2 Corinthians 4:1-15

1 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.
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.
13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of 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.

Questions to consider:

• Describe the ministry Paul has been given. How has he received it?
• Contrast the message of the gospel with the messengers who present it.
• Why do you think God chooses this way to present himself?
• How does Paul view thanksgiving in verse 15?

Possibilities for prayer:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
Sometimes, Paul has these beautiful poetic metaphors. He seems to be suggesting that God uses frail, limited, inconsequential us to reveal himself to the world so that the world can know that it’s not actually us but God’s power at work in us that does these great things. Today, let’s thank God for the privilege of being able to spread His goodness to the world, and for the strength and courage to do it well.