Some thoughts for Today, Christian Ministry

2 Corinthians 4

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,(A) we do not give up.(B) 2 Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking(C) in deceit or distorting God’s message,(D) but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth.(E) 3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age(F) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,[a](G) who is the image of God.(H) 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,(I) and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”(J) has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge(K) of God’s glory(L) in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power(M) may be from God and not from us. 8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus(N) in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always given over to death(O) because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,(P)[b] we also believe, and therefore speak. 14 We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus(Q) and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving(R) to increase to God’s glory.

16 Therefore we do not give up.(S) Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person(T) is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction[c](U) is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.(V) 18 So we do not focus on what is seen,(W) but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Footnotes:

2 Corinthians 4:4 Or the gospel of the glorious Christ, or the glorious gospel of Christ

2 Corinthians 4:13 Ps 116:10 LXX

2 Corinthians 4:17 See note at 2Co 1:4.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

Setting Forth the Truth Plainly (4:1-6)

There is a constant temptation in the ministry to preach what people want to hear rather than what they need to hear. Sermons that confront a congregation with their spiritual shortcomings do not usually result in a pat on the back. Instead, they quite often yield criticism and hostility. David Wells argues that the pastoral task of brokering the truth of God to God's people has, for this very reason, largely fallen by the wayside in evangelicalism today (1993:1-14). To preach in a way that serves Christ and not people's egos takes courage. But it is easy to become disheartened when people turn a deaf ear to preaching that tells it like it is.

Paul repeatedly had to deal with discouragement in his ministry. There were plenty of preachers whose motives were less than pious and who would do whatever they had to to gain a following (v. 2). There were also churches who were readily seduced by flattering speech and winsome ways. It would have been all too easy for someone who remained faithful in preaching Christ and not themselves (v. 5) to grow weary of the downside of human nature (v. 1).

The Bible Panorama

2 Corinthians 4

V 1: ENCOURAGED God’s mercy and commissioning for service encourage Paul not to lose heart. 

V 2–6: ENLIGHTENED Unlike unbelievers, Christians renounce the hidden and dark paths of shame because gospel light has shined in their hearts to give them a personal knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. Accordingly, they preach the Lordship of Jesus Christ to blind and lost sinners. 

V 7–12: ENABLED Despite crushing pressures from every side and persecution, Paul’s willingness to die to self and to live for Christ means that God’s resurrection life is at work in Paul to the glory of God. All Christians know the same truth when they trust the risen Christ

. V 13–15: EMBOLDENED The Christian knows that Jesus is risen from the dead and that he, too, will be raised one day to be present with his risen Lord. This encourages his faith and emboldens him to speak for Christ.

 V 16–18: ENERGISED Despite the temptation to be discouraged within, and the physical weakness of their bodies, God’s servants know God’s daily renewal and are motivated by the prospect of glory to come. They do not lose heart. Their current trials are light in comparison with the weight of that glory that will be theirs.

The Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.