Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 4:1-6”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 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. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 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.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
The Apostle Paul had “received mercy” (verse 1) from God so he extended it to others. He wrote in 1 Timothy 1:12-14: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” Paul always felt indebted to God and his fellowman because of the love, grace and mercy extended to him by the Lord. God continued to strengthen him by His mercy and grace as he carried out the “ministry” that had been entrusted to him.
“We have renounced the hidden things because of shame” (verse 2). To “renounce” something is to disown it, refuse it, deny it. And not just to refrain from do something, but to speak out boldly against it. Paul had such conviction and esteem for the Truth, that he willingly, vehemently and vocally renounced all religious error, and the deceitfulness and craftiness of anyone who tried to make merchandise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:17). Do you take a visible and vocal stand for the Truth? Is there anything in your life that you hide from the world because of shame?
“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:20-23)
“Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (verse 3). People who refuse to believe and obey the truth are spiritually lost and eternally damned. We don’t like to think about that too much because it makes us uncomfortable. The truth can be painful but it must be embraced or we will never find the motivation to teach “Christ Jesus as Lord” to lost people. Paul calls Satan, “the god of this world” in verse 4. 1 John 5:19 tells us, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” All who refuse to love God and obey the Gospel are under Satan’s influence. There is no middle ground or third option. We are either all in with the devil or all in with God.
I CHOOSE GOD!!!
Please read 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 for tomorrow.
Please consider worshiping God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
