2 Corinthians 4 (in three parts)

Part 1 of 3

 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

There are two great dangers to the human soul: first are the false teachers of the true religion, and second are the teachers of false religions. Paul will indirectly address both of these in this passage. Paul understands that his life and ministry are the result of God's mercy. Mercy is the word that describes the pity and compassion that respond to the suffering caused by sin. It is not merely an emotion but also an action or help. The behavior of sinful people hurt Paul. They attacked him because of his ministry. But God had compassion on Paul. God acted for Paul’s benefit, and so Paul didn't give up.

There were some teachers at Corinth (and at every point and place in church history) that operated in wicked ways. Their practices were so underhanded that they kept them under wraps. The word “craftiness” in verse two is a compound word made by combining “every” and “work.” The sole focus of these kinds of teachers is on their own personal agenda. Their main tool is to “adulterate” or literally “distance the word of God.” False teachers of the true religion and teachers of false religion never point to Christ as the end and object of faith. One of the powers of both false religions and false teachers is its appeal to man's selfish and sinful nature. The true Christian teacher never points to himself but always to Christ. If a true Christian teacher ever refers to himself, it is so he can say. “Look at whom I'm pointing at: Christ!”

While Paul was so faithfully pointing out Christ, not all believers or teachers do this! This is because they were blinded by their agreement and cooperation with the god of this age. When a person listens to the dark powers and sins, two things happen. First they perform an act for which they are guilty. Second, they move into a place of deeper darkness from which they will, unless they repent, move closer to sin and progress into still deeper darkness. Moving into the dark, they will find it harder and harder to see how to turn around or repent. The Light of Christ becomes more and more dim. No teacher can turn them around; only the Light of Christ can. And in that light they are becoming more blind. The light can shine into the darkness, but it falls on eyes with no optic nerve. At some point they move beyond hope.

“Lord, grant me clarity of sight to see both Christ and my sin, and help me to repent. AMEN”

Part 2 of 3

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

This short passage is so encouraging and powerful it is almost beyond words. The most we can do is touch lightly on the key points and then reflect on them as we live as disciples, studying them more carefully and individually.

We are, as a society and culture, completely engrossed in the famous and glamorous. We come close to idolatry in our approach to celebrities and social media influencers. That has crept into the church. We focus on star power preachers, musicians, programs, or facilities. When we focus on human ability and a skill, we forfeit the grace and the power of God. Shabby is not more holy, but we must remember the true power comes from God. We must never forget what is the real power for life, faith, and discipleship. Paul uses a phrase with which we are likely unfamiliar: “treasures in clay jars.” This comes from the practice of a victorious army melting precious metals and pouring them into clay lamps to make their transport home easier. The clay pot was cheap, easily accessible, and perhaps one of the most disposable items in the first century. There are numerous applications we can make of this understanding and insight.

In the following verses (8-10), Paul is talking about what might ruin the clay pot, the physical body of the disciple, but by God's grace and providence, the clay vessel survives to do its job. There is a possibility that these four descriptions may reflect the combat of the Roman soldiers. Again, these verses motivate us to personal contemplation.

Paul describes a wonderful cycle beginning in verse 11. While one disciple is dying, they are making other disciples. The dying of one means the formation of another with the expectation that they will repeat the cycle. No disciple comes to Christ so that they can be the ‘end’ of the process. Rather, they are made alive so that they can pass this new life on.

Finally, in very subtle ways, Paul gives four reasons for his confidence in the gospel message. In verse 13, Paul offers the confidence caused by scripture. Those who ignore the Word of God or act as if they were its critics will never have a powerful faith. Humbly accepting the Word is the beginning point for any growing faith. The second reason for a confident faith is the resurrection of Jesus. The power of faith is based on the historic fact that Jesus was dead and is now alive. Third, the providence of God that results in the spread of the Gospel. All events need to be viewed as an opportunity for spreading the good news. Finally, Paul's confidence is found in the growing thanks and glorification of God the Father. 

“Lord, thank you for the wonderful life You have given to us. AMEN”

Part 3 of 3

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

If there's a passage for those under pressure for their faith, this may be that passage; indeed, it's for anyone who is suffering anxiety. Because of the four confidences Paul listed in verses 13-15, namely scripture, the resurrection of Christ, the growth of the gospel, and God's glory, Paul says we do not lose heart. The word “loose heart” is a compound word from two other words. Those words are “out of” and “inward bad.” In other words, because of the Resurrection, our hearts don't turn bad or evil within us. Paul acknowledges that the outward man, the physical person, is coming to complete and total ruin. The human body is bound for complete decay; it is only a matter of time. Paul here is still referring to the Jars of Clay analogy from earlier in the chapter (4:7). We are dust, and to dust we will return. While this decay goes on, the true self, the inner man, is being renewed. The word “renewed’ is complex; it comes from “up,” which carries the implication of complete plus “new or novel.” We are not talking about just the restoration of the same old worn-out body. Rather, this is something fundamentally different from the old.

One of the fundamental precepts of the life of a disciple is that of delayed gratification; in this case, glory comes at the cost of current suffering. Paul describes the hardship now as momentary and light; they are instantaneous and inconsequential. In view of his list of sufferings in chapter 11, how can he say that? Here is when the jars of clay an analogy help. The clay jars encased silver or gold. On the journey home the clay jar would be chipped, parts would break off, and abrasions would cause the jars to turn to dust. But what is clay and dust compared to an ingot of gold? The total weight of the clay fragments and dust was nothing compared to that of the precious metal. In fact, it was necessary for the jar of clay to be broken away to access that which was within. It is the affliction of the outer man and removal of the clay that reveals the gold. The word for affliction that Paul uses here focuses on the pressure from which there is no escape, and it is an internal pressure. But this affliction produces the glory that is beyond comparison. The last phrase in verse 17 of the New Testament Greek is not directly translatable. Literally it would be, “a far throw beyond, into a throw beyond an eternal weight of glory is producing.” The word sometimes translated as “exceedingly” is literally thrown beyond. Think of the throw of a toddler tossing a toy ball compared to that of an NFL quarterback. Now compare that throw to the throw of a long-range artillery shell. The comparison Paul is making is that of the dust of the outer man compared to the weight of glory that hardship produces. As James said, “Count it all joy, brothers, when you encounter various trials.”

We are able to endure the grinding to dust when we focus our gaze on the things that are not seen with a physical eye. We see in verse 18 Paul using some creative language. The word “look” carries the implication of contemplation. In contrast, Paul uses the word translated “seen” four times. This word carries the implication to see physically but also to understand the spiritual implication. That which captures the imagination will control the will. The glimpse, no matter how short, about which we contemplate will become the focus of our lives. We cannot possibly live as disciples if our focus is on the things that we can see with the physical eye. If your physical eye can see it, then you can be tempted by it. So how do we see that which is unseen? It begins by asking God for the insight to open our eyes. And when we get that glimpse of glory, hang on to it and never let it go.

“Lord, please give me a glimpse of glory. AMEN”