2 Corinthians 4

Paul affirms his ministry's integrity, stating he and his companions do not faint, but manifest truth without deceit. He explains that if the gospel is hidden, it is to those blinded by the "god of this world," as they preach Christ, not themselves. Despite enduring severe afflictions as "earthen vessels" containing divine power, they are not destroyed, for their suffering serves to manifest Christ's life and prepares them for an eternal weight of glory by focusing on unseen realities.

Paul begins by asserting the integrity of his ministry, having received mercy and renounced hidden dishonesty, instead manifesting truth to every conscience. He clarifies that the gospel is only hidden to the lost, whose minds are blinded by "the god of this world," preventing them from seeing Christ's glorious light. The apostles preach Christ Jesus as Lord, not themselves, for God's light has shone in their hearts, revealing His glory. They carry this divine "treasure in earthen vessels," ensuring God receives the glory for the power displayed. Despite constant troubles, perplexity, persecution, and being cast down, they are not destroyed, continually bearing Christ's dying so His life may be manifest in their mortal bodies. This enduring faith, rooted in the belief of resurrection, motivates their proclamation, knowing their light afflictions are working an eternal weight of glory as they fix their gaze on the unseen.

In 2 Corinthians 4, the Apostle Paul articulates the nature and integrity of his ministry, emphasizing that he and his fellow ministers do not lose heart, having received mercy. They have renounced all hidden acts of dishonesty and craftiness, never handling the word of God deceitfully, but rather openly manifest the truth, commending themselves to every man's conscience in God's sight. Paul clarifies that if their gospel remains veiled, it is only to those who are perishing, whose minds have been blinded by "the god of this world," preventing them from seeing the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. He insists that their preaching is not about themselves, but about Christ Jesus as Lord, with themselves serving others for Jesus' sake. This is because God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has illuminated their hearts with the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Paul then introduces the profound paradox of having this divine "treasure in earthen vessels," signifying that the extraordinary power displayed in their ministry originates from God, not from their own human strength or ability. He vividly describes their constant state of affliction: troubled on every side yet not distressed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed. This continuous experience of bearing about the dying of the Lord Jesus in their bodies serves a crucial purpose: that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in their mortal flesh. They are continually delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, so His life may be revealed through them. Possessing the same spirit of faith, they speak because they believe, confident that the God who raised Jesus will also raise them and present them with the Corinthian believers. Paul concludes by stating that all these experiences are for the believers' sake, so that abundant grace may redound to God's glory through many thanksgivings. Therefore, they do not faint, understanding that though their outward man perishes, their inward man is renewed daily, and their light, momentary afflictions are working for them an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, as they fix their gaze not on the temporal things which are seen, but on the eternal things which are not seen.