2Corinthians 4 - Outline of 2Corinthians (MENU page)

II. The Characteristics of Paul's Ministry. 1:8- 7:16
  A. Comforted and Comforting. 1:8- 2:14
  B. Triumphant. 2:14-17
  C. Accredited. 3:1-5
  D. Spiritual & Glorious - Not Legal. 3:6-18
  E. Honest. 4:1-7
1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, {2Cor 3:5-6,12}
as we have received mercy, we faint not {are not fainthearted};
2 But have renounced the hidden {ie., concealed} things of dishonesty,
not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation {ie., open proclamation} of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
  Having been entrusted with the New Covenant message, the true servants of Christ boldly declare the Gospel, in its simplicity (without compromise, alteration, embellishment, or enticement) and with such faithfulness and sincerity that their hearers perceive, in their hearts, that it is God's truth.
  cp. 2Cor 1:12; 2:17; 1The 2:3-5
3 But if our gospel be hid {ie., covered, veiled},
it is hid {covered, veiled} to them that are lost: {cp. 2Cor 3:14}
4 In whom the god of this world {ie., of this age}
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, {cp. 2Cor 3:9}
who is the image of God {cp. Heb 1:1-3}, should shine unto them.
  The veil, which hinders reception of the light of the Gospel, affects all people and nations (not only the people of Israel, cp. Joh 3:19). Yet, as the Gospel is faithfully proclaimed, the Light will penetrate the darkness of some hearts. When Christ returns to reign in Jerusalem (the mountain where He was crucified), the veil will be removed from all nations (Isa 25:7-9). Until then, Christ's servants unashamedly present Him, by life and word, to all who will hear.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus {as} the Lord;
and ourselves {as} your servants for Jesus' sake.
  {cp. 2Cor 1:24; Mat 20:25-28; 1Cor 9:19-23}
6 For {the} 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.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
  The same God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has Himself shined in our hearts...
    The Creator, who spoke the word: "Let there be light" (Gen 1:3,4), became the incarnate Word, to give Life and Light to sin darkened men. As many as receive Him are born of God, as new creatures, in His likeness. Joh 1:1-18
  ...to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
    During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ (the eternal Word in human flesh), radiated the glory of God, in the world (Joh 8:12; 9:5).
    Now ascended into heaven in victory over sin and death, He, by His Spirit, illuminates the hearts of we who believe His Word (2Pet 1:19; 1Pet 4:14), assures us of His unshakeable promises (Col 1:27), and makes His glory known to others through us (1Pet 2:9; Php 2:15,16; cp. Isa 60:2).
  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
  that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
    This treasure is the glory of God in the face {presence, person} of Jesus Christ (Col 2:3).
    Our Lord is spiritually present within our fragile bodies (here, likened to clay jars).
    Clay jars have no power of their own. Yet, clay jars, filled with the Glory of God, are full of power. When we (the jars) are broken, His Light breaks forth to accomplish God's purposes by His own surpassing power (cp. 1Cor 2:1-5; cp. Gideon's clay pitchers, Judg 7:12-21).
    The next section considers the Gospel ministry of battered earthen vessels.
II. The Characteristics of Paul's Ministry. 1:8- 7:16
  A. Comforted and Comforting. 1:8- 2:14
  B. Triumphant. 2:14-17
  C. Accredited. 3:1-5
  D. Spiritual & Glorious - Not Legal. 3:6-18
  E. Honest. 4:1-7
  F. Suffering but Sustained. 4:8- 6:10
  1. Exposed to death, revealing Life to others. 4:8-12
8. [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
[we are] perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken;
cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For 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.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
  [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed...
    Paul and his co-workers were enduring serious trouble and severe persecution. Their lives were uncertain and continually endangered. Yet, they were not overtaken by despair and depression, because the Lord was with them, and He comforted them (2Cor 1:3-5).
  Always bearing about in the body the dying {GK=nekrosis, the putting to death} of the Lord Jesus,
  that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
    They were frequently threatened by enemies who sought to kill them (2Cor 1:8-10), but always {ie., at all times} they willingly dedicated their bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord (Rom 12:1; Php 1:20,21; 3:10). They had already died to themselves, in order that Christ, living in them, might make Himself known through them (eg., Gal 2:20).
    As Christ 'gave' {yielded up} Himself (in death) for me (Gal 2:20), so I deliver {yield up} myself to death, to make Him known (v.11; Mat 16:24,25).
  So then death 'worketh' {is active, is operative} in us, but life in you.
    Death (the danger of physical death and the sacrificial death to self) was operative in the ministers of the Gospel, so that Life (spiritual, eternal) might be operative in the hearts of their hearers.
    v.15; Acts 20:24; Php 2:17; 1Joh 3:16
  F. Suffering but Sustained. 4:8- 6:10
    2. Believing God's promise of resurrection. 4:13-18
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written,
I believed, and therefore have I spoken; {Psa 116:10}
we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus
shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you.
15 For all things [are] for your sakes, that the abundant grace
might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
  I believed, and therefore have I spoken. (Psa 116:10)
    These words are from Psalm 116, which is one of several Messianic Psalms, in which we glimpse the inner exercises of our Savior's heart as He yielded up His life, so that we might live.
    In this Psalm, He anticipates the sorrows of His impending death in our behalf (Psa 116:3,4), He believes His Father has heard His prayer, and He speaks assured of His resurrection (Psa 116:8-10).
  We having the same spirit of faith... we also believe, and therefore speak;
  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus...
    The servants of Christ follow where their Lord has led, with the same assurance of heart and boldness of speech, even in the face of great affliction. eg., 2Cor 1:9; 3:12
  ...and shall present [us] with you. For all things [are] for your sakes (2Tim 2:10),
  that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
    The resurrection, anticipated by the ministers of the Gospel, applies also to those who believe their message. When the Lord returns for His own, all of the redeemed will stand, together, in His presence, with boundless joy. 2Cor 5:1; Jude 1:24; cp. Psa 116:17-19
16 For which cause {ie., Therefore,} we faint not; {cp. v.1}
but though our outward man perish,
yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day. {cp. Psa 73:26}
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;
18 While 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 {ie., for a season, temporary};
but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment...
    Paul and other ministers of the Gospel suffered severe afflictions (eg., 2Cor 11:23-27), which can only be called 'light' {ie., lightweight, easy, trifling} in comparison with:
    - an eternal weight of glory which surpasses all comparison.
    Psa 73:24; Mat 5:10-12; 1Cor 2:9
  - the sufferings of our Savior, who was 'greatly afflicted,'
      far beyond what we can ever know (Psa 116:10).
    While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen...
      Overwhelming and seemingly unending difficulties, of this present time, demand our attention.
      Yet, by faith, the ministers of the Gospel (like all true believers) look beyond what meets their eyes, to claim His sure and eternal promises (eg., Psa 116:10; 2Cor 5:7; Heb 11:1).
      [Note: For a closer look at our Lord's earthly 'walk by faith,' see the separate study of Psalm 116 in the Book Notes on the Psalms of the Messiah.]

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