2 Corinthians 4 - Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,(A) we do not give up.(B) 2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting(C) deceitfully or distorting the word of God,(D) but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience 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 to keep them from seeing 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 servants for Jesus’s sake. 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 afflicted 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 displayed in our body. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death(O) for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is at work 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,[b](P) we also believe, and therefore speak. 14 For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus(Q) and present us with you. 15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving(R) to increase to the glory of God.

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(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.

Footnotes

  1. 4:4 Or the gospel of the glorious Christ, or the glorious gospel of Christ
  2. 4:13 Ps 116:10 LXX

Cross references

  1. 4:1 : Mt 5:7; Mk 5:19; Lk 1:50
  2. 4:1 : 2Th 3:13
  3. 4:2 : 2Jn 6
  4. 4:2 : 2Co 2:17; 2Tm 2:15; Heb 4:12
  5. 4:2 : 2Co 5:11–12; 6:7; 7:14
  6. 4:4 : Lk 16:8
  7. 4:4 : Mk 10:37
  8. 4:4 : Gn 1:27
  9. 4:5 : Php 2:11
  10. 4:6 : Gn 1:3; Mt 6:23
  11. 4:6 : Php 3:8; 1Jn 4:8
  12. 4:6 : Mk 10:37; Lk 9:32; Jn 17:24; 2Co 3:18; 2Pt 3:18
  13. 4:7 : Mk 5:30; Lk 1:35; 6:19; Ac 19:11; 2Co 13:4; Rv 11:17
  14. 4:10 : Lk 9:23; Rm 5:6–8; 6:5–8; 8:34–36; Gl 6:17
  15. 4:11 : Mt 10:21; Jn 8:51; Php 3:10
  16. 4:13 : Ps 116:10 LXX
  17. 4:14 : 1Th 4:14
  18. 4:15 : 2Co 9:11
  19. 4:16 : 2Th 3:13
  20. 4:16 : Rm 7:22
  21. 4:17 : Gl 6:2
  22. 4:17 : Lk 24:26; 1Pt 5:1,4
  23. 4:18 : Rm 8:24

You Might Also Like:

2 Corinthians 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 Because of this, having this ministration, according as we did receive kindness, we do not faint, 2 but did renounce for ourselves the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully using the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth recommending ourselves unto every c...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 Therefore we that have this administration [Therefore we having this administration, or office], after this that we have gotten mercy, fail we not, 2 but do we away the privy things of shame, not walking in subtle guile, neither doing adultery by the word of God, but in showing of the truth comme...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

4 God in his kindness gave us this work. So we do not give up. 2 We never do wrong things nor do things in secret. We do not fool people nor change God's message. No, we tell people the truth openly. We let every person judge us for himself. We know that God sees all we do. 3 If the good news which ...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the s...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

Drawing from Exodus 32–34, Paul uses Moses as a model of one who has been transformed by God’s glory, but in a limited way. Moses encountered God (the Lord) through the Spirit on that mountain, but the Spirit now—as a fulfillment of the new covenant—dwells in the hearts of believers and continually ...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Treasures in Jars of Clay4 For this reason, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 Instead, we renounced the hidden shameful ways—not walking in deception or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by the open...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Treasure in Clay Jars4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,[a] we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s consci...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

4 Therefore, seeing that we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not faint. 2 But we have cast from us the cloaks of shame, and do not walk in craftiness, nor handle the word of God deceitfully. But in declaration of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the si...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Light out of Darkness4 For this reason, since we have this work entrusted to us in accordance with the mercy we have received, we don’t lose heart. 2 On the contrary, we have renounced the secret things that make people ashamed. We don’t use tricks; we don’t falsify God’s word. Rather, we speak the...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Treasure in Clay Jars4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Treasure in Clay Jars4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.(A)2 We have renounced the shameful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the co...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

A true preacher is diligent. He does not corrupt the word of God. He does not preach himself, but seeks the honour of Christ – yea though it be at the risk of his life. 4 Therefore, seeing that we have such an office, even as mercy has come on us, we faint not, 2 but have cast from us the cloaks of...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Treasure in Fragile Clay Jars4 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way,[a] we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 3 If the G...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - New Life Version (NLV)

Paul Is Faithful in Preaching the Good News4 Through God’s loving-kindness, He has given us this job to do. So we do not give up. 2 We have put away all things that are done in secret and in shame. We do not play with the Word of God or use it in a false way. Because we are telling the truth, we wa...
Read More

2 Corinthians 4 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Light of Christ’s Gospel4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, (A)as we have received mercy, we (B)do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor [a]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth (C)commending our...
Read More