We have all this treasure in clay jars, a metaphor for our human vulnerability, making it clear that the power belongs to God not us (2 Corinthians 4:7). Indeed, it takes shape in our contradictory experiences of being afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (4:8-9). It becomes clear personally as we give ourselves up to death for Jesus\u2019 sake, dying to the ways of this world that harm both us and others and take on the suffering that comes with receiving God\u2019s mercy and consolation amid forces that contradict it. This is how the life of Jesus becomes embodied in us. This is how death in us becomes life for others (4:10-11).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Paul\u2019s trust and speech amid all this is grounded not in a set of ideas that he can uses to lord over others. Instead, it is based in the one who raised the Lord Jesus, who will not only raise him but also bring him along with the Corinthians into Jesus\u2019 presence. This is why he can say that everything is for their sake \u2014 because grace, as it extends to more and more people, is always about an overflow of thanksgiving, to God\u2019s glory (2 Corinthians 4:12-15).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This lovely, multi-part recitation of 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 by Jeff Norton, Dana Norton, and Linda Moore was presented at the beautiful Crossing campus of Valley Bible Church in Pleasanton, California. As reciters of Scripture, it is fitting that they say \u201cI believed; therefore I have spoken.\u201d Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13-14).<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We have all this treasure in clay jars, a metaphor for our human vulnerability, making it clear that the power belongs to God not us (2 Corinthians 4:7). Indeed, it takes shape in our contradictory experiences of being afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6873,"parent":0,"template":"","books-of-the-bible":[511],"type-of-passage":[464],"topic":[386,377,378,383],"passage-topics":[299,223,296,297,300,298],"language":[51],"yoast_head":"\n