2 Cor 4

2 Corinthians 4:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

As we saw in Chapter 3 we have a ministry preach the gospel not just with our mouths but with our lives, in the power of Christ not our own power. God’s Mercy keeps us going and gives the strength to not fall.

in doing this, requires renouncing or calling out things that are not true. and we ourselves must not walk in deceit hiding the truth of Gods word. we must handle the word of God exactly as it is written not trying to manipulate people to join up with us. It is not our job to convince people to follow Christ, it is our job to lay all it all out on the table and let the Holy Spirit work through His word!

The Holy Spirit will convict the conscience of people as the truth is preached.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

all the false religions and false teachings are fighting to blind people from the truth of God’s word. There are many people trying to convince people to be “christian” by twisting God’s word as well. This does not create Christians, this creates false converts that do not truly know Christ or His teachings. when Believers do this, they become part of the problem, helping the false gods of this world blind people.

2 Corinthians 4:5–6 KJV 1900

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We are not here to preach ourselves or what we accomplished or what we think sounds good. we are here to be a light for Christ, So HIS light and HIS truth can shine in a world that is full of darkness and lies.

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

the earthen vessels other translations call clay pots, same thing. we are looking at an imagery of us people. made breakable and week, yet filled with the treasure of God and the power of God! I may be a breakable weak person but I have the power and strength of the almighty God inside me!

2 Corinthians 4:8–10 KJV 1900

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

When I read this verse, the first thing that comes to mind is the old 1988 Timex commercial that says “it takes a lickin and keeps on ticken”

We are joined with Christ both in Death and in Life! In weakness and in power!

2 Corinthians 4:11–12 KJV 1900

11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

to be made manifest simply means to be displayed! our pain and suffering caries the purpose of showing the strength of Jesus to endure to the end! Paul uses the example of the suffering of Him and Timothy (the authors of this letter) bringing life to those in Corinth.

This shows what the power of Christ can do through our suffering and should give us great hope in spite of difficult days.

2 Corinthians 4:13–15 KJV 1900

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

We all have the same spirit with the same power! if we believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior! Paul says “knowing” that the same God who raised Jesus will also raise us and take us to heaven and we will all be together with God forever!

All these things we endure are for the our own good and work together to bring greater thanksgiving and glory to God! our weakness will be seen by all so that everyone will know the only reason we can keep on going is because the power of Christ wills us to keep going!

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

This is where the rubber meats the road. This is where the true believers are seen a set apart from the non-believers. Yes, life is hard. Yes, God allows us to go through hard times. No, that should not be what we focus on! Our, light affliction only lasts a very short time, Then we spend eternity in heaven with God. Daily we must remind ourselves to think on the truth that God is in control and only allows things that will grow us and show others His power! People will not see God’s power if He only gives us things we can handle in our own strength!