2 Corinthians 4
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intro- recap chapter 3
there are some complicated things that Paul writes that sometimes are hard to understand.
16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Therefore- is there for a reason. It is connecting what took place in chapter 3. Paul mentions “this ministry” the ministry that Paul is referring to is the ministry of the Spirit.
This is the ministry that has much more glory than that of the old law that Paul referred to as the ministry of death.
2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary h. The Conduct of Paul’s Ministry (4:1–6)
or to tamper with God’s word. The verb translated to tamper with (doloō) is found only here in the New Testament. Its use in the papyri in relation to the dilution of wine suggests that Paul had in mind the corruption of the word
The Greek word that is used here for “tamper”- (δολόω) Is only used here in the New testament.
However it is a very common word used in papyri writings around this same time and every time that word was used, it was in reference to diluting wine. Paul seems to be talking about people who would dilute their wine (quite literally watering it down) and selling for profit, that he refused to do the same with God’s word.
The fact that they say they refused to do so, is evidence enough that at times they were tempted to do so.
Paul writes that he would commend himself to everyone’s conscience. meaning he invites the mall to openly look at him, examine him and if they did so, they would find him to be a man of integrity
He ends that sentence with the words “in the sight of God” - reminding them all his reason for integrity. Because God is watching. It calls to mind his words in
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
It is interesting that Paul immediately moves from talking about his openness to making a statement about what he had said possibly being veiled.
it seems as though Paul is connecting this statement with the statements he made in chapter 3 regarding the veil of Moses. That the jews when reading from Moses still read with a veil, because only through Christ is it taken away. Basically, saying, that there isn’t a problem with his message, the problem is in the minds of men who are rejecting the message.
I do want to notice why he says they reject it… The god of this world has blinded them. far too often I think we are quick to give man credit that belongs to God, and I believe we are just as guilty of giving man blame that belongs to Satan. Satan is, and always has been an active force working against the children of God. This does not release those attacked by satan of responsibility (we are taught how to combat him)- but so often we ask ourselves when we hear of something horrible, “why would anyone do that?” the short answer is because of Satan.
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
V. 5 Paul continues to make a claim that to many was controversial. Jesus Christ is Lord. He has been writing about the veil and the blindness that causes many to not see clearly.
“For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness”- Paul is connecting the dots, the one who spoke light into existence “creation” - has shone in our hearts (inner being) with the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus. where do you see God’s glory? when you look at Jesus.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Paul makes a profound statement here that you no doubt, have heard and studied before, but it bears repeating.
He contrasts treasure and jars of clay, or earthen vessels.
Paul is referring to this message that He gets to preach as treasure. while referring to themselves as jars of clay.
A lot of the inexpensive dishes that they had were made from clay, when they broke, they couldn’t be repaired, had to be discarded. The vessel themselves had no value, but it was what was inside them that mattered. (no fine china)
Paul was making clear his view of himself and his role in this ministry. His value was very minimal, but the knowledge of Christ that he was shining forth was what held all value.
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Paul makes several statements of what has happened but the victory to be seen through the trials.
V.10- Always carrying in the body, the death of Jesus-
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
Essentially Paul is still dealing with the criticism that he has faced regarding his suffering. He is detailing for the corinthians that though he has suffered much, it has a purpose. He says he’s carrying in the body the death of Jesus… he was abused so often his body was simply broken.
V.11- For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh- essentially Paul is drawing a parallel. He had not been actually put to death and brought back to life, but he so often had faced death, and was still standing, so much so it was obvious he only made it this far because of Jesus. Just as he wrote previously
9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Paul is telling of all the bad that has happened to him. But it happened in order for them to have life. He again calls to their mind that he is suffering because he preached to them a saving message.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,
Paul is quoting the psalmist in 116:10 where the psalmist in the midst of great conflict said that he believed so he spoke. Paul is making the same claim, even though there has been much pain, he continued speaking because he believed.
Think for a moment, one of the most overlooked proofs that we have as christians that Jesus actually rose from the grave is how his disciples lived. men do not die for things they do not believe.
14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
What is it that Paul believed? he knew that the one who raised Jesus will also raise them with Jesus, and the Christians.
Why was paul being persecuted? “all for their sake”
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
outer self wasting away. inner self being renewed
V. 17- How does Paul describe being near death numerous times and bearing the marks of Jesus’s death in his own body? Light, momentary
I’m not sure how many of us would describe our troubles in this way.
Paul said that his affliction was preparing for them an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison… there are no words to describe the glory to be had. Paul struggled, preachers today struggle to illustrate the greatness that the faithful with experience in the end, simply because you cannot quantify it. it is beyond the smartest minds ability to comprehend what is waiting.
V.18- eyes need to be fixed on the right things. it’s an interesting thought that we need to use our eyes to see things than can’t be seen. obviously Paul is speaking spiritually, but Paul makes a powerful statement regarding all that can be seen… it is passing away. Nothing, Nothing that your eyes have ever beheld, has eternity behind it.