March 31, 2022
Young, Rested, and Transformed
2 Corinthians 4
Paul Figel
Central Truth
When we abide in Christ, we are transformed by the greatest love Christ has shown, leading us to show the same love to others.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4
The Light of the Gospel
1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, 1 4:1 Greek having this ministry as we have received mercy we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice 2 4:2 Greek to walk in cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants 3 4:5 Or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the 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 jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also 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 death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self 4 4:16 Greek man is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as 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.
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Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 4
While ministry aligned with God is conducive to flourishing, many of us find ourselves attempting to do ministry for the approval of God or others, which leaves our souls fatigued. In this chapter, Paul continues to make a defense for his apostolic ministry to the Corinthian church, explaining why and how he and his team persevere (2 Corinthians 4:1-2), why some don't believe their testimony (2 Corinthians 4:3-5), and why Paul continues preaching anyway (2 Corinthians 4:5-7). He further describes their perseverance (2 Corinthians 4:8-10), the reason for their perseverance (2 Corinthians 4:11-15), and their perspective rooting their perseverance (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
The love of Christ did not just change Paul's theology, but transformed his life, as it should ours. Love is the mark of the life of a disciple (John 13:35; 1 John 4:8). As God is love, and as the person of Jesus Christ is the exact "image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4), who perfectly displayed the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6), our hearts' disposition to the Father and to others should be aligned with His.
Everyone responds to God's love, either with defiance, indifference (2 Corinthians 4:4), sloth, thanksgiving, or zeal. Those who are slothful are often so because they still have greater love for self than others, whereas those who respond appropriately with thanksgiving give glory to God and are zealous for doing good (2 Corinthians 4:15; Titus 2:14).
In regard to zeal, however, those who are in Christ must abide in His love (John 15:9) in order to be careful that the Christian life does not become one of "What must I do for God?," but remains "What do I get to do with God?" Like Paul, when we abide in Christ, we are transformed by the greatest love Christ has shown (John 15:13), willing to lay our lives down for others (2 Corinthians 4:10, 12). The works we do become less about us and more about His glory (2 Corinthians 4:7, 15). What results is perseverance rather than burnout; a renewal of the inner self rather than atrophy (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Discussion Questions
1. How's your spiritual tank? Do you find yourself working hard in ministry yet consistently running on empty? If afflicted, do you feel crushed? Do you despair when you're confused about what God is doing? If your plans fail, do you feel like your life is falling apart? (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you hidden motives or misconceptions of your heart.
2. Do you question if you have a ministry? Is it a perspective problem or a love problem? Do you fail to see where God has placed you at home or work or work-from-home as an opportunity to love people? Or do you think you simply lack love for others when it comes at the expense of yourself or your comfort? Take time to remember God's love for you today and ask Him to create an outworking of that same love through you.