Paul’s Apostolic Ministry

Therefore, since we have this (A)ministry, as we (B)received mercy, we (C)do not lose heart, but we have renounced the (D)things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor (E)distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth (F)commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our (G)gospel is (H)veiled, it is veiled [a]to (I)those who are perishing, in whose case (J)the god of (K)this [b]world has (L)blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that [c]they will not see the (M)light of the gospel of the (N)glory of Christ, who is the (O)image of God. For we (P)do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants [d]on account of Jesus. For God, who said, “(Q)Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has (R)shone in our hearts to give the (S)Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in [e](T)earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of (U)the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are (V)afflicted in every way, but not (W)crushed; (X)perplexed, but not despairing; (Y)persecuted, but not (Z)abandoned; (AA)struck down, but not destroyed; 10 (AB)always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that (AC)the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.

13 But having the same (AD)spirit of faith, according to what is written: “(AE)I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who (AF)raised the Lord Jesus (AG)will also raise us with Jesus, and will (AH)present us with you. 15 For all things are (AI)for your sakes, so that grace, having [f](AJ)spread to more and more people, will cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we (AK)do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our (AL)inner person is (AM)being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, (AN)light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we (AO)look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Lit among
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Lit age
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or the light...image of God, will not shine upon them
  4. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Two early mss through Jesus
  5. 2 Corinthians 4:7 Or earthenware containers
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:15 Lit multiplied through the many

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

Therefore, since through God’s mercy(A) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(B) Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;(C) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.(D) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience(E) in the sight of God. And even if our gospel(F) is veiled,(G) it is veiled to those who are perishing.(H) The god(I) of this age(J) has blinded(K) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,(L) who is the image of God.(M) For what we preach is not ourselves,(N) but Jesus Christ as Lord,(O) and ourselves as your servants(P) for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a](Q) made his light shine in our hearts(R) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.(S)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay(T) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(U) and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side,(V) but not crushed; perplexed,(W) but not in despair; persecuted,(X) but not abandoned;(Y) struck down, but not destroyed.(Z) 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(AA) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(AB) 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(AC) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.(AD)

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b](AE) Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith,(AF) we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead(AG) will also raise us with Jesus(AH) and present us with you to himself.(AI) 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving(AJ) to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(AK) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(AL) we are being renewed(AM) day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(AN) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,(AO) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given