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97 lines
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Title = 'The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians';
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<p id="Chapter4" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 4
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<p id="a2Co4_1"><a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,'1-18');">2Cr 4:1-18</a>. HIS PREACHING IS OPEN AND SINCERE, THOUGH TO MANY THE GOSPEL IS HIDDEN.
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<p>For he preaches Christ, not himself: the human vessel is frail that God may have the glory; yet, though frail, faith and the hope of future glory sustain him amidst the decay of the outward man.
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<p><b>1. Therefore</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,17,18);">2Cr 3:17-18</a>).
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<br><br><b>seeing we have this ministry</b>—"The ministration of the Spirit" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,8,9);">2Cr 3:8-9</a>): the ministry of such a spiritual, liberty-giving Gospel: resuming <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,6,8);">2Cr 3:6, 8</a>.
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<br><br><b>received mercy</b>—from God, in having had <i>this ministry</i> conferred on us (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,5);">2Cr 3:5</a>). The sense of "mercy" received from God, makes men active for God (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',1,'11-13');">1Ti 1:11-13</a>).
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<br><br><b>we faint not</b>—in boldness of speech and action, and patience in suffering (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,2, '8-16');">2Cr 4:2, 8-16</a>, etc.).
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<p id="a2Co4_2"><b>2. renounced</b>—literally, "bid farewell to."
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<br><br><b>of dishonesty</b>—rather, "of shame." "I am not <i>ashamed</i> of the Gospel of Christ" (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,16);">Rom 1:16</a>). Shame would lead to <i>hiding</i> (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,3);">2Cr 4:3</a>); whereas "we use great plainness of speech" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,12);">2Cr 3:12</a>); "by <i>manifestation</i> of the truth." Compare <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,3);">2Cr 3:3</a> , "<i>manifestly declared.</i>" He refers to the disingenuous artifices of "many" teachers at Corinth (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',2,17);">2Cr 2:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,1);">3:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',11,'13-15');">11:13-15</a>).
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<br><br><b>handling...deceitfully</b>—so "corrupt" or <i>adulterate</i> "the word of God" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',2,17);">2Cr 2:17</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('1Th',2,3,4);">1Th 2:3-4</a>).
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<br><br><b>commending</b>—recommending ourselves: recurring to <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,1);">2Cr 3:1</a>.
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<br><br><b>to</b>—to the verdict of.
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<br><br><b>every man's conscience</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',5,11);">2Cr 5:11</a>). Not to men's carnal judgment, as those alluded to (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,1);">2Cr 3:1</a>).
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<br><br><b>in the sight of God</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',2,17);">2Cr 2:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gal',1,10);">Gal 1:10</a>).
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<p id="a2Co4_3"><b>3. But if</b>—Yea, even if (as I grant is the case).
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<br><br><b>hid</b>—rather (in reference to <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,'13-18');">2Cr 3:13-18</a>), "veiled." "Hid" (<i>Greek,</i> <a onclick="return mV('Col',3,3);">Col 3:3</a>) is said of that withdrawn from view altogether. "Veiled," of a thing within reach of the eye, but <i>covered</i> over so as not to be seen. So it was in the case of Moses' face.
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<br><br><b>to them</b>—in the case only of them: for <i>in itself</i> the Gospel is quite plain.
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<br><br><b>that are lost</b>—rather, "that are perishing" (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,18);">1Cr 1:18</a>). So the same cloud that was "light" to the people of God, was "darkness" to the Egyptian foes of God (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',14,20);">Exd 14:20</a>).
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<p id="a2Co4_4"><b>4. In whom</b>—Translate, "In whose case."
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<br><br><b>god of this world</b>—The worldly <i>make him their God</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,19);">Phl 3:19</a>). He is, <i>in fact,</i> "the prince of the power of the air, <i>the spirit that ruleth in the children of disobedience</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',2,2);">Eph 2:2</a>).
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<br><br><b>minds</b>—"understandings": "mental perceptions," as in<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,14);">2Cr 3:14</a>.
