Bible Study 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

You will remember our last time together as we studied 2 Cor. 3:7-18 that we compared the two glories described in that section. You will remember that as Moses communed with the Lord during the period of the writing of the ten commandments that when he came down from the mountain he was veiled. He gave off a radiance from the time of his presence with the Lord. Interestingly though, Moses was in the period of living under the law and as time passed as he was away, his radiance diminished. When Moses left the Lord to come around sinful man and under the law, like all of us do, Moses sinned. He fell short of the glory of God

We live in the period under grace, Jesus’ redeemed us from our sins and we live under that glory, an unfading glory, not because of what we’ve done, but because of the righteousness and holiness that He brings to our lives. He covered our sins with His great mercy. Amen?

In my NKJV, the title for the section we study tonight is “The Light of Christ’s Gospel.”

2 Corinthians 4:1–6 NKJV

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, 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. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1. God’s Mercy is our Motivation

Paul stated “therefore” due to this glory that has been bestowed on us in Christ and because we have been saved, we are saved to serve.

“Therefore, since we have this ministry...”

Acts 9:15–16 “15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.””

There are many ways you could address discussion’s about ministry and specifically Paul’s ministry.

We could discuss being comfortable in your skin or to stay in your square. Meaning-it is important to understand what our calling is. We are not to get into a comparison and contrast or become jealous of another’s ministry.

1 Corinthians 12:1–6 “1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”

Paul understood that He was saved, not just for salvation sake, but was saved to serve the Lord.

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 1248. διακονία

1248. διακονία

I do not want to belabor that issue, we all have a role, a calling, and we all are gifted in a certain area. The area I want us to focus is understanding where Paul found success in his ministry. What stands out in this verse that kept Paul anchored?

Three words that come to mind as we think about Paul understanding this mercy that God bestowed on Him.

Point #1 (v.1) – God’s Mercy is Our Motivation in Ministry

Passion – remembering God’s mercy in his past.

Pride checked – humility rooted in grace.

Patience – not losing heart with people or himself.

Paul as a Former Persecutor

Acts 8:1–3 – Paul (then Saul) ravaged the church, entering house to house, dragging believers off to prison.

Acts 9:1–6 – On the road to Damascus, Saul was “still breathing threats and murder against the disciples” when Jesus confronted him.

Acts 22:3–5 – Paul recounts before the people that he persecuted Christians “to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women.”

Acts 26:9–11 – Paul testifies to Agrippa that he opposed the name of Jesus, casting votes to put Christians to death, punishing them in synagogues, and trying to force them to blaspheme.

Paul’s Honest Confession of His Past

1 Corinthians 15:9–10 – “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…”

Galatians 1:13–15 – Paul reminds them of his “former life in Judaism” and how he “violently persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it,” but God called him by grace.

Philippians 3:4–7 – Paul lists his religious credentials, but then counts them as loss for the sake of Christ.

3. Paul and the Language of Mercy

1 Timothy 1:12–16 – Perhaps the clearest passage: Paul says he was “a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy… Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” He uses his story as a pattern to display God’s perfect patience.

2 Corinthians 4:1 (your text tonight) – “Having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” Paul saw ministry itself as mercy.

Putting It Together for Your Study

His Past – He admits it plainly (Acts, Galatians, 1 Cor 15).

His Position – He sees himself as least/unworthy, yet called by grace.

His Proclamation – He uses his past to highlight God’s patience and mercy (1 Tim 1).

His Perseverance – Mercy motivates him not to lose heart (2 Cor 4:1).

This way, Paul’s testimony isn’t a detour from the gospel—it is part of the gospel he preaches: “If God can save me, He can save anyone.”

Point #2 (v.2) – God’s Truth is Our Manner in Ministry

Paul’s mercy-shaped ministry showed itself not only in motivation but in method.

Healed “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame”

When Paul was gloriously saved, He was not noosed or limited by his past. He did not allow that to handicap his ministry. Paul didn’t let his old life as a persecutor haunt or hinder him. Instead, mercy brought healing, giving him confidence to serve God without chains of guilt.

