2 Corinthians
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2 Corinthians 4
2 Corinthians 4
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Commentary · verse 1
2but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
2But 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.
Commentary · verse 2
This verse continued to provide the context to the concluding verse of the previous chapter. Believers' unveiling is towards each other so that the manifestation of the truth occurs through each believer by the Holy Spirit and this is commended to every man's conscience, to every one we are unveiled towards! Fellowship with other believers ought to lead to the glory of God manifesting itself.
3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish:
3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Commentary · verse 3
If the Gospel was veiled (hidden), it was hidden to those who would perish (unbelievers). Paul continued the theme from the previous chapter: contrasting the previous dispensation with the current dispensation.
4in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.
4In 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.
Commentary · verse 4
The god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that the light of the Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, would shine on them (unbelievers). The work Satan has done has caused people not to think.
Doctrines on this passage
5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6For 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.
Commentary · verses 5-6
Believers do not preach themselves, they preach God. God shines His light through believers for others to see. This was a reference to Genesis 1:2-3.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Commentary · verses 7-8
We are not perfect, the Holy Spirit within us is perfect. Believers will face trouble and believers ought to handle it well. Not only not being distressed or perplexed but also rejoicing in trials and tribulations. This ought to remove our flesh and allow more of the Holy Spirit to come through us.
9pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.
9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Commentary · verses 9-10
Doctrine: Affliction comes so that the Holy Spirit within us can be apparent to all.
11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
11For 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.
12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Doctrine: We face afflictions for Jesus' sake. Again, this is not a popular Doctrine in the church today.
13But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;
13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Commentary · verse 13
Paul referenced part of Psalm 116:10. The entire verse was: "I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted:" Paul spoke the Gospel as an effect of him believing the Gospel, and was also afflicted because of believing the Gospel.
14knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.
14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
Commentary · verse 14
Paul had faith that God, who raised up Jesus, will raise up believers and will be present with believers. This was faith because Paul believed in something that had not happened yet.
15For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
16Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Commentary · verses 15-16
They did not faint because of the grace they received. Their inward man was growing stronger as afflictions came against their flesh which caused it to continue to decay so that more of the Holy Spirit could come through the believer.
17For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 18while 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.
17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18While 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.
Commentary · verses 17-18
Paul called all the physical afflictions referenced throughout this chapter as "light," and the spiritual result would be more exceedingly. Paul focused on the spiritual, on things that were not seen. This took faith: "believing in something you cannot see." - (Hebrews 11:1) Paul stated the physical things we see were temporary, while the spiritual things we cannot see were eternal.
Commentary · verse 18
Theme of Chapter 4: Believers ought to be unveiled towards other believers so that the glory of God is manifested, however, the world will afflict believers because of this manifestation. The physical afflictions we experience because we believe the Gospel are necessary for the Holy Spirit within us to be apparent to all, and will result in a more exceeding eternal spiritual existence.
Paul's ministry was preaching the Gospel to the lost, specifically to the Gentiles.