2 Corinthians 4
New King James Version
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
4 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 ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, (D)it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds (E)the god of this age (F)has blinded, who do not believe, lest (G)the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, (H)who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 (I)For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and (J)ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God (K)who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has (L)shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, (M)that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are (N)hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not (O)forsaken; (P)struck down, but not destroyed— 10 (Q)always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, (R)that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live (S)are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we have (T)the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, (U)“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that (V)He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For (W)all things are for your sakes, that (X)grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Seeing the Invisible
16 Therefore we (Y)do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is (Z)being renewed day by day. 17 For (AA)our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 (AB)while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 4:2 adulterating the word of God
2 Corinthians 4
American Standard Version
4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: 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 sight of God. 3 And even if our [a]gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that [b]perish: 4 in whom the god of this [c]world hath blinded the [d]minds of the unbelieving, [e]that the [f]light of the [g]gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your [h]servants [i]for Jesus’ sake. 6 Seeing it is God, that said, [j]Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the [k]light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9 pursued, yet not [l]forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the [m]dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, [n]I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; 14 knowing that he that raised up [o]the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through [p]the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.
16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 4:3 See marginal note on 2:12.
- 2 Corinthians 4:3 Or, are perishing
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, age
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek thoughts.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, that they should not see the light . . . image of God
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek illumination.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 See marginal note on 2:12.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5 Greek bondservants. Compare 1 Cor. 9:19.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5 Some ancient authorities read through Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 Greek illumination.
- 2 Corinthians 4:9 Or, left behind
- 2 Corinthians 4:10 Greek putting to death.
- 2 Corinthians 4:13 Ps. 116:10.
- 2 Corinthians 4:14 Some ancient authorities omit the Lord.
- 2 Corinthians 4:15 Greek the more.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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