Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the

 

CORINTHIANS

 

Reference Compiled by WD Kemner September 2024

 

 

2 Corinthians Chapter 4

 

 

 

Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-5

Topics: Ministry  

 

1 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.

 

 

 

Paul’s model for ministry:

We have this ministry, and regardless of what is thrown at us, we are not giving up.

We will not resort to doing anything deceitful. We will only do what God has divinely told us.

 

 

Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:6

Topics: Genesis Creation; God’s Glory 

 

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.

 

 

 

The same God that created light from nothing (Genesis 1) has now put light into the heart of man. This light comes with all the knowledge of God’s glory.

 

 

Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:7

Topics: frail Human Body  

 

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

 

 

 

This is being stored in earthen vessels.  Earthen Vessels = human frail bodies.  This therefore cannot benefit us in showing our glory, because our bodies are disposable and can turn to dust…but God does not.

 

 

Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

Topics: Trials and Hardship  

 

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.

 

 

 

No matter what is used to attack this earthly body, remembrance of the death of Jesus and what His body took on, strengthens us.

 

 

Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:13-14

Topics: Resurrection;  

 

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.

 

 

Verse 13: quoting Psalm 116:10

 

“Present us with you” – can only ever happen at one point after the resurrection.  Jesus will present us to the Father.

 

 

Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:15-18

Topics: Spirit 

 

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.