Paul understood mercy-so many people do not. Paul understood that God forgave him and He learned to forgive himself.

Philippians 3:13–14 “13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

The New King James Version Chapter 6

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Many Christians struggle with shame over past sins, but God’s mercy enables us to serve from freedom, not fear.

2. Honest – “we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways”

Paul wasn’t shady, manipulative, or deceptive.

Application: Ministry should not be about gimmicks, image-building, or self-promotion, but simple integrity.

3. Humble – “we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word”

Paul didn’t twist Scripture to fit himself or his audience.

He shared God’s Word as it is, not as people wanted it.

-It’s never total at ease teaching or preaching when we discuss money and helping people understand that their money is not their money, its God’s money and He has simply trusted you with it.

It’s not easy to explain the role of husband and wife and the concept of submission.

It’s not easy when we know that women have been instrumental in the life of Southern Baptists, the WMU, you note that every financial campaign tagged in Southern Baptist life is tagged by a woman-Myers-Mallory, Annie Armstrong, Lottie Moon. Where would VBS, children’s and youth ministry be without women, administration in the church and the list goes on. But, there is no argument with 1 Timothy 3:1–2 “1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;”

This is new testament teaching. I must stand on this text and teach it with as much grace as possible, but the Scripture is what the Scripture is.

Application: Our role is not to edit God’s Word but to explain and apply it.

4. Holy (or “Honorable”) – “by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God”

His ministry was transparent and accountable before God.

2 Co 5:11 | Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

He spoke openly, sincerely, trusting God to validate him.

Application: We live and minister under the gaze of God — not for applause, but for approval from Him.

Imagine a judge sitting on the bench. When he renders a verdict, he knows full well that half the courtroom will leave upset — one side will think he was too harsh, the other side will think he was too lenient. But at the end of the day, the judge doesn’t answer to the gallery. He is accountable to the law and to his own conscience in how he applies it.

That’s exactly how Paul saw ministry. He knew some would applaud, others would oppose, and some would accuse him of all sorts of motives. But Paul didn’t bend the message to win popularity points. His calling was to teach God’s Word in its unaltered form, under the eye of God Himself. That’s why he says he ministered “in the sight of God” (v.2).

Like Paul, we minister in a culture where some will like the truth and others will despise it. Our role isn’t to edit or dilute the gospel, but to deliver it faithfully. At the end of the day, we don’t give an account to public opinion — we give an account to the Judge who sits on the throne.

Point #3 – God’s Light is Our Message (vv.3–6)

Paul reminds us that ministry is not about ourselves — it’s about shining the light of Christ into a dark and blinded world.

The Blindness of the Lost (vv.3–4)

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 “3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

“The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers…”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

2 Corinthians 2:15 “15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

Some will not see, not because the gospel is weak, but because the enemy works to keep them in the dark.

Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Illustration idea: Beach-Napping on the beach. You can use a towel or the bream of my hat to block the sun. The Sun is not any lesser. There are barriers blocking the beams of light.

Application: We don’t lose heart when people reject the gospel; rejection is often spiritual blindness, not failure of the message.

The Brightness of the Lord (vv.5–6)

2 Corinthians 4:5–6 “5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord…”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

It is foolishness, until its not foolishness...

Let me explain:

2 Corinthians 2:12 “12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,”

Paul preached Christ, not himself — the treasure wasn’t the messenger, but the message.

“God… has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

The same God who said “Let there be light” now shines His light into dark hearts.

Application: Our role is to hold the light high, not hide it, distort it, or make it about us.

Matthew 5:14–16 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Mark 4:21 “21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?”

Putting It Together

Point #1 (v.1): God’s Mercy is Our Motivation → why we serve.

Point #2 (v.2): God’s Truth is Our Manner → how we serve.

Point #3 (vv.3–6): God’s Light is Our Message → what we share.