Bullet Point Bible - 2 Corinthians 4

Ministry of the New Covenant

¹ Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged.² But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience before God.³ But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing,⁴ among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.⁵ For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.⁶ For God, who said " Let light shine out of darkness ," is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.

Paul connects this chapter directly to the previous discussion of the New Covenant's glory (2 Cor 3).
The motivation for perseverance in ministry ("we do not become discouraged") is the mercy received from God.
Apostolic ministry is characterized by integrity, rejecting deceit and manipulation ("shameful hidden deeds," "distorting the word of God").
The method is open proclamation ("open proclamation of the truth"), appealing to the conscience under God's scrutiny.
The gospel's message can be rejected ("veiled"), but the responsibility lies with the unbeliever, described as "perishing."
Paul identifies Satan ("the god of this age") as the active agent blinding unbelievers to the gospel's truth.
The core message proclaimed is not the apostles themselves, but "Jesus Christ as Lord."
The apostles view themselves humbly as "slaves for Jesus’ sake," serving the church.
Paul draws a parallel between God's original creation act ("Let light shine out of darkness," Gen 1:3) and the spiritual illumination He brings to believers' hearts.
The ultimate revelation is the "knowledge of the glory of God," seen most clearly "in the face of Christ."

Paradox of Power in Weakness

⁷ But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.⁸ We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair;⁹ we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed,¹⁰ always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body.¹¹ For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body.¹² As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

The "treasure" refers to the gospel message and the ministry of the New Covenant (2 Cor 4:6).
"Clay jars" (earthen vessels) represent the fragility and ordinariness of human messengers (apostles).
This contrast highlights that the "extraordinary power" displayed in ministry originates solely from God, not human ability.
Paul lists four pairs of contrasting experiences (trouble/not crushed, perplexed/not despairing, persecuted/not abandoned, knocked down/not destroyed) illustrating resilience through God's power.
"Carrying around in our body the death of Jesus" refers to the apostles' constant suffering and identification with Christ's passion.
The purpose of this suffering is paradoxical: it allows "the life of Jesus" (his resurrection power and presence) to be manifested through them.
Verse 11 reiterates this theme: ongoing exposure to danger ("handed over to death") serves to reveal Jesus' life in their physical existence ("mortal body").
The result is summarized: the apostles experience suffering ("death"), which paradoxically leads to spiritual life and benefit ("life") for the Corinthians. This counters accusations that Paul's suffering indicated God's disapproval.

Faith, Proclamation, and Thanksgiving

¹³ But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, " I believed; therefore I spoke ," we also believe, therefore we also speak.¹⁴ We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence.¹⁵ For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.

Paul aligns his ministry with the faith expressed in Psalm 116:10 (LXX 115:1), where belief leads to proclamation even amidst affliction.
The "spirit of faith" is the shared disposition of trusting God and speaking out based on that trust.
The driving force behind their bold proclamation despite suffering is the certainty of resurrection ("we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up").
This hope includes future reunion with Christ and fellow believers ("bring us together with you into his presence").
Paul emphasizes that his sufferings and ministry ("all these things") are ultimately for the benefit of the Corinthians ("for your sake").
The goal is the expansion of God's grace to more people, resulting in increased thanksgiving directed towards God.
Thanksgiving is presented as a key element contributing "to the glory of God."
This section connects the apostles' inner conviction (faith) with their outward action (speaking) and ultimate purpose (God's glory through the church's growth and gratitude).

Focus on the Eternal

¹⁶ Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.¹⁷ For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison¹⁸ because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Paul returns to the theme of perseverance ("Therefore we do not despair"), linking it to the hope just described.
He acknowledges the reality of physical decline and suffering ("our physical body is wearing away"). The Greek term suggests decay or corruption.
This outer decay is contrasted with the continuous spiritual strengthening ("our inner person is being renewed day by day").
Paul reframes present suffering ("momentary, light suffering") by comparing it to its outcome: an "eternal weight of glory."
The contrast is stark: momentary vs. eternal, light vs. weighty, suffering vs. glory. The glory vastly outweighs the suffering ("far beyond all comparison").
This perspective shift is possible because their focus ("looking at") is fixed on the unseen, spiritual realities rather than the visible, material world.
The foundational principle is stated: visible things are transient ("temporary"), while unseen things are permanent ("eternal").
This final section provides the ultimate basis for apostolic endurance: a confident hope rooted in the eternal realities promised by God, which dwarf present hardships.
It encourages believers to adopt an eternal perspective when facing trials.

The Bullet Point Bible

2 Corinthians 4