Read the Passage: 2 Corinthians 4

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 2 Corinthians 4

Gospel Light (4:1–6)

In the previous chapter, Paul had written about the glory of the gospel and its effect upon those who receive it—namely, freedom and transformation. In the present chapter Paul continues his discussion of the gospel, as he defends his ministry and message. At 2 Cor. 4:1 Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” In other words, Paul’s stance was that the mercy he received from God far outweighed the resistance he faced from the world when sharing the gospel. Surely the opposition and affliction Paul experienced was discouraging at times. However, Paul’s testimony is that gospel joy exceeds worldly trials. Next, by way of response to the false teachers, Paul declares that he was not guilty of hidden sins, deceitful living, or devious teaching; rather, Paul’s ministry was marked by the manifestation of truth.

It seems that the false teachers may have been arguing that Paul’s message—that is, the gospel itself—was obsolete or inadequate. In replying to this charge, Paul explains that the effect of the gospel is not contingent upon the message or the minister, for it is God who saves. Furthermore, a main reason why the gospel remains veiled to so many people is because “the god of this age has blinded [those] who do not believe” (2 Cor. 4:4). Indeed, being instruments of evil, the false teachers themselves were hindering the gospel. While it may be discouraging for believers to consider that Satan is actively working to hinder the kingdom of God, it should be encouraging to remember that successful ministry is simply sharing the gospel and leaving the results in God’s hands. Paul teaches at 2 Cor. 4:6 that God’s creation of light in darkness is a picture of the gospel (cf. Col. 1:13).

Earthen Vessels (4:7–15)

At 2 Cor. 4:7–12 Paul further explores his own shortcomings. While the false teachers viewed Paul’s weaknesses as a hindrance to ministry, Paul understood his own deficiencies to be essential for ministry (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9–10). Indeed, Paul desired “that the excellence of the power [of the gospel] may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7). Next, in 2 Cor. 4:8–10, Paul lists five facets of his ministry that displayed his limitations, as well as five marks of God’s mercy. Paul’s weaknesses entailed his being hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, and always dying. Yet, God’s mercies were clearly evident as Paul was not crushed, not in despair, not forsaken, not destroyed, and living for Christ. Note that while he described himself as being “always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:11), later in this epistle Paul arrived at the conclusion, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).

Paul explained at 2 Cor. 4:12, that it was his weakness and demise that led to strength and life for the church. Then, lest he be misunderstood, Paul teaches that since he had “the same spirit of faith” (2 Cor. 4:13) as did the Corinthians, he too possessed eternal life and would be present with them in glory (cf. 2 Cor. 4:14). Indeed, Christian ministry is somewhat ironic, for the one who ministers must die to self, in order that others might live, which itself is a conformation of life in the one who ministers. From this passage, note the following three observations: first, it is “the same spirit of faith” (2 Cor. 4:13) that leads to the salvation of all people; second, it was God the father “who raised up the Lord Jesus [and] will also raise us up” (2 Cor. 4:14); and third, the goal of salvation is that “many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4:15).

Inward Renewal (4:16–18)

Earlier in this epistle, Paul alluded to the physical suffering he’d experienced in ministry. At 2 Cor. 4:16–18 Paul again refers to bodily decay, both that which occurs naturally and that which results from persecution. Here Paul writes, “We do not lose heart even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). This teaching ought to be encouraging, for while our outward bodies are empty and dying because of sin, our inward souls can be full and living because of the gospel. Furthermore, believers can take courage, writes Paul, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). In other words, our present physical suffering is preparing us for future spiritual rewards. Indeed, we must not focus on that which is seen, but on that which is not seen.

Application Questions:

1. How can opposition to the gospel, as well as personal affliction, make Christians more effective in their ministries?
2. Have you ever been tempted to judge the value of Christian ministry—yours or that of another—by visible results?
3. Why are most Christians hesitant to share their sins, weaknesses, and failings with other believers?
4. How might an understanding of the common means and goal of salvation lead to greater unity in the church?
5. What proof do we have that our present physical sufferings pale in comparison to future spiritual blessings?