2 Corinthians 4:17

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1-99

2Co 4 THE NEW COVENANT ministry entrusted to the Apostle Paul is unfolded to us in chapter 3. As we open chapter 4, our thoughts are directed to the things that characterized him as the minister of it. And first of all he was marked by good courage. Since God had entrusted him with the ministry, He gave with it suitable mercy. So, whatever the opposition or difficulty he did not faint. The same thing holds good for us. The Lord never calls us to ministry of any kind without the needed mercy... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

How the apostle rose above every handicap: v. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe and therefore speak, v. 14. knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. v. 15. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. v. 16. For which cause we faint not; but... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

IX.—THE WORTHLESS AND FEEBLE APPEARANCE OF MINISTERS. CONFIDENCE IN VIEW OF THE GLORIOUS RESULT OF THEIR AFFLICTIONS2 Corinthians 4:7 to 2 Corinthians 5:107But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency [exceeding greatness] 8of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side [In every way we are hard pressed], yet not distressed [inextricably straitened]; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

the Inward Life Triumphant over Affliction 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 Few men have been more conscious of their weakness than was the Apostle. The earthen vessel had become very cracked and scratched, but the heavenly treasure was unimpaired, as in the case of Gideon, when the pitcher was broken the lantern shone out. Paul here confesses that he was troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down, always bearing the scars of Jesus, and being perpetually delivered over to death. But he gratefully... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Continuing about the ministry, the apostle said, "We faint not," "we have renounced the hidden things of shame," "we preach . . . Christ Jesus as Lord." Hearing, some perish because "the god of this world hath blinded their minds," and that because of "unbelief." The god of this world is able only to blind the minds of the unbelieving. This ministry, so full of triumph for such remarkable reasons, is yet exercised through great tribulation. The treasure is in earthen vessels, and these are... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

AN ESTIMATE OF SUFFERING‘Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17-Job : The key to this passage, with its triumphant confidence, lies in the words ‘while we look.’ It was the Apostle’s gaze upward and onward which put the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:12-18

Consideration of the Consequences of the Difference In the Two Covenants (2 Corinthians 4:12-18 ) Having been described as earthen vessels, the practical application of this is now made. As earthen vessels which bear the message of the Glory of Christ they can expect nothing but trouble from the god of this world, for he who drove Jesus to His death will surely seek to drive them to the same destination eternally. But again he will fail for behind them is the One Who raises the dead, the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

‘For this reason we faint not. But though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ And it is because of his concern for the welfare of their spiritual lives, and, we could... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

2 Corinthians 4:7-Job : . It is true that the splendid character of this ministry is for the present obscured by the earthly and physical conditions under which it is discharged. Paul is conscious that this disability is specially marked in his case. His opponents had probably good reason for saying “ his bodily presence is weak” ( 2 Corinthians 10:10, 1 Corinthians 15:8 *). 2 Corinthians 10 f. refers frequently to “ infirmities,” and specially to the “ thorn in the flesh” ( 2 Corinthians... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 4:17

The apostle in these words wonderfully lesseneth his own, and the rest of the apostles’, and all other Christians’ sufferings for the gospel: he calleth them light, not that they were so in themselves, but with respect to that weight of glory which he mentioneth in the latter part of the verse: he calleth them momentary, but for a moment, with reference to that eternity which is mentioned. The afflictions are light, the glory will be a weight; the afflictions are but for a moment, the glory... read more

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