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<br><br><b>them which believe not</b>—the same as "them that are lost" (or "are perishing"). Compare <a onclick="return mV('2Th',2,'10-12');">2Th 2:10-12</a>. SOUTH quaintly says, "when the malefactor's eyes are covered, he is not far from his execution" (<a onclick="return mV('Est',7,8);">Est 7:8</a>). Those perishing unbelievers are not merely veiled, but blinded (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,14,15);">2Cr 3:14-15</a>): <i>Greek,</i> not "blinded," but "<i>hardened.</i>"
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<br><br><b>light of the glorious gospel of Christ</b>—Translate, "The illumination (<i>enlightening:</i> the <i>propagation</i> from those already enlightened, to others <i>of the light</i>) of the Gospel of the glory of Christ." "The glory of Christ" is not a mere <i>quality</i> (as "glorious" would express) of the Gospel; it is its very <i>essence and subject matter.</i>
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<br><br><b>image of God</b>—implying identity of nature and essence (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,18);">Jhn 1:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,15);">Col 1:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,3);">Hbr 1:3</a>). He who desires to see "the glory of God," may see it "in the face of Jesus Christ" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,6);">2Cr 4:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',6,'14-16');">1Ti 6:14-16</a>). Paul here recurs to <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,18);">2Cr 3:18</a>. Christ is "the image of God," into which "same image" we, looking on it in the mirror of the Gospel, are changed by the Spirit; but this image is not visible to those blinded by Satan [ALFORD].
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<p id="a2Co4_5"><b>5. For</b>—Their blindness is not our fault, as if we had self-seeking aims in our preaching.
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<br><br><b>preach...Christ...the Lord</b>—rather, "Christ <i>as Lord,</i>" and ourselves as your servants, etc. "<i>Lord,</i>" or "<i>Master,</i>" is the correlative term to "servants."
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<p id="a2Co4_6"><b>6. For</b>—proof that we are true servants of Jesus unto you.
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<br><br><b>commanded the light</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "By speaking the word, commanded light" (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,3);">Gen 1:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>hath shined</b>—rather, as <i>Greek,</i> "<i>is He who</i> shined." (It <i>is God</i>) <i>who commanded light,</i> etc., <i>that shined,</i> etc., (<a onclick="return mV('Job',37,15);">Job 37:15</a>): Himself our Light and Sun, as well as the Creator of light (<a onclick="return mV('Mal',4,2);">Mal 4:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,12);">Jhn 8:12</a>). The physical world answers to the spiritual.
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<br><br><b>in our hearts</b>—in themselves dark.
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<br><br><b>to give the light</b>—that is, to propagate <i>to others</i> the light, etc., <i>which is in us</i> (compare <i>Note,</i> see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/2Cr/2Cr004.html#a2Co4_4">2Co 4:4</a>).
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<br><br><b>the glory of God</b>—answering to "the glory of Christ" (see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/2Cr/2Cr004.html#a2Co4_4">2Co 4:4</a>).
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<br><br><b>in the face of Jesus Christ</b>—Some of the oldest manuscripts retain "Jesus." Others omit it. Christ is the manifestation of the glory of God, as His image (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,9);">Jhn 14:9</a>). The allusion is still to the brightness on Moses' "face." The only true and full manifestation of God's brightness and glory is "in the face of Jesus" (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,3);">Hbr 1:3</a>).
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<p id="a2Co4_7"><b>7.</b> "Lest any should say, How then is it that we continue to enjoy <i>such unspeakable glory</i> in a mortal body? Paul replies, this very fact is one of the most marvellous proofs of God's power, that an earthen vessel could bear such splendor and keep <i>such a treasure</i>" [CHRYSOSTOM, <i>Homilies,</i> 8.496, A]. The treasure or "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God." The fragile "earthen vessel" is the <i>body,</i> the "outward man" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,16);">2Cr 4:16</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,10);">2Cr 4:10</a>), liable to afflictions and death. So the light in Gideon's pitchers, the type (<a onclick="return mV('Jdg',7,'16-20',22);">Jdg 7:16-20, 22</a>). The ancients often kept their treasures in jars or vessels of earthenware. "There are earthen vessels which yet may be clean; whereas a golden vessel may be filthy" [BENGEL].
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<br><br><b>that the excellency of the power,</b> etc.—that the <i>power</i> of the ministry (the Holy Spirit), in respect to its surpassing "excellency," exhibited in winning souls (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',2,4);">1Cr 2:4</a>) and in sustaining us ministers, might be ascribed solely to God, we being weak as earthen vessels. God often allows the vessel to be chipped and broken, that the excellency of the treasure contained, and of the power which that treasure has, may be all His (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,10,11);">2Cr 4:10-11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,30);">Jhn 3:30</a>).
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<br><br><b>may be of God...not of us</b>—rather, as <i>Greek,</i> "may be <i>God's</i> (may be seen and be thankfully [<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,15);">2Cr 4:15</a>] acknowledged to <i>belong</i> to God), and not (to come) <i>from</i> us." The power not merely comes <i>from</i> God, but <i>belongs to</i> Him continually, and is to be ascribed to him.
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<p id="a2Co4_8"><b>8.</b> <i>Greek,</i> "BEING hard pressed, yet not inextricably straitened; reduced to inextricable straits" (nominative to "we have," <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,7);">2Cr 4:7</a>).
