2 Corinthians 4 - We Have This Treasure in Jars of Clay!

2 Corinthians 4

Enduring Word Commentary

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Unlike some of the other preachers who peddled God's word for a profit, Paul has nothing to hide. Importantly he does not distort the Word of God. God's Word never changes but that doesn't mean preachers and teachers will always interpret it correctly. Some may even try to make the Word of God mean what they want it to mean to push their own agenda. There are strict warnings in God's Word to those who do this. These people are often called "false prophets".  

Once again Paul taught a few chapters ago about that those who don't come to believe are blinded to the truth of the gospel. The gospel seems simple enough. God sent His Son to earth to die for our sins, so we would not have to face God's punishment. we rightfully deserved because of our sin. Jesus died for all of our sin on the cross and was raised from the dead proving he was the true Son of God. But the problem is the evil one has blinded the minds of unbelievers. 

We know the gospel is preached most clearly when it is all about Jesus. The preacher needs to get out of the way and point to Christ alone. As someone who preaches on a regular basis, this is what I strive for. I don't think there is anything wrong with using analogies or stories from my life to make the verses more relevant and interesting, but in the end the sermon should always lead to the cross and the empty grave. 

“The blindness of unbelievers in no way detracts from the clearness of the gospel for the sun is no less resplendent because the blind do not perceive its light.” (Calvin)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, 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.

Paul is using an illustration that would have made a lot of sense in his day. People often put treasures in jar clays to hide them. Because the jars were so ordinary, no one would have thought they contained anything value so things were pretty much safe in them. We are like those clay jars and we have the treasure (Jesus), the most valuable possession anyone would ever want, living inside of us. Someone joked we are all a bunch of "cracked pots", or "crack pots!" But remember without the cracks there would be no where for the sun to shine. 

But even our brokenness gives Jesus a chance to shine. And because our humanness is so obvious people's attention is brought to the treasure in the jar, not the jar itself. Another evidence of this was all the hardships Paul and his disciples endured. When Jesus called them he didn't lead them to a "cushy" life. The same principle that was shown in Jesus' life, was shown in Paul's. Jesus' death brought new life. Paul was surrounded by death and persecution all the time. 

We almost always are drawn to the thing that has the best packaging, but the best gifts often have the most unlikely packaging. God did not see a need to “package” Jesus when He came as a man to this earth. Jesus was not embarrassed to live as an earthen vessel. God is not embarrassed to use clay pots like us. - Guzik

Paul, like any Christian, wanted the life of Jesus evident in him. Paul knew this could only happen if he also carried about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus. There are some aspects of God’s great work in our lives that only happen through trials and suffering. - Guzik

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

This is a great principle – that faith creates the testimony. Paul really believed God had a purpose in his death-like sufferings, and really believed he lived and experienced the resurrection life of Jesus. Therefore, he wasn’t hesitant to speak about it. - Guzik

Where in your life have you suffered? Could you write the same types of things that Paul has written? 

Some people think their Christian testimony needs to dramatic, or at least a personal encounter or  visitation with Jesus, himself. We are given the gift of faith when we hear the gospel about Jesus and believe. Our faith grows, as we trust God to lead us and also trust that He can work all things together for good. Our faith is forged in the fire. Just like the fire burned away all of the impurities of a piece of metal, so our trials can conform us to the image of Christ. It is fairly easy to trust in Jesus when everything is going well and of course God loves to bless our lives. But God also allows bad things to happen to good people. If the Son of God, suffered so will we, but as the Son of God was raised from the dead so God will give life to our mortal bodies when we die!

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

These verses are definitely worth memorizing. Paul talks about what is going on inside of us that the world sees, but the world doesn't see what God is doing on the inside of us. While our bodies get old, more tired, and age each day, our inward is being renewed in the image of our Creator. As you look at the Christian life you have to take the "long view". Though sometimes Christians might look like they are getting the "short end of the stick", we know our eternal reward waits for us in heaven. It will make our momentary troubles pale in comparison to the glory which will be revealed to us in Christ Jesus. 

So in summary, we will probably all suffer as Christians. Some more, some less. But God has a purpose in our suffering. 

1. It will show Jesus more clearly in your and shine through you. 

2. It will make us rely on him a lot more. 

3. It will conform us to the image of Christ. 

4. It is an amazing testimony to the people around us. 

5. It is achieving an eternal glory that could never be compared to what we are gong through here!

The next time you suffer as a Christian, remember these principles. Remember also the power of prayer when you are going through hard times and the love, support, and encouragement the church can be to you!