THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL
2 Corinthians chapter 4
Introduction.
In this chapter, we have seven descriptions of the Gospel of which Paul was a preacher. They are:
- The word of God - v.2.
- The truth - v.2.
- Our Gospel (ie, announced by the Apostles) - v.3.
- The glory of Christ - see 4.
- Christ Jesus as Lord - v.5.
- The glory of God in the face of Christ - v.6.
- A treasure - v.7
The sincerity of Paul – verses 1 and 2
Paul did not tamper with or modify the message of God, the Christian Gospel, to gain adherents. False teachers did this, but he strived to show in his life the truth he preached.
The work of Satan – verses 3 and 4
The “god of this world" closes against the Gospel the minds of those who do not want the light of the Gospel; they do not want to understand, then the Devil makes it impossible for them to understand the message of divine grace.
The Lordship of Christ - verses 5 and 6
Paul and other apostles did not offer themselves as saviours; only the true God - Jesus Christ - received as truly the Lord of life in all things can save us and keep us in constant contact with God. See the word of Peter in Acts 10:36 - " Jesus Christ, the Lord of all "- and that of Paul in Romans 10:9 -" if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus... you will be saved."
The glory of God in Christ was literally seen by the three apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2, Luke 9:29), it is seen in the light of the new creation, for believers to acknowledge Christ as the perfect representation of God .
Earthen vessels – verses 7 to 12
This wonderful mention of the glory of God in Christ - the Gospel message - was being announced, not by angels or spirits of people who had already died, but by men still in their bodies - weak, perplexed, persecuted, struck down (but not destroyed) - all for being of the Lord Jesus, that the new life (the "treasure" of v. 7) might be shown in mortal people (and not only after death).
Because of this the apostles suffered, but the converts grew up in the new life.
Faith for preaching – verses 13 to 18
The apostles preached what they themselves believed. They knew that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, would also raise the apostles and the converts. The great grace of God won the gratitude of many for His glory (13-15). So they did not lose heart; the body would die, but the spirit is being renewed every day and suffering for love of the Gospel (light and momentary!) produces for the preachers an incomparable glory, because the visible things of this life are not our main occupation but yes, the invisible, which belong to eternity (18).
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are 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 the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe and therefore speak,
14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while 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.
2 Corinthians chapter 4