2 Corinthians 4
4
Proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord
1 Because of this, since we#*Here “since” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have”) which is understood as causal have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart, 2but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience before God. 3But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus#Some manuscripts have “Jesus Christ” as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. 6For God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,”#An allusion to Gen 1:3 is the one who has shined in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.#Some manuscripts have “in the face of Jesus Christ”
Treasure in Earthenware Jars
7But we have this treasure in earthenware jars, in order that the extraordinary degree of the power may be from God and not from us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying around the death of Jesus in our body, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. 13But because we#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have”) which is understood as causal have the same spirit of faith in accordance with what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,”#A quotation from Ps 116:10 we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14because we#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal know that the one who raised Jesus#Some manuscripts have “the Lord Jesus” will also raise us together with Jesus and present us together with you. 15For all these things are for your sake#Literally “for the sake of you”, in order that the grace that is increasing through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart, but even if our outer person is being destroyed, yet our inner person is being renewed day after day. 17For our momentary light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure and proportion#Literally “according to an extraordinary degree to an extraordinary degree”, 18because#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“looking at”) we are not looking at what is seen, but what is not seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.
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2 Corinthians 4
4
Present Weakness and Resurrection Life
1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”#4:6 Gen. 1:3 made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”#4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint) Since we have that same spirit of#4:13 Or Spirit-given faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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