Bible Study 2 Corinthians 4: 1-18

 

A Commentary of the Book of 2 Corinthians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: King James Version

Bible Study 2 Corinthians 4: 1-18

Text:

4 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. 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. 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.

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

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;”

Paul maintains his hope, finding the ministry of the new covenant, powered by the Holy Spirit, to be supremely excellent and effective.

Verse 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.”

Our salvation is attained through the grace of God by means of faith in Christ Jesus. Subsequent to our salvation, however, the gospel must be realized in our lives. We have disavowed the clandestine aspects of dishonesty. Conversion to Christ and reliance upon Him transcends a mere intellectual affirmation of Christ's crucifixion. It entails placing our full trust in Him and undergoing His regeneration. When Christ has redeemed us, we are expected to serve as an embodiment of the gospel. In other words, the individual who proclaims the gospel should maintain a life of holiness. Paul asserts that we have "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty."

Verse 3: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”

The imagery of the veil persists from 2 Corinthians 3:14–16. Individuals who are currently perishing (those who do not believe in Christ) are unable to perceive the truth.

Verse 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.”

Satan, referred to as the "god of this world," exerts significant influence over this current, evil age, which will persist until Christ's return initiates the age to come. This "blinding" effect prevents unbelievers from fully grasping or appreciating the message of the gospel, unless God's grace is received through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 5: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

We proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord. Rest assured, my friend, we are inadequate in our own strength when we present the Word of God. We face an adversary who actively obscures the understanding of individuals. As preachers, we can only speak to the mind, it takes the Holy Spirit to take our words and apply to the sinner’s heart to be effective.

Verse 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 do not preach ourselves because spiritual life comes solely from God's sovereign act of regeneration, i.e. the giving of a new heart. Just as God's original creative word brought light out of darkness, His creative power is essential for people to believe the gospel message. It is God who grants spiritual understanding and life, raising the spiritually dead to spiritually alive.

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

The power of the Holy Spirit, which accompanies the gospel ministry and the new covenant, is the "treasure" God entrusts to us. This glory stands in stark contrast to the "earthen vessels"—our fragile human nature and physical bodies. Paul emphasizes that God deliberately chooses to work through those who appear weak or unremarkable by the world's standards. This design ensures that all glory belongs to God, not to Paul or any human agent.

Verse 8: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;”

Even the prominent evangelist and theologian Paul encountered significant moments of discouragement.

Verse 9: “persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”

Though "persecuted" and pursued by adversaries, he was "not forsaken"—his enemies never overtook him. Even from prison, he was able to write the book of Philippians. He was "cast down, but not destroyed." This is a powerful statement—the enemy struck him down, yet failed to destroy or kill him.

Verse 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.”

Paul's experiences as an apostle, including his suffering and apparent failures, mirror the pattern of Christ's death and resurrection. He recognizes that his own weakness demonstrates that he has no inherent strength to achieve anything of lasting spiritual value. Instead, his lack of personal ability continually reveals the power of Jesus, showing that his sufferings are an intentional imitation of Christ's own.

Verse 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.”

The phrase "Delivered unto death" describes the act of handing a prisoner over to the executioner. It was used to describe Christ's delivery to those who crucified Him, and in this context, it refers to the constant risk of physical death faced by those who represented Christ. "Our mortal flesh" is another term for Paul's humanity—his physical body.

Verse 12: “So then death worketh in us, but life in you.”

Paul's ministry, despite the great hardship he endures—mirroring Jesus's own suffering—paradoxically results in spiritual vitality and resurrection power for others. This outcome is a mystery to the secular world. Those who benefit from the ministry may appear to prosper materially more than the minister himself, precisely because the minister is enduring suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Verse 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;”

Paul cites the Septuagint's (the Greek Old Testament translation) rendering of Psalm 116:10 to illustrate that faith finds its voice in declarations of certainty regarding God's promises.

Verse 14: “knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.”

Paul viewed death not as a final conclusion, but as a transitional experience. In the subsequent chapter, he will address the solace found in the ministry of martyrdom for Christ, emphasizing the comfort of sacrificing one's life for Jesus. His current statement highlights his connection to a living Christ, a relationship that has led him to be "dead to the things of the world."

Verse 15: “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

“To the glory of God” is the ultimate purpose of God's responses to prayer and the gift of salvation. His responses are to give thanksgiving and glory directed back to Him.

Verse 16: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

Paul adamantly refused to give up, or "lose heart," despite the constant attacks he faced. The Greek word translated as "faint not" is a powerful term describing a cowardly act of surrender. For Paul, his commitment to ministering the New Covenant was too deep to let difficulties deter him. The phrase “Our outward man perish” highlights the central distinction being made: not just between the body and the spirit, but between the old, fallen human nature and the new, spiritually renewed self.

Verse 17: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

The Greek term for "light" signifies "a weightless trifle," while "affliction" denotes intense pressure. Considering a human perspective, Paul's personal account enumerates a seemingly intolerable catalog of sufferings and persecutions he endured throughout his lifetime; nevertheless, he regarded them as inconsequential and transient. The Greek word for "weight" refers to a substantial mass. For Paul, the anticipated future glory he would attain with the Lord substantially exceeded any tribulation he encountered in this world. 

Verse 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.” 

The most enduring and significant reality is the unseen world, a frequent idea throughout this book. In contrast, the visible world is transient and temporary.I heard it said years ago: “It is foolish to give up the things you can’t lose for those things you cannot keep.”