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
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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