2 Corinthians 4
Treasure in jars of clay
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul tells the Corinthians that God, who said "Let light shine out of darkness," has made his light shine in our hearts. "We have this treasure in jars of clay," he says, so everyone can see the power is God's. He is hard pressed but not crushed, struck down but not destroyed, and though his outer self is wasting away, his inner self is being renewed day by day.
Where it is in the Bible: 2 Corinthians 4
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. We Do Not Lose Heart | 4:1-6 | God's light shines in our hearts |
| 2. Treasure in Jars of Clay | 4:7-12 | God's power shows through weakness |
| 3. We Believe, So We Speak | 4:13-15 | God will raise us too |
| 4. Renewed Day by Day | 4:16-18 | Fix your eyes on what is unseen |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth around AD 55. It's one of his most personal letters.
What was happening. Some people in Corinth doubted Paul. He wasn't impressive. He suffered a lot. Other teachers looked more powerful (10:10).
What this chapter is. Paul's answer: the power isn't his. It's God's. And it shines through weakness.
How to read it. Notice the "but not" lines in verses 8 and 9.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4We Do Not Lose Heart
"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.
Section 2 of 4Treasure in Jars of Clay
"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.
Section 3 of 4We Believe, So We Speak
"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.
Section 4 of 4Renewed Day by Day
"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).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "We do not lose heart" (4:1) | God's mercy keeps us going. |
| "Let light shine out of darkness" (4:6) | The God of creation shines in our hearts. |
| "Treasure in jars of clay" (4:7) | God's power shows best in ordinary, weak people. |
| "Hard pressed... but not crushed" (4:8) | Troubles are real, but they don't win. |
| "Our inner self is being renewed day by day" (4:16) | God keeps making us new inside. |
| "Light and momentary affliction" (4:17) | Compared to eternity, our troubles are small. |
| "What is unseen is eternal" (4:18) | God's promises last forever. |
Back Then
Clay jars held everything from water to coins. Rich people sometimes hid treasure in plain jars.
Paul suffered a lot. He was beaten, shipwrecked, hungry, and imprisoned (11:23-27).
Paul quotes Genesis 1:3 ("Let there be light") and Psalm 116:10 ("I believed, therefore I have spoken").
Literal Reader Alert
Is Paul saying suffering is "light"? Paul suffered terribly. He calls it light only compared to the glory to come. If you're suffering now, it's okay to say it's heavy.
Does "not crushed" mean I'll never feel crushed? Paul felt hard pressed and confused. The promise is that troubles won't have the final word.
What is "the god of this age"? The devil, who tries to keep people from seeing the light of Jesus.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paul | Hard pressed | He faced trouble on all sides (4:8) |
| Paul | Not in despair | God's power kept him going (4:8) |
| Paul | Hopeful | God will raise us with Jesus (4:14) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
How are you feeling right now? Tap one.
Hard pressed
But not crushed. God's power holds you.
Confused
Perplexed, but not in despair.
Wearing out
Your inner self is being renewed day by day.
Ordinary
God puts his treasure in clay jars like you.
You Might Have Heard
"If God is with you, you'll be strong and successful."
What's true: God gives strength.
What the passage is mainly about: Paul was beaten down, confused, and wearing out, and that's exactly where God's power showed. God's treasure is in clay jars, so everyone can see the power is his.
Where Jesus is: His death and life show in his people. The God who raised him will raise us.
Good News
We are clay jars. Fragile and ordinary.
"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).
God's light shines in our hearts. We may be hard pressed, but not crushed. And God renews us every day.
We have God's treasure in jars of clay, so the power is clearly his. Hard pressed but not crushed, we do not lose heart.
Big Idea
We have God's treasure in jars of clay. Hard pressed but not crushed, we do not lose heart, because God renews us day by day.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught a "theology of the cross": God shows his power in weakness, in suffering, and in the cross, where the world least expects it.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 on Transfiguration Sunday, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 on the Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany and in early summer, and 2 Corinthians 4:13 to 5:1 in June (Lectionary 10).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany Year BSecond reading, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
- Transfiguration of Our Lord Year BSecond reading, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
- Lectionary 9 Year BSecond reading, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
- Lectionary 10 Year BSecond reading, 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
For a newsletter or sermon notes
2 Corinthians 4, explained in plain words. Paul is beaten down and wearing out. He says that's exactly where God's power shows. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/2-corinthians-4/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church