II Corinthians 4:16-18: "Temporal vs Eternal"

As Paul has just finished reminding the Corinthians that they will be raised with Jesus it naturally leads him into his praise for God and his eternal perspective. Paul begins, "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day". Because of the wonderful understanding and faith that Paul has in God's plan for those who are His, no temporal earthly trial or suffering can damage his spirits. Because Paul knows that he will be raised with Christ in Heaven, he does not lose heart. It would have been very difficult for someone who has faced the amount of trials, heartache, pain and suffering that Paul had encountered and not lose heart (see II Cor. 11:23-30). However, because Paul had a proper perspective based on God's revealed truth, he was able to be joyful and hopeful in his future. Paul's outer man was decaying, not only the natural process of death, but the overly arduous life that Paul had faced. If Paul had only focused on his temporal state, he would have been overwhelmed with despair, however, Paul focused on the eternal inner man that was being "renewed day by day". MacArthur writes, "In direct correlation to the dying of Paul's outer man was the growth and maturing of his inner man. The inner man is the heart the soul that lives forever. It is in salvation reborn, newly created (2 Cor. 5:17), becoming the new self (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10), constantly being renewed by sanctifying grace". It was because Paul relied on his spiritual strength and condition, rather than his physical that he was able to "not lose heart".

Paul continues to remind the Corinthians to value to the eternal over the temporal as he writes, "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison". We can notice how Paul, although facing death and imprisonment nearly everyday, describes his suffering as momentary and light. What an amazing statement, but because of Paul's mindset in trials, he is able to honestly recognize that in comparison to what is awaiting us in heaven, he can say this with complete confidence. MacArthur writes, "Like Paul, suffering and persecuted believers must view earth through heaven's eyes. When weighed in the balance with believers' eternal reward in heaven, earthly pain amounts to little. Paul expressed the proper perspective on suffering by describing it as momentary, light affliction". We must constantly remind ourselves of Paul's mindset and attitude when we face trials. If anyone had the right to complain and despair it would have been Paul, yet, he chose to focus on the future over the present. How silly do our trials seem in comparison. What is our attitude when we face them?

Not only did Paul recognize his trials as momentary and light, but he understood the eternal value of them. Again, a great mindset to have in trials. He writes that the affliction he faces is "producing for [him] an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison". Paul had learned to appreciate trials for various reasons. 1) He had recognized that in trials he is made weak and Christ is made strong in him (see last section). 2) He understood the more trials and persecution he faced on earth would make his reward in Heaven just that much sweeter. When Paul suffered for Christ he knew that an even greater reward faced him in heaven. It's like a pool. A cold pool in the middle of winter doesn't do much for us, however, in the midst of the heat of summer a cold pool feels that much better. MacArthur writes, "weighed in the balance with the suffering of this life, that weight of glory tips the scales heavily in favor of eternal reward. There is a direct correlation between suffering in this life and glory (capacity to praise and glorify God) in the next". I Peter 4:13 reads, "but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation".

Paul's last call to the Corinthians in this section again leads them to value the eternal over the temporal. He writes, "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen". Here Paul is calling his readers to look not at their current distresses, but reminds them to look to the eternal things. Often we get weighed down by trials in this life because it is a constant reminder of our sinfulness practically working itself out. We get to see, touch, hear experience the trials of this life and they are always before us. The eternal things of God, however, we can only believe through what God has given us in His Word. Therefore it must be our discipline to constantly focus our attention on what God has promised us in the future and strive toward that goal, rather than the temporal. MacArthur points out, "The allurements of the passing world system were of no interest to Paul. He was not interested in amassing a fortune, having a palatial estate, or a prominent career. That attitude made him seem, by worldly standards, a colossal failure . . . Yet he gladly rejected all that to become, as his enemies disdainfully put it, 'a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes'".

Paul again reminds us, "for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal". Another great reminder for us to remember what is important and what are focus should be on.

II Corinthians 4:7-15: "Power of God, Not Ourselves"

Paul continues to defend the new covenant gospel he is preaching and himself against the false brethren. Paul's main thrust in this section will be that the gospel is affective, not because of the power, wisdom, or persuasiveness of the presenter, but because of the power of God. We are but clay pots, or instruments that God uses. Apart from him, Paul recognizes he would be nothing but a salesman, dependant completely on his abilities for success.

