2 Corinthians · chapter 4 of 13
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2 Corinthians 4 explains why Paul does not lose heart in ministry. He preaches Christ as Lord, whose light God made shine in hearts, and carries this treasure in jars of clay so that the power is God's. Though he suffers, he is not destroyed, and he looks to what is eternal: the light, momentary affliction is producing an eternal weight of glory.
After speaking of the glory of the new covenant, Paul shows that this ministry is carried out in a fragile life and amid suffering. This chapter is one of the New Testament's clearest expositions of how to live with hope in weakness, and answers those who judged Paul by his unimpressive appearance.
Paul says that, having this ministry by the mercy shown to him, he does not lose heart. He has renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways, refusing to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth he commends himself to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. If his gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this world has blinded to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
They do not proclaim themselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and themselves as servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Paul describes his life: afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. They always carry in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in their bodies. Death is at work in them, but life in the Corinthians.
With the same spirit of faith, they believe and so they speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise them also, and it is all for the Corinthians' sake, so that grace may overflow in thanksgiving. So they do not lose heart. Though the outer self is wasting away, the inner self is being renewed day by day. This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen, for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Paul says they do not proclaim themselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and themselves as servants for Jesus' sake. It is a measure for all ministry: pointing to Christ, not to oneself.
The God who commanded light to shine out of darkness has shone in our hearts to give the knowledge of his glory in the face of Christ. Faith is a new dawn within.
We have this treasure in jars of clay so that the surpassing power may be God's and not ours. The messenger's fragility makes it visible that the work is God's.
Though the body wastes away, the inner self is renewed day by day, and the light, passing affliction produces an eternal weight of glory. Paul teaches us to look at what is eternal without denying present pain.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Because he received this ministry by the mercy of God. — 2 Corinthians 4:1
Answer: Jesus Christ as Lord, presenting themselves as servants of the Corinthians for Jesus' sake. — 2 Corinthians 4:5
Answer: In jars of clay. — 2 Corinthians 4:7
Answer: So that the surpassing power may be God's and not ours. — 2 Corinthians 4:7
Answer: The death of Jesus, so that his life may also be manifested. — 2 Corinthians 4:10
Answer: An eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. — 2 Corinthians 4:17
2 Corinthians 4 helps us in moments when we want to give up. Paul does not deny weariness, pressure or pain, but affirms it is not the end. In a small group we can encourage those going through illness, grief or weariness of serving, reminding them that the body's wearing down does not stop the inner self from being renewed.
It also frees us from the pressure to be perfect. God chose to put his treasure in fragile jars, so our weakness is not an obstacle to his work. And looking at what is eternal, without escaping reality, gives perspective for enduring with hope.
2 Corinthians 4 ends by looking at what is unseen. In chapter 5 Paul continues that theme: the hope of a heavenly body, confidence before judgment and the ministry of reconciliation.
Christians understand it to refer to Satan, who blinds the minds of unbelievers. Paul mentions him to explain why some reject the gospel, but he does not present him as a power equal to God: the light of Christ overcomes that blindness.
Paul speaks of the sufferings, persecutions and risks he bears for the gospel, which unite him to Christ's cross. Its purpose is that Jesus' life also be seen in his body: God sustains him and works through him amid weakness.
The outer is the physical life that wears down with time, suffering and years. The inner is the spiritual life renewed by God each day. Paul does not despise the body, but shows that the believer's hope does not depend on it.