2 Corinthians 4

The Light of Christ’s Gospel

Therefore, since we have this ministry, ^aas we have received mercy, we ^bdo not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor ¹handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth ^acommending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, ^ait is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds ^athe god of this age ^bhas blinded, who do not believe, lest ^cthe light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, ^dwho is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 ^aFor we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ^bourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God ^awho commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has ^bshone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, ^athat the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are ^ahard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not ^aforsaken; ^bstruck down, but not destroyed— 10 ^aalways carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, ^bthat the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live ^aare always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we have ^athe same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ^b“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that ^aHe who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For ^aall things are for your sakes, that ^bgrace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible

16 Therefore we ^ado not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is ^bbeing renewed day by day. 17 For ^aour light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 ^awhile we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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