2 Corinthians 4
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 55 – AD 56 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
18 verses · 419 words · ~2 min read · ~3 min listen
The Light of the Gospel
1Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every manʼs 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 they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesusʼ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Treasure in Jars of Clay
7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; 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 consigned to death for Jesusʼ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,” we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak, 14knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow, to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Footnotes (5)
- a v1 Literally Therefore, having this ministry, as we have received mercy,
- b v6 Genesis 1:3
- c v6 SBL, NE, and WH in the face of Christ
- d v13 Psalm 116:10(see also LXX)
- e v14 SBL who raised Jesus
Study notes on this chapter · 2
Let there be light, and the new creation
Paul compares God's first command ('Let light shine out of darkness') to the light that shines in believers' hearts in the face of Christ. John's gospel opens with the words 'In the beginning', echoing Genesis 1 and describing the Word as the agent of creation and the light that shines in darkness.
When: Genesis; 2 Corinthians, c. AD 55–56; John, c. AD 80–95.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
Humanity in God's image, and Christ the image of God
Genesis says God made humankind in his own image. The New Testament calls Christ the image of the invisible God, and says believers are being renewed after the image of their Creator, as if what Adam was meant to be is seen fully in Christ.
When: Genesis; Colossians, c. AD 60–62; 2 Corinthians, c. AD 55–56.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.