2 Corinthians 4

Treasure in Clay Jars

1 # 1 Cor 7.25; 2 Cor 3.6 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2#2 Cor 2.17We have renounced the shameful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3#1 Cor 1.18; 2 Cor 2.12; 3.14And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4#Jn 1.18; 12.31; Col 1.15In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing clearly the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5#1 Cor 1.13, 23; 9.19For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’s sake. 6#Gen 1.3; 2 Pet 1.19For it is the God who said, “Light will 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 Christ.

7 # 1 Cor 2.5; 2 Cor 5.1 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, 9persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed, 10#Rom 8.17; Gal 6.17always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11For we who are living are always being handed over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12So death is at work in us but life in you.

13 # Ps 116.10 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and therefore we also speak, 14#1 Thess 4.14because we know that the one who raised Jesus#4.14 Other ancient authorities read Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us with you in his presence. 15Indeed, everything is for your sake, so that grace, when it has extended to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Living by Faith

16 # Rom 7.22; Col 3.10 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17#Rom 8.18; 1 Pet 1.6For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18#Rom 8.24; Heb 11.1because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

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