2 Corinthians 4

New Covenant Ministry

1Now, it’s because of God’s mercy # 4:1 Or “God has mercied us.” The Aramaic can be translated “God’s mercy rests on us.” that we have been entrusted with the privilege of this new covenant ministry. And we will not quit or faint with weariness. 2We reject every shameful cover-up and refuse to resort to cunning trickery or distorting the Word of God. # 4:2 Or “handle the word of God dishonestly.” Instead, we open up our souls to you # 4:2 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “we commend ourselves.” by presenting the truth to everyone’s conscience in the sight and presence of God. 3Even if our gospel message is veiled, it is only veiled to those who are perishing, 4for their minds have been blinded by the god of this age, # 4:4 Satan is called the god of this age. He uses trickery, deceit, accusation, and slander to blind people’s hearts. See John 8:44; 12:31; 14:30; Eph. 2:2. leaving them in unbelief. Their blindness keeps them from seeing the dayspring light # 4:4 The Aramaic can be translated “the flame of the good news.” of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the divine image of God.

5We don’t preach ourselves, but rather the lordship of Jesus Christ, for we are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said,

“Let brilliant light shine out of darkness,” # 4:6 Paul helps us to understand that “light” is both literal and a metaphor for spiritual revelation, and shows that the creation narrative provides us with an allegory pointing to the experience of new birth in Christ. See Gen. 1:3; Isa. 9:2.

is the one who has cascaded his light into us—the brilliant dawning light of the glorious knowledge of God as we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ. # 4:6 Or “in the face-to-face presence of Christ.”

Treasure in Clay Jars

7We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours. # 4:7 This verse begins a long and complicated Greek sentence that ends with v. 10. Paul uses figurative language to say that we are common clay jars (created from dust/clay) yet we possess the brilliant light of God’s glory, Jesus Christ, and carry him as treasure in our being. The outward vessel is not as important as the glorious treasure within. The metaphors here may allude to Gideon’s clay pots that had burning torches inside (Judg. 7:16). 8Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. # 4:8 Or “perplexed but not thoroughly perplexed.” The Aramaic can be translated “We are corrected but not condemned.” 9We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. 10We continually share in the death of Jesus in our own bodies # 4:10 Or “carry about in the body the death of Jesus.” so that the resurrection life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. 11We consider living to mean that we are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. 12So, then, death is at work in us but it releases life in you.

13We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says,

“First I believed, then I spoke in faith.” # 4:13 See Ps. 116:10.

So we also first believe then speak in faith. 14We do this because we are convinced that he who raised Jesus will raise us up with him, and together we will all be brought into his presence. 15Yes, all things work for your enrichment # 4:15 See Rom. 8:28. so that more of God’s marvelous grace will spread to more and more people, resulting in an even greater increase of praise # 4:15 Or “to cause thanksgiving to superabound.” to God, bringing him even more glory!

16So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day. 17We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, 18because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.

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2 Corinthians 4: TPT

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2 Corinthians 4

Paul’s Apostolic Ministry

1Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. 2But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; 4among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.

7But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. 8We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. 11For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. 12So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you.

13Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” We also believe, therefore we also speak, 14knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us [along] with you in His presence. 15For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God.

16Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. 17For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! 18So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.

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