Paul begins, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels". The "treasure" Paul is speaking of is the new covenant gospel which has now been revealed. In contrast to the incalculable power and glory of Christ, spoken of in the previous section, Paul is showing that as merely fallen, corrupt humans, we have this wonderful power within us as believers. What an amazing thought to understand and recognize your utter sinfulness in contrast to our perfect and Holy Father, and yet because of the wonderful gospel, we can have this power and forgiveness within us. MacArthur writes, "The vessels Paul describes here were just common pots: cheap, breakable, easily replaceable, and virtually valueless . . . [they] were most frequently used for ignoble, everyday purposes . . . such clay pots had no intrinsic value; their only worth came from the valuables they contained or the service they performed". With this we can understand that Paul was humbly recognizing his role as a worthless vessel, whose only value came from power of God he had within. To the charge from the false apostles disparaging remarks of him, MacArthur writes, "Paul embraced it and turned it into an affirmation of his authenticity.. The apostle acknowledged his human limitation and weaknesses, even describing himself as the 'foremost' of sinners (I Tim. 1:15)". If we understand God, we understand He deserves all the glory. As a believer, our goal should be to humble ourselves and give God all the glory. In God's plan that is why he uses "earthen vessels" to share his gospel and convert lives. This way we know that is was all God working in and through us. It is because of this that Paul writes, "so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of Him".

Paul continues to show how his weakness and frailty further showed his authenticity, and God's empowerment for his ministry. He writes, "we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but no forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed". In human terms this sounds like a pretty horrible and unsuccessful life. But in the paradoxical life of the believer, especially in the times Paul was living in, these were just further proof that he was in fact a child of God. It isn't until we are weak that Christ can be strong in us. Paul wrote in II Cor. 12: 9-10, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong". It is with this understanding that Paul could look at the affliction he had received for Christ's name and not feel crushed. It is only with that understanding that Paul could be perplexed, but not despair. It is only with that understanding he could be persecuted and struck down, but not forsaken or destroyed. MacArthur writes, "Paul's humility and weakness did not cripple or destroy him but instead strengthened him. Paradoxically, he found encouragement in his frailty, because then the power of God flowed unhindered through him".

Reflecting on the previous paradoxes Paul spoke of he writes, "always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus". It was Paul's identification with the death of Christ that led to his persecution and suffering, and this was further authentication of his true apostleship. MacArthur points out, "[The false apostles] argued that Paul suffered because God was chastening him for his secret life of sin. But in reality Paul suffered at the hands of evil men because of his identification with Jesus Christ. Those who hate the Lord persecute His people. Therefore Paul's trials, far from being a sign of God's displeasure, were actually a badge of honor". Interestingly, Paul writes that it is the "carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body". Paul was showing to the Corinthians that when we identify with Christ as our Savior, persecution and suffering will be a part of our lives. It is in fact the very things that the false apostles were trying to use as a way to prove Paul was not a true apostle, that indeed authenticated his ministry. He was suffering just as Christ had suffered. He continues to explain the cost of his apostleship, and the sacrifice of the life of the believer, "for we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh". Matt. 24:9 reads, "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name". The world will hate all true followers of Christ and they will be subjected to persecution and ridicule, just as Christ was. This gave Paul encouragement and hope to wear the scars of his apostleship knowing this further proved his fight for truth. Therefore, what we can take from Paul's words are that the reason believers can be persecuted, afflicted, struck down and not feel defeated or discouraged is because 1) They know they are doing this for Christ's sake, and this is further proof they are a child of his, and 2) Only when they are made weak and lowly can the power of God truly be unleashed in their lives.

Paul continues with the paradoxes, "so death works in us, but life in you". What Paul is referring to here is the death he faced everyday because of the work of the gospel he was spreading throughout the world. Because of the persecution of the church, Paul literally risked his life everyday for the sake of being able to preach the gospel to the Corinthians. He desired to bring them the spiritual life that Christ can bring, but faced the possibility of physical death every time he preached it. You could understand Paul's frustration with the Corinthians even better after hearing from this perspective. He had risked his life and faced many trials and persecution for the sake of the Corinthians to bring them the gospel of Christ, and here they were listening to false apostles blaspheme Paul, and some were giving them ear. Paul's goal, however, was not to blast the Corinthians for their foolishness, but rather to show them the gospel and pray for their salvation.