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<br><br><b>on every side</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "in every respect" (compare <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,10);">2Cr 4:10</a>, "always"; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',7,5);">2Cr 7:5</a>). This verse expresses <i>inward</i> distresses; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,9);">2Cr 4:9</a>, <i>outward</i> distresses (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',7,5);">2Cr 7:5</a>). "<i>Without</i> were fightings; <i>within</i> were fears." The first clause in each member of the series of contrasted participles, implies the <i>earthiness</i> of the <i>vessels;</i> the second clause, <i>the excellency of the power.</i>
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<br><br><b>perplexed, but not in despair</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "<i>not utterly</i> perplexed." As <i>perplexity</i> refers to the future, so "troubled" or "hard pressed" refers to the present.
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<p id="a2Co4_9"><b>9. not forsaken</b>—by God and man. Jesus was forsaken by both; so much do His sufferings exceed those of His people (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',27,46);">Mat 27:46</a>).
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<br><br><b>cast down</b>—or "struck down"; not only "persecuted," that is, <i>chased</i> as a deer or bird (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',26,20);">1Sa 26:20</a>), but actually <i>struck</i> down as with a dart in the chase (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,'35-38');">Hbr 11:35-38</a>). The <i>Greek</i> "always" in this verse means, "throughout the whole time"; in <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,11);">2Cr 4:11</a> the <i>Greek</i> is different, and means, "at every time," "in every case when the occasion occurs."
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<p id="a2Co4_10"><b>10. bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus</b>—that is, having my body exposed to being put to death in the cause of Jesus (the oldest manuscripts omit "the Lord"), and having in it the marks of such sufferings, I thus bear about wheresoever I go, an image of the suffering Saviour in my own person (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,11);">2Cr 4:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,5);">2Cr 1:5</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,31);">1Cr 15:31</a>). Doubtless, Paul was exposed to more dangers than are recorded in Acts (compare <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',7,5);">2Cr 7:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',7,5);">11:26</a>). The <i>Greek</i> for "the dying" is literally, "the being made a <i>corpse,</i>" such Paul regarded his body, yet a corpse which shares in the life-giving power of Christ's resurrection, as it has shared in His dying and death.
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<br><br><b>that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body</b>—rather, "may be." The name "Jesus," by itself is often repeated here as Paul seems, amidst sufferings, peculiarly to have felt its sweetness. In <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,11);">2Cr 4:11</a> the same words occur with the variation, "in our <i>mortal flesh.</i> The fact of a dying, corpse-like body being sustained amidst such trials, manifests that "the (resurrection) life also," as well as the dying, "of Jesus," exerts its power in us. I thus bear about in my own person an image of the risen and <i>living,</i> as well as of the suffering, Saviour. The "our" is added here to "body," though not in the beginning of the verse. "For the body is <i>ours</i> not so much in death, as in life" [BENGEL].
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<p id="a2Co4_11"><b>11. we which live</b>—in the power of Christ's "life" manifested in us, in our whole man body as well as spirit (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,10,11);">Rom 8:10-11</a>; see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/2Cr/2Cr004.html#a2Co4_10">2Co 4:10</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',5,15);">2Cr 5:15</a>). Paul regards his preservation amidst so many exposures to "death," by which Stephen and James were cut off, as a standing miracle (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',11,23);">2Cr 11:23</a>).
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<br><br><b>delivered unto</b>—not by chance; by the ordering of Providence, who shows "the excellency of His power" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,7);">2Cr 4:7</a>), in <i>delivering unto</i> DEATH His living saints, that He may manifest LIFE also in their dying flesh. "Flesh," the very element of decay (not merely their "body"), is by Him made to manifest <i>life.</i>
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<p id="a2Co4_12"><b>12.</b> The "<i>death</i>" of Christ manifested in the continual "perishing of our outward man" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,16);">2Cr 4:16</a>), works peculiarly in us, and is the means of working <i>spiritual</i> "<i>life</i>" in you. The <i>life</i> whereof we witness in our bodily <i>dying,</i> extends beyond ourselves, and is brought by our very dying to you.
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<p id="a2Co4_13"><b>13.</b> Translate as <i>Greek,</i> "BUT having," etc., that is, not withstanding the trials just mentioned, we having, etc.
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<br><br><b>the same spirit of faith, according as it,</b> etc.—Compare <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,15);">Rom 8:15</a>, on the usage of "spirit of faith." The Holy Spirit acting on our spirit. Though "death worketh in us, and life in you" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,12);">2Cr 4:12</a>), yet <i>as we have the same spirit of faith as you,</i> we therefore [believingly] look for the same immortal <i>life</i> as you [ESTIUS], and <i>speak</i> as we believe. ALFORD not so well translates, "The <i>same</i> ...faith <i>with that described</i> in the Scriptures" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',116,10);">Psa 116:10</a>). The balance of the sentence requires the parallelism to be this, "According to that which is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak," namely, without fear, amidst "afflictions" and "deaths" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,17);">2Cr 4:17</a>).
