2 Corinthians 4

2 dishonestly. Rather, " shame " : i.e., things which shame would make us hide; " les choses honteuses " (" shameful things “) (French version).

by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves. This my open, straightforward preaching of Christ is another of my letters of commendation, addressed to the universal conscience of man and to the all-seeing God. It is true some cannot read it; but that is because Satan has blinded them.

3 that are lost. " That are perishing.” See on ch. ii. 15.

4 the glorious gospel of Christ. Or, " the gospel the glory of Christ " (R.V.).

6 to give the light. Lit., " to give the illumination." So in ver. 4.

the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. A glory far transcending the brightness on the face of Moses (iii. 13).

7 treasure in earthen vessels. In vers. 8-10, Paul illustrates the meaning of the expression " earthen vessels," and the care which God takes of them, for the sake of " the treasure " which they hold, by describing the experience of himself and his fellow-labourers.

8 troubled . . . yet not distressed. More literally, " pressed . . . yet not in hopeless straits."

9 cast down. " Thrown down," a fall which does not incapacitate for further conflict.

13 the same spirit of faith. That spirit which animated the psalmist when he wrote thus (Psa. cxvi. 10).

15. For all things are for your sakes, etc. " With you," I say (14), for my sufferings are among the " all things " which God has adapted for good to you and to others; in order that His grace, through the larger number of them that receive it, may multiply the expressions of gratitude to His glory. And knowing that our suffering " is working out " all these blessed results, " we faint not " (16).

16 perish. Rather, as R.V., " is decaying," marking the process.

the inward man. The new spiritual life. Every word of these glowing verses helps to make the contrast more vivid.

17 worketh for us a far more exceeding, etc. Rather, as R.V., " worketh for us, more and more exceedingly, an eternal weight of glory." " Weight " in contrast with the " lightness " of affliction.

18 while we look, etc. Describing the state of mind which realises the lightness of the affliction and the weight of glory. This is explanatory also of verse 16.

temporal. Rather, " temporary," lasting only for a time.