Bible Reading2 Corinthians 4:1-18 “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 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. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 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. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 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. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 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, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 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. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 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.”
[32:22]2 Corinthians 3:7-18 “Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
[35:56]Romans 7:7-13 “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.”
[37:00]Psalm 116:10 “I believed, even when I spoke: ‘I am greatly afflicted’;”
[57:42]Observation questions- In 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, what kinds of methods and behaviors does Paul say he has renounced, and what does he say he refuses to do with God’s word? [43:13]
- In 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, what different images of sight and light show up in the passage: veil, blindness, light, glory, image, face, and hearts? What do those details seem to emphasize?
- In 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, what contrasts does Paul use to describe the believer’s weakness and God’s sustaining power? [53:02]
- According to 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, what truths keep Paul from losing heart, and what future hope does he keep pointing to? [59:26]
Interpretation questions- Paul says the old covenant exposed sin, while the new covenant removes the veil and brings freedom. Why is that connection important for understanding the word “therefore” at the start of 2 Corinthians 4? [38:43]
- Paul refuses to tamper with the gospel. What are some ways people might still “dilute” the gospel today, even while using Christian words? [43:37]
- The gospel is the light that reveals the glory of Christ, and godly living helps that light become visible. How should that shape the way a church thinks about both truth-telling and everyday conduct? [48:53]
- Paul says believers are jars of clay so that the surpassing power clearly belongs to God. How does that challenge the idea that usefulness in ministry depends mainly on personality, polish, or strength? [51:11]
Application questions- Paul says, “we do not lose heart.” Where is there a real temptation right now to grow quiet, discouraged, or cautious about openly belonging to Jesus? What would steady faith look like in that exact place? [39:21]
- The gospel must not be diluted. Is there any part of the message—sin, repentance, lordship, suffering, or resurrection—that is easy to leave out in ordinary conversations? Why does that part feel hardest to say? [01:01:47]
- Godly living does not replace speaking about Christ, but it does make the direction of the gospel easier to see. In what relationship or setting does daily conduct need to become clearer, more consistent, or more visibly centered on Jesus? [49:06]
- God places treasure in jars of clay. Where does weakness, limitation, exhaustion, or lack of confidence most tempt a person to think, “I’m not useful”? How does this passage push back on that instinct? [51:50]
- Paul describes suffering that carries the death of Jesus and also reveals the life of Jesus. What kind of suffering in this season feels especially hard to interpret? How could that suffering become a place where Christ’s life is seen rather than hidden? [56:13]
- Paul believes, and therefore he speaks. Who is one person this week that could be prayed for, encouraged, or spoken to more plainly about Christ? What usually gets in the way? [57:42]
- Light and momentary affliction only makes sense in comparison to eternal glory. What seen and temporary thing has been dominating attention lately? What would it look like to deliberately set the mind again on what is unseen and eternal? [59:57]
