seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Corinthians 4:1 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,”[a] 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.”[b] 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.
16 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.
a. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3
b. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
c. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given
This is from bible_studys.org.
The god of this world of course is Satan. This is speaking of the mind set expressed by the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. It encompasses the world’s philosophies, education and commerce.
You cannot walk in the darkness of this world, and walk in the Light of God at the same time. The Light does away with darkness. Each of us is a free will agent. We can accept the Light of Jesus, or we can remain in the darkness. God will not force us to follow Him. It is our choice.
The word that God was translated from is Theos. The meaning of "Theos" is a Deity, Supreme Divinity, or Exceeding God. Everything that was applied to this earth, or created, all became as the Word was spoken. Creator God is also, the Spoken Word. The Light was eternal. It already existed. It was just commanded to shine its Light on the earth and give all things the power to be.
The "treasure" that the Christians have is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. The "earthen vessel" spoken of here, is the house of flesh. The flesh of man is from the dust of the earth. Our flesh is nothing.
The power of the Christian to minister is from Christ within him. The ministering of the Christian is Christ in him. We have been given power of attorney to use the name of Jesus. The real power in ministering is when we allow Christ to minister through us to the people.
Our physical body was not made for eternity. It is a fragile thing. It came from dust and unto dust it shall return. Our outward (flesh), man was made to die. The spirit, within the flesh, is the eternal being. The Spirit is made for eternity.
Our outward man, the physical body is in the process of decay and will eventually die. Paul was referring to the normal aging process.
I had a date who called light bulbs "dark suckers". Instead of omitting light.... he claimed that the bulb sucked the dark out of the room. No, I don't remember what all my dates said over the years....but this was so odd.... it stuck. In this chapter there is a a lot of talk about light and dark..... I've often wondered.... if the light bulb sucks dark..... where does it send the dark to?
I took a plane across country, Baltimore to LA..... a long time ago.... but I actually saw the shadow of night running just ahead of the plane..... it was as if the earth was being covered by a dark but twinkling blanket.... cool. As I was watching it.... I realized that as I was watching the dark grow.... someone else was watching the light grow on the other side of the earth.... interesting....
I have wondered..... if the body is like a vase..... and it's just full of dark.... is there room for light? Dark suckers would suck the dark out.... but what becomes of the empty vase? The light goes flooding in as the dark is sucked out.
Then there is the discussion of eternal life and the human body. Everyone says, when a human body dies.... it rots away. I'm going to be 70 next month... and let me assure you.... the body starts to give in long before death. My skin is so fragile.... I can split it by pulling off an adhesive bandage. Being blind in one eye [still] I run into walls, and stumble over speed bumps.... and I bruise really really easily even if the skin does stay in tact. I look like I've been in a fight some days. Sure this body will wear out.... but God sculpted this body..... and if I need a replacement of some kind.... I'm pretty sure He's got it sculpted. God told me.... If I believe.... I will live forever..... I don't know how that will happen.... I can't even figure out if a light bulb emits light or sucks the dark out of the room..... but sometimes just accepting it is better than trying to solve it.... it's like solving for pi.
