Side by side
2 Corinthians 4
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: We Do Not Lose HeartVerses 1 to 6
"Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart" (4:1).
Paul tells the truth openly. He doesn't twist God's word.
Some people can't see the good news. The devil has blinded them.
"For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (4:5).
At creation God said, "Let light shine out of darkness." Now he "made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (4:6).
The God who made light at creation shines in our hearts.
1Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Section 2: Treasure in Jars of ClayVerses 7 to 12
"Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us" (4:7).
Clay jars were cheap and easy to break. The treasure is the good news of Jesus. We are the jars.
"We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (4:8-9).
Perplexed means confused. Forsaken means abandoned.
Paul shares in Jesus's suffering, so that Jesus's life can show in him.
7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Section 3: We Believe, So We SpeakVerses 13 to 15
"I believed, therefore I have spoken," Paul quotes from the Psalms (4:13).
He keeps speaking because he knows the God who raised Jesus will raise us too.
All of it is so that grace reaches more and more people, and more people thank God.
13And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,” we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak, 14knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Section 4: Renewed Day by DayVerses 16 to 18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day" (4:16).
Our bodies get tired, sick, and old. But God makes us new inside, every day.
"For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison" (4:17).
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (4:18).
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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