The Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ

The Text

2 Corinthians 4 LEB

1 Because of this, since we have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience before God. 3 But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. 6 For God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” is the one who has shined in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthenware jars, in order that the extraordinary degree of the power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying around the death of Jesus in our body, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 But because we have the same spirit of faith in accordance with what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us together with Jesus and present us together with you. 15 For all these things are for your sake, in order that the grace that is increasing through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but even if our outer person is being destroyed, yet our inner person is being renewed day after day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure and proportion, 18 because we are not looking at what is seen, but what is not seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:1–6 ESV

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. 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. 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.

Only light can dispel darkness.

The analogy of light has a rich history in scripture.

The nature of light and it’s relative nature to God and His work is woven into the very tapestry of the Bible.

Light in Genesis

The very first action that God enacted on this universe is bestowing light.

God didn’t create the sun moon and stars until the 4th day.

Where did the light come from?

1 John 1:5 LEB

5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.

Part of the mystery of God’s purpose in creation is that He IS Light.

When God began His work of breathing the universe into being it says that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Day and Night were occuring before the sun and moon, and plants were created on the earth a full day before the sun and moon.

Clearly some stationary light was existing over the rotating earth in order to have day and night and plants surviving.

I believe that when God said “Let there be light” He simply was unveiling a part of His Nature.

God didn’t start being light at some point, God’s character and nature is eternal, set outside of time.

God revealed His light to a young creation.

Light in Isaiah