2 Corinthians 4
The Light of the Gospel
Therefore, having athis ministry bby the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced adisgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or bto tamper with God’s word, but cby the open statement of the truth dwe would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even aif our gospel is veiled, bit is veiled to cthose who are perishing. 4 In their case athe god of this world bhas blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing cthe light of dthe gospel of the glory of Christ, ewho is the image of God. 5 For what awe proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with bourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, a“Let light shine out of darkness,” bhas shone in our hearts to give cthe light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Treasure in Jars of Clay
7 But we have this treasure in ajars of clay, bto show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are aafflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but anot forsaken; bstruck down, but not destroyed; 10 aalways carrying in the body the death of Jesus, bso that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So adeath is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have athe same spirit of faith according to what has been written, b“I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that ahe who raised the Lord Jesus bwill raise us also with Jesus and cbring us with you into his presence. 15 For ait is all for your sake, so that as bgrace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, cto the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. aThough our outer self is wasting away, bour inner self cis being renewed day by day. 17 For athis light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 aas we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.