Although Paul did face death, he writes, "but having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed, therefore I spoke,' we also believe, therefore we also speak". Paul would remain to his convictions regardless of the outcome. He would not do what the false apostles were doing, which would be to water-down, or change the gospel to make it more appealing to human ears. Paul was saying that because he had the same faith and believed in the same thing as the Psalmist who wrote, "I believed, therefore I spoke" (Ps. 116:10), that was why he continued to speak and be bold despite what affliction this might bring him. MacArthur writes, "His unwavering faith compelled him to preach (cf. Rom. 1:15; I Cor. 9:16); it was impossible for him to believe the gospel truth but not long to proclaim it. Those who lack conviction in their preaching do so because they lack conviction in their hearts". Paul then encouraged the Corinthians saying "we also believe, therefore we also speak". This was a nice way of saying, "if you are a follower of Christ you will speak the truth of his new covenant gospel".

Paul could speak boldly and confidently "knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you". This understanding and the conviction Paul had of this was what drove him. Paul knew that this world would be tough the moment he was converted and God told him he would have to suffer for His name. However, he knew this was momentary and light compared to the glory he would attain with Christ one day. Rom. 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us". Paul was confident that God would raise him and the Corinthian believers up one day to be holy and blameless in His sight for those who truly loved Him and followed Him.

Knowing all this about Paul, and his true heart for ministry, the readers could confidently agree with Paul when he wrote, "for all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God". Paul's humility shines forth brightest in this section. He shows his readers that all that he does, all that he sacrifices is done for their sakes. Nothing Paul does is for himself, but rather for the "glory of God". Paul has only God's best interest in mind as he boldly and confidently proclaimed the gospel. In turn, this lead for a care and conviction for the souls of the lost, most specifically those at Corinth. MacArthur concludes, "God's astounding plan is to use common clay pots to carry the priceless treasure of the glorious gospel to needy sinners. As they humbly, faithfully serve Him, His power flows through them to others. The final result is that more and more people will worship and glorify God, crying out, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever' (Rev. 5:13)".

II Corinthians 3:18-4:6: "The Glory of the Lord"

Unlike old testament believers, Paul points out that as new covenant believers, "we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord". Christ is God manifested in the flesh, and with Christ revealed to us in His Word, we get a perfect picture of the Lord. Paul has in mind, the veil that Moses had to wear before the people when he would speak with God. Instead, through God's revelation in His Word get the complete picture of Christ, and through this we recognize and get to fully understand the glory of the Lord.

As believers look to Christ they "are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit". As believers, we must continue to pursue Christ and as the Holy Spirit works in our lives we are constantly being made into the image of Christ. Philippians 3:12-14, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". This is accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit as the believer looks to the face of Christ through His revealed Word.

Paul continues, "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart". The therefore brings us back to the new covenant that we have received, which was previously spoken of in chapter 3. Since Paul has been given the wonderful news of Christ revealed to us and the way of salvation through the mercy of Christ, they should not lose heart. God had revealed mercy to Paul in that despite his persecution of the church, God had divinely saved him, and through this Paul began his ministry of mercy and grace among the Jews and Gentiles. MacArthur writes, "Despite suffering and the savage attacks on him by the false apostles, Paul had not surrendered. His courage came from confident knowledge of the God of glory, whom he had perceived in the face of Jesus Christ".

Paul, remembering the purifying work of Christ in his life writes, "but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness". Paul renounced his former life of shame and craftiness in his own life, for the new purifying work of Christ. This was also an indictment against the false apostles who were accusing him. MacArthur points out, "The hidden because of shame could be the very things they were accusing him of. But in reality it was the false apostles, not Paul, who were guilty of them. It was they who had a secret life of shame and who brought a hidden agenda to Corinth". Paul wanted his readers to be discerning and understand that Paul's new covenant message was the truth, based on God's Word as opposed to the "craftiness" of the false apostles looking to discredit Paul.

