Bible Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 4:3-18

Today's Bible verse of the day is 2 Corinthians 4:3-18.
Since I've already covered the background of 2 Corinthians, here's the link for that post.

Here are today's verses from BibleGateway.com in the English Standard Version:

 

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Here are some summaries and explanations for these verses:

 
Verse 3 -- If our Gospel, that is, of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection that took place instead of us because of our sins, is hidden to someone, that person is perishing.

Verse 4 -- Continues from verse 3. If that happens, Satan, the god of this world, has hidden the perishing person's mind from seeing the LIGHT of the Gospel of the GLORY of Jesus Christ. Jesus is light because He is the image of God.

Verse 5 -- We proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord. Our proclamation is not about us. We're just His servants.

Verse 6 -- The Person (the Lord God Almighty) who predicted that Light will shine out of darkness is that Light who shines out of darkness . . . through the form of Jesus Christ, His Son.

Verse 7 -- Our treasure (clay jars) proclaims that power belongs to God, NOT us. Verse 5 also talks about this, saying that we have a lowly and important job --- to serve Jesus Christ our King.


Verse 8 -- Although we go through various trials and afflictions, we're not crushed. We realize that our trials are given by God and that we won't be tempted beyond our ability (1 Corinthians 10:13). Using that trial, God is establishing fruit of the Spirit (which is what the Holy Spirit does to help us keep our eyes on Christ.)

Verse 9 -- Paul, the writer of this book, has been persecuted for his faith in God. But he was not forsaken (meaning that he was not hidden from the face of God), because God will never leave us, nor forsake us. Paul also writes by saying that he was struck down, but he was not destroyed. His hope was still steadfast & immovable. Even if someone did try to destroy him, he knew that he'd go to heaven.

Verse 10 -- Paul encourages us to carry the death of Jesus, meaning, to always remember that Jesus died for our sins. And to confess & repent from those sins. (Repent means to turn away and never do again.) By doing this, we also have the life of Jesus (as explained in verse 4 & 6).

Verse 11 -- Explains verse 10.

Verse 12 -- Although death is at work in Paul, life is in work in the Corinthians. So, if you understand me correctly, I am saying that Christians can have both Jesus' death and life!?!? Wow! That's amazing!!

Verse 13 -- In faith, Christians speak what they believe.

Verse 14 -- Continuing from verse 13 ... In faith, Christians speak what they believe because they know that they will be raised with Christ soon.


Verse 15 -- Clearly explains itself. More and more people are being graceful to each other and so now they are being more and more thankful! Since God extended grace to us by allowing us to go to heaven someday! This coming Thanksgiving be sure you give thanks to God for His amazing grace!

Verse 16 -- I love this verse because we know that our outer bodies are decaying. But we aren't depressed because of this. We are joyful through trials because 1) our hope is in Jesus Christ; His death & resurrection; our hope is not in ourselves, & 2) we will go to heaven one day and we will get new bodies!!

Verse 17 -- Our everyday afflictions and trials are so small in comparison to eternity. What's a couple days in comparison to forever and ever? Our trials are preparing us for eternal glory.

Verse 18 -- We longingly look forward to the day when we will see the unseen!

I hope you are encouraged by reading these verses!