The Light of the Gospel

Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,(A) we do not give up.(B) 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) But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 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) For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,(I) and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:4 Or the gospel of the glorious Christ, or the glorious gospel of Christ

Treasure in Clay Jars

Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown to us, we do not get discouraged. Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not use trickery or pervert God’s word. By clear statements of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.

So if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are dying.[a] In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe to keep them from seeing the light of the glorious gospel of the Messiah,[b] who is the image of God.

For we do not preach ourselves, but rather Jesus the Messiah[c] as Lord, and ourselves as merely your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[d] has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus[e] the Messiah.[f]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Or being destroyed
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or Christ
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Or Christ
  4. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen 1:3
  5. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Other mss. lack Jesus
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Or Christ; other mss. read of the Messiah Jesus