As Paul continues to lift up the new covenant in Christ, he extols the virtue of truth, "or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God". Paul was in love with truth. As believers it is vital that we look to the truth and understand the truth. It is easy for someone to manipulate or adulterate the truth to tickle peoples ears. But Paul was not ashamed of the Word of God and spoke it for what it was. There was no trickery or deceit, Paul only spoke, "Christ and Him crucified". Again, this was used as an indictment against the false apostles who had come to corrupt the Corinthians. MacArthur writes, "The same could not be said, however, for the false apostles. They were busy adulterating the Word of God for their own purposes. In 2 Corinthians 2:17 Paul denounced them as being guilty of 'peddling the word of God'. They were con men, cheats, charlatans, and frauds, guilty of the same deception of which they falsely accused Paul". Paul's goal in ministry was manifesting the truth through the Word of God and all that had been revealed to him by God. This would have the effect of awakening the conscience of the sinner to see the truth of the gospel. This was Paul's conviction and he would do ministry no other way.

Paul, desiring the Corinthian believers to understand their privileged estate in knowing the truth writes, "and even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God". Only those who have had the spiritual veil removed by Christ can look upon His glory and accept his sacrifice. Paul recognized that no matter how elegant or persuasive he made his argument it was only the power of God that could change hearts (Rom. 1:16, I Cor. 2:2) In I Cor. 2:4, Paul writes, "My message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power". To the indictment against Paul that his message and method was ineffective, Paul retorted, "Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing". Regardless of what those who didn't agree with Paul's message, it was to their detriment, as they would be lost in their sins. It is God who can open their eyes, not Paul. MacArthur writes, "Fallen, dead in their sins, and spiritually blind, those who reject the gospel message are headed for eternal doom . . . the issue is not contriving nonthreatening church services or developing better marketing skill in pitching the gospel. The issue is that those who reject the gospel message do so because [they love] the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds [are] evil' (John 3:19)". A Christian must believe in Christ, and if he has not believed upon Christ he is dead in his sins. If you are not a child of God's you are His enemy and you are a friend of the world's. If you are a friend of the world's your master is Satan, and Satan has "blinded the minds of the unbelieving. MacArthur points out, "It is that massive and pervasive influence over society by which Satan deludes the unregenerate so that they might not see the light of the gospel. Except in rare cases, Satan and his demons do not directly indwell individuals. They do not need to. Satan has created a system that panders to the depravity of unbelievers and drives them deeper into darkness". Satan's job is not to have people believe in him, rather, it is to make sure that people don't look to Christ. Throughout the ages Satan has successfully kept man's mind focused on himself and blind to the wonderful glory of Christ who provided salvation to all who would believe. God's glory is revealed in Jesus Christ because He is the image of God. Paul's desire was to have his readers understand the wonderful privilege they had in knowing God's glory as it is only revealed to those whom God's mercy had granted the spiritual sight to see.

Paul had been accused of preaching for vain and selfish motives. To this Paul replies, "for we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake". To indict Paul with selfishness was ludicrous. Paul, with disregard for his life had faithfully preached the gospel to the Corinthians many times. Throughout all Paul did and said, never did he bring himself up. He did not preach some watered down human-centric gospel. Rather, he faithfully preached Christ Jesus as Lord. Never promoting himself, Paul had others in mind so they would not stay in their spiritually blind state. It was out of love for others that Paul became a bond-servant for them so they would not die in their sins, but rather, turn to Christ for eternal life.

In the last part of this section Paul extols God's sovereignty in our salvation. He writes, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ". The God who created this world and the light in it, is the same God who illuminated our hearts to believe in Him. It is God's sovereign work in our lives that we must be grateful for. MacArthur writes, "Spiritual darkness envelopes the unredeemed until God shines the light of the gospel in their hearts; He alone can dispel the darkness of sin and ignorance. But at salvation God 'qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us form the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son' (Col. 1:12-13)". We must recognize that it is God in His mercy that he shines the "Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ". Paul has shown us the sovereignty of God, he has shown us we owe our salvation and everything we receive to God.