, or struggles). We focus on what we can’t see yet—God’s eternal promises.
Simple takeaway:
Keep your eyes on what matters forever. The pain won’t last—but God’s glory will.
Final Thoughts
2 Corinthians 4 reminds us that:
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Life can be hard, but we’re not alone.
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We may feel weak, but God’s light shines through us.
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We may suffer, but it’s not the end of the story.
God is doing something beautiful in us, even when we can’t see it yet.
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.