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<p id="a2Co4_14"><b>14. Knowing</b>—by faith (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',5,1);">2Cr 5:1</a>).
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<br><br><b>shall raise up us also</b>—at the resurrection (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',6,13,14);">1Cr 6:13-14</a>).
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<br><br><b>by Jesus</b>—The oldest manuscripts have "<i>with</i> Jesus."
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<br><br><b>present us</b>—vividly picturing the scene before the eyes (<a onclick="return mV('Jud',1,24);">Jude 1:24</a>).
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<br><br><b>with you</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,14);">2Cr 1:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Th',2,19);">1Th 2:19-20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Th',3,13);">3:13</a>).
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<p id="a2Co4_15"><b>15. For</b>—Confirming his assertion "with you" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,14);">2Cr 4:14</a>), and "life ...worketh in you" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,12);">2Cr 4:12</a>).
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<br><br><b>all things</b>—whether the afflictions and labors of us ministers (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,'8-11');">2Cr 4:8-11</a>), or your prosperity (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,12);">2Cr 4:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',3,21,22);">1Cr 3:21-22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',4,'8-13');">4:8-13</a>).
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<br><br><b>for your sakes</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Ti',2,10);">2Ti 2:10</a>).
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<br><br><b>abundant grace,</b> etc.—rather, "That grace (<i>the</i> grace which preserves us in trials and works life in you), being made the greater (multiplied), by means of the greater number (of its recipients), may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God." [CHRYSOSTOM] (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,11);">2Cr 1:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',9,11,12);">9:11-12</a>). The <i>Greek</i> is susceptible also of this translation, "That grace, being made the greater (multiplied) on account of the thanksgiving of the greater number (for grace already received), may abound (abundantly redound) to," etc. Thus the <i>Greek</i> for "abound" has not to be taken in an active sense, but in its ordinary neuter sense, and so the other <i>Greek</i> words. Thanksgiving invites more abundant grace (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('2Ch',20,'19-22');">2Ch 20:19-22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',18,3);">Psa 18:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',50,23);"> 50:23</a>).
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<p id="a2Co4_16"><b>16. we faint not</b>—notwithstanding our sufferings. Resuming <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,1);">2Cr 4:1</a>.
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<br><br><b>outward man</b>—the body, the flesh.
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<br><br><b>perish</b>—"is wearing away"; "is wasted away" by afflictions.
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<br><br><b>inward man</b>—our spiritual and true being, the "life" which even in our mortal bodies (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,11);">2Cr 4:11</a>) "manifests the life of Jesus."
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<br><br><b>is renewed</b>—"is being renewed," namely, with fresh "grace" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,15);">2Cr 4:15</a>), and "faith" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,13);">2Cr 4:13</a>), and hope (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,17,18);">2Cr 4:17-18</a>).
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<p id="a2Co4_17"><b>17. which is but for a moment</b>—"Our PRESENT light (burden of) affliction" (so the <i>Greek;</i> compare <a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,30);">Mat 11:30</a>), [ALFORD]. Compare "<i>now for a season</i>...in heaviness" (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,6);">1Pe 1:6</a>). The contrast, however, between this and the "ETERNAL weight of glory" requires, I think, the translation, "Which is but for <i>the present passing moment.</i>" So WAHL. "The <i>lightness</i> of affliction" (he does not <i>express</i> "burden" after "light"; the <i>Greek</i> is "the light of affliction") contrasts beautifully with the "<i>weight</i> of the glory."
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<br><br><b>worketh</b>—rather, "worketh out."
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<br><br><b>a far more exceeding <i>and</i></b>—rather, "in a surpassing and still more surpassing manner" [ALFORD]; "more and more exceedingly" [ELLICOTT, TRENCH, and others]. <i>Greek,</i> "in excess and to excess." The glory exceeds beyond all measure the affliction.
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<p id="a2Co4_18"><b>18. look not at</b>—as our aim.
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<br><br><b>things...seen</b>—"earthly things" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,19);">Phl 3:19</a>). We mind not the things seen, whether affliction or refreshment come, so as to be seduced by the latter, or deterred by the former [CHRYSOSTOM].
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<br><br><b>things...not seen</b>—not "the invisible things" of <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,20);">Rom 1:20</a>, but the things which, though not seen now, shall be so hereafter.
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<br><br><b>temporal</b>—rather, "for a time"; in contrast to eternal. <i>English Version</i> uses "temporal" for <i>temporary.</i> The <i>Greek</i> is rightly translated in the similar passage, "the pleasures of sin <i>for a season.</i>"
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