2 Corinthians 4
The apostles renounce dishonest and deceitful methods, instead commending themselves to others through the manifestation of truth. The gospel is hidden to those who are perishing, as the god of this age has blinded their minds, but the apostles preach about Jesus Christ, not themselves. They endure tribulation and persecution, yet remain hopeful, knowing that their suffering allows the life of Jesus to be manifested in their bodies. Their ultimate goal is to abound to the glory of God, focusing on eternal, unseen things rather than temporal, seen things.
Therefore, since we have this ministry, and in as much as we have obtained mercy for ourselves, we are not inadequateFor we renounce dishonorable and hidden acts, not walking by craftiness, nor by adulterating the Word of God. Instead, by the manifestation of truth, we commend ourselves to the conscience of each man before GodBut if our Gospel is in some way hidden, it is hidden to those who are perishingAs for them, the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, would not shine in themFor we are not preaching about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ our Lord. We are merely your servants through JesusFor God, who told the light to shine out of darkness, has shined a light into our hearts, to illuminate the knowledge of the splendor of God, in the person of Christ JesusBut we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, so that what is sublime may be of the power of God, and not of usIn all things, we endure tribulation, yet we are not in anguish. We are constrained, yet we are not destituteWe suffer persecution, yet we have not been abandoned. We are thrown down, yet we do not perishWe ever carry around the mortification of Jesus in our bodies, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodiesFor we who live are ever handed over unto death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal fleshTherefore, death is at work in us, and life is at work in youBut we have the same Spirit of faith. And just as it is written, "I believed, and for that reason I spoke," so we also believe, and for that reason, we also speakFor we know that the One who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and will place us with youThus, all is for you, so that grace, abounding through many in thanksgiving, may abound to the glory of GodFor this reason, we are not insufficient. But it is as though our outer man is corrupted, while our inner man is renewed from day to dayFor though our tribulation is, at the present time, brief and light, it accomplishes in us the weight of a sublime eternal glory, beyond measureAnd we are contemplating, not the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporal, whereas the things that are not seen are eternal
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