Bible Reading Plan

2 Corinthians 4

Chapter 4

The Light of the Gospel

¹ Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,^(a) we do not give up.^{(b) 2} Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking^(c) in deceit or distorting God's message,^(d) but commending ourselves to every person's conscience in God's sight by an open display of the truth.^{(e) 3} But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case, the god of this age^(f) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,^[a](g) who is the image of God.^{(h) 5} For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,⁽ⁱ⁾ and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. ⁶ For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"^(j) has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge^(k) of God's glory^(l) in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power^(m) may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁹ we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry the death of Jesus⁽ⁿ⁾ in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always given over to death^(o) because of Jesus, so that Jesus' life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death works in us, but life in you. ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, ^(p)[b] we also believe, and therefore speak. ¹⁴ We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus^(q) and present us with you. ¹⁵ Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving^(r) to increase to God's glory.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not give up.^(s) Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person^(t) is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction^[c](u) is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.^{(v) 18} So we do not focus on what is seen,^(w) but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.