New Testament
2 Corinthians 4
Overview
Sustained by the mercy of this new-covenant ministry, Paul renounces shameful, underhanded ways and refuses to tamper with God's word, commending himself by open statement of the truth (4:1-2). If his gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those perishing, whose minds "the god of this world" has blinded so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (4:3-4). Paul preaches not himself but Jesus Christ as Lord, for the God who said "Let light shine out of darkness" has shone in hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ (4:5-6). But this treasure is carried in "jars of clay," so that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us (4:7). There follows a great catalog of paradox: afflicted but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, struck down but not destroyed—always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that His life may also be manifested (4:8-12). Anchored in the faith that the God who raised Jesus will raise believers too, Paul concludes that though the outer self is wasting away, the inner self is being renewed daily, for this "light momentary affliction" is preparing an eternal weight of glory, as we look not to the seen but to the unseen (4:13-18).
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18While we look not 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.