2Cor4

2 Corinthians, Chapter 4
© Copyright 2003 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

2 Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, 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.

Paul said that "we" have a ministry. Was he including that wild bunch of Corinthians? Yes!

To what ministry was Paul referring?

2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (KJV)

God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, and the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). We are to tell those around us of God's reconciling power through Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (KJV)

2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Is the gospel hidden? Yes it is!

Not all are subject to salvation at the same time.

We are chosen to come to Christ at a specified time. Until that specific time arrives, the gospel is hidden from us.

Until Christ beckons us, we are being lost, and perishing due to our sins.

When The Father calls us to the Son, we take on a new Character. As the Bible says, we put on a new man (Ephesians 4:24).

The god of this world is blinding the minds of those that do not believe.

What is blindness?

Physical blindness is not being able to see physical light. Spiritual blindness is not being able to understand the message of Christ Jesus.

One is unable to see the sun. The other is unable to see the Son.

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

The objective to preaching is not to build a following for the Preacher.

The objective of preaching is to add to the Kingdom, to build up Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

God said, "Let there be light," and light appeared in the creation. Now He says, "Let there be Light." And, Light appears in our hearts and minds.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

God’s salvation treasure has been placed within our perishable bodies so that those around us may see the glory of God in us.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

As Satan tries to separate us from God, we are afflicted by temptations to sin against God.

However, we are not troubled to the extent that we, in despair, reject Christ and are thereby destroyed, rendered spiritually ineffective.

Christians do not carry the body and cross of Christ as burdens, but as badges of honor so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in us.

2 Corinthians 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

Day to day, We are constantly being delivered from death giving sin. Our deliverance is not for our sakes but for His.

2 Corinthians 4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Paul was writing about his personal battle, but it is true of all that call upon the name of Jesus.

The "lost" do not understand, because we bear these supposed burdens with joy instead of sorrow.

"Christians" that go around with long faces singing "Gloom, despair, And Agony On Me" are, at best, weak in the faith.

2 Corinthians 4:13-14
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

We have the Holy Spirit of the Almighty God resident with us and that causes us to react in a way that the "lost" cannot comprehend.

As Christians it is our job to tell others. It is not our Job to force others to believe.

We know that God, Who raised Jesus from the dead will raise us. And, He shall raise all who trust in and proclaim. "Jesus is Lord."

2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

God, the Father, has done all for our benefit. He has caused grace to abound and superabound to all that believe.

2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Because of His superabundant grace and power we are to stay the course, not lose heart.

We may be physically dying, but inwardly the Holy Spirit rejuvenates us each day.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we 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.

We should have the mind of Christ. When Jesus was confronted with what lay ahead physically in suffering as opposed to what lay ahead spiritually the choice was a "no brainer."