2 Corinthians 4
Dort1 The apostle testifieth that he set forth the Gospel uprightly and plainly before the conscience of all men, 3 and that if the same be hidden to any, it is hidden to them that perish, and whole minds Satan hath blinded. 5. That nevertheless this power is not from the Ministers but from Christ, and from God who enlightens the hearts. 8 That this power also wonderfully manifests it self in the Apostles of Christ, in the overcoming of all afflictions and tribulations, which daily come upon them. 13 And afterwards lays down diver’s grounds of consolation, with which they do strengthen themselves and others, taken from example of David. 14 From the blessed resurrection. 15 From the thankfulness for such deliverances. 16 From the renewing of the inward man, 17 and finally from the greatness of the eternal glory, which shall follow hereupon.
1. Therefore seeing we have his ministry, [Namely, not of the letter, nor of death, but of the spirit and life, wherefore is spoken in the former chapter, v.6&c.] according to the mercy which is showed us, we do not grow slack: [or faint, or remain not wanting, namely, notwithstanding all the troubles which come upon us in this administration, as appears from v.10. See of this word also, Luke 18:1.]
2. But we have cast away [Gr. renounced, or denied] the coverings of shame, [or the covered shamefulness: whereby he understands the evasions, garnishings and deceits of the false Apostles, who would frame their preachings according to humane wisdom or according to the inclinations of men to place them, and in the mean time by such cloakings to promote their own ease and honour, as the following words declare] not walking in craftiness, not falsifying the word of God, but by manifesting of the truth, making our selves acceptable [Gr. recommending, namely, that we deal in simplicity therein] to all consciences of men [namely, who judge uprightly and with understanding] in the presence of God.
3. But if our Gospel be also hid [that is, be dark and seeming strange] it is hid in them that perish.
4. In whom the God of this age [That is, Satan, who by a just judgment of God obtains such dominion over unbelieving men, as if he were a god of them, and whom they serve as their God. See John 12:31. Ephesians 2:2. and 6.12.] hath blinded their senses (namely) of unbelievers, that the illumination of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God [namely, not only in respect of his divine nature, being the eternal word and wisdom of the Father, but also in respect that he is God manifested in the flesh, by whom Gods glory, righteousness, grace, wisdom and power, is as it were in a glass expressed unto us in the Gospel. See Colossians 1:15. Hebrews 1:3.] should not beam forth [or shine, give light] unto them.
5. For we preach not our selves, but Christ Jesus the Lord: and our selves (that we are) your servants for Jesus sake.
6. For God who said [That is, commanded, namely, in the beginning of the creation, when darkness covered Earth, Genesis 1:2,3.] that the light should shine out of darkness, is who hath shined [namely, by his holy spirit] in our hearts, [namely, which were also dark and ignorant by nature. He speaketh here especially of the Apostles, by whom afterwards this light must be spread abroad among all nations] (to give) enlightening of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. [that is, the glory of God which shined in the face of Moses, and was covered by him, shines now more gloriously in the face of Christ, and is not covered by us, but held forth before all uncovered, to enlighten them thereby.]
7. But we have this treasure [Namely, of the knowledge of God in the first of Christ] in earthen vessels, [that is, we are weak, despised and tender instruments, in the midst of all persecutions] that the excellency of the power [namely, of this word of the gospel] may be Gods [that is, may be ascribed to God alone; as it is of God alone, and not of us. See 2 Corinthians 3:5,6.] and not of us.
8. (As) who in all things are afflicted, yet not distressed: [Namely, so that there is no evading. Otherwise this distressing is also affirmed of believers, Romans 8:35. 2 Cor. 6.4.] doubtfull-minded yet not despairing:
9. Persecute, yet not forsaken (there-) in : cast down, yet not destroyed:
10. Always bearing about in the body the killing of the Lord Jesus, [That is, danger of death for Christ sake. Or persecutions and distresses even unto death for Christ’s sake, and after the example of Christ, and which Christ also accounts to befall himself, Acts 9:4. as is declared in the following verse] that also in the life of Jesus [that is, the quickening power of Christ and of his spirit, which manifest itself here in our ministry, and hereafter shall fully manifest it self for our deliverance, as also the following verse declares. See Rom. 8.v.10,11.] might be manifest in our bodies.
11. For we that live are always given over unto death for Jesus sake: that the life of Jesus also might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12. So then death indeed worketh in us, [that is, the danger of death hangs continually over our heads, and worketh in us by the power of Christ the greater zeal for the diligent execution of our ministry] but life in you, [that is, but ye by our ministry, and all our tribulations and dangers of death, are more and more strengthened in the life of the spirit: so that even all these distresses which fall upon us, make for you good, and conduce to life unto you.]
13. Seeing now we have the same Spirit of Faith, [That is, the same Faith by the same Spirit, which all believers both of the Old and New Testament are partakers of, 1 Pet. 1.10,11.] as it is written; I believe therefore have I spoken: [this David speaketh, Psalms 116:19. when being in many troubles he testified his confidence in God of his deliverance, or when being delivered out of many troubles, he confessed before every one the confidence which he had in God also for time to come] we also believe, therefore we also speak, [that is, confess and proclaim before every one that which we believe.]
14. Knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus, shall also raise up by Jesus, and shall set us with you. [Namely, at the last day, when Christ shall appear on his judgment-seat, Ephesians 5:27.]
15. For all these things [Namely, which I have rehearsed of the dangers of death upon us, and of the wonderful deliverances which God giveth thereupon] are for your sakes, that the multiple grace [namely, which he sheweth in our wonderful deliverances for you comfort and edification, and for the spreading abroad of Gods honour by your thanksgiving for us] but the thanksgiving of many, be abundant to the glory of God.]
16. Therefore we grow not slothful: but although our outward man be destroyed [Gr.the man without, i.e. our body with our corporal strength, health and outward welfare] nevertheless the inward [Gr. the man within, i.e. the soul being renewed by the Spirit of God, more and more renewed by the Spirit of God, is daily in the midst of these troubles, more and more strengthened] is renewed from day to day.
17. For our light affliction, [Gr. the light, or the lightness of our affliction. This the Apostle saith not because affliction is light in it self, but because the Lord by the strengthening and comfort of his spirit makes light to us. See Romans 5:2. and chapter 8.37.] which very speedily (passeth) away, [namely, as our life is not long. For after this life all tears are washed from our eyes, Revelation 7:16,17.] worketh us [that is, brings forth, not in any merit, but of mere grace for Christ sake, Romans 8:17,18.] a most excellent eternal weight of glory: [Gr. an eternal weight of glory according to excellency, unto excellency.]
18. While we observe not [Namely, as a mark at which we aim, as the Greek word properly imports] the things which are seen, [that is, worldly honour or dish our, commodities and dis-commodities of this life, which we daily see before our eyes] but the things which are not seen. [namely, by the eyes of the body, i.e. the spiritual and heavenly glory and joy which is promised, and which we believe and hope for, of which he treats more largely in the following chapter. See Hebrews 11:1.] For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.