2 Corinthians 4:7

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

The life and work of a servant (4:1-18)God’s true servants do not avoid their responsibilities or use dishonest methods. They do not change the plain meaning of God’s Word to suit themselves, but teach that Word faithfully and directly (4:1-2). Not all will believe, because Satan blinds their minds, but true preachers remember always that the message they preach is Christ’s, not theirs. Then, when the hearers allow the light of that message to shine into their hearts, they see Christ as their... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Corinthians 4:7

earthen . Greek. ostrakinos Only here and 2 Timothy 2:20 . From ostrakon, a potsherd. Compare App-94 . Treasure in the East is often hidden in the earth and in a potter's vessel to protect from damp, &c. Compare Jeremiah 32:14 . that = Go order that. Greek. hina, excellency . Greek. huperbole. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:7 (abundance). power . Greek. dunamis. App-172 . of = out of. Greek. eh. App-104 . It does not emanate from us. "of God" is the possessive case. The power net only... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.The thought of this verse is that God entrusted the gospel to people who had none of the trappings of earthly power and honor, in order that the great success of the gospel would not be accredited to its messengers as men, but unto the eternal God who inspired them. And, although it is true, as Lipscomb said, that any earthly body "is an unworthy receptacle for so... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:7

2 Corinthians 4:7. We have this treasure in earthen vessels,— Vessels of clay which have been baked, and are brittle. The word rendered earthen,— οστρακινοις,— sometimes signifies shells, which are often made use of to preserve things of value in the cabinets of the curious; and these beinglikewise brittle, convey the same idea as the former,—that of the frailty of the human body, and the value of the treasure deposited in them. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:7

7. "Lest any should say, How then is it that we continue to enjoy such unspeakable glory in a mortal body? Paul replies, this very fact is one of the most marvellous proofs of God's power, that an earthen vessel could bear such splendor and keep such a treasure" [CHRYSOSTOM, Homilies, 8.496, A]. The treasure or "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God." The fragile "earthen vessel" is the body, the "outward man" ( :-; compare 2 Corinthians 4:10), liable to afflictions and death. So the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 4:7

The treasure that every Christian possesses is "the knowledge of the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 4:6, i.e., the gospel). Even though it is what dispels spiritual darkness God has deposited this precious gift in every clay Christian. This is a paradox, consequently the "but.""A vessel’s worth comes from what it holds, not from what it is." [Note: Kraftchick, p. 172.] God has done this so all may see that the transforming power of the gospel is supernatural and not just human (cf. Judges... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

3. The sufferings and supports of a minister of the gospel 4:7-5:10Paul proceeded to explain further the nature of ministry under the New Covenant so his readers would understand his ministry and theirs better. The nature of Christianity is paradoxical. Second Corinthians explains more of these paradoxes than any other New Testament book.In writing this epistle Paul wanted his readers to realize that his ministry was not faulty, as his critics charged, but that it was solidly within the will of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

The contrast between the message and the messenger 4:7-15Paul presented many paradoxical contrasts involved in the sufferings and supports of the Christian to clarify for his readers the real issues involved in serving Jesus Christ."This passage, which is about suffering and death (2 Corinthians 4:7-12), stands in stark contrast with the theme of ’glory’ so brilliantly developed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:7 to 2 Corinthians 4:6, to which he also will return in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18." [Note:... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

1-6. The messengers of this gospel are not afraid to proclaim it, for they preach Christ, who has revealed the glory of God.1, 2. Paraphrase. ’Having this glorious gospel to preach, we proclaim it boldly. (2) We have nothing to do with methods and practices which cannot bear the light (like those of your false teachers), for we neither seek to undo another’s work by unscrupulous hints and disgraceful insinuations, nor try to gain the favour of the Jewish Christians by false teaching about the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Corinthians 4:7

(7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.—The imagery here begins to change. The treasure is “the knowledge of the glory of God” as possessed by the Apostle. It was the practice of Eastern kings, who stored up their treasures of gold and silver, to fill jars of earthenware with coin or bullion (Herod. iii. 103. Comp. also Jeremiah 32:14). “So,” St. Paul says, in a tone of profound humility, “it is with us. In these frail bodies of ours—’earthen vessels’—we have that priceless treasure.”... read more

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