Introduction

Despite all the problems of this life, believers have a bright future.

Verses
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,
4in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
5For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
6seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.
8We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;
9pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
10always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.
12So then death works in us, but life in you.
13But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak;
14knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
17For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,
18while we don’t look 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.

Questions

1. What has God shone in our hearts?

v 6 seeing it is God ... who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2. What was it that Paul knew that made him believe and speak?

v 13 and 14  But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak; knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.

3. Why does Paul encourage us to look at things which are not seen?

v 18 while we don’t look 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.

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 6  God’s plan through Jesus Christ is lost on those who look only at what this world offers
  • v 7 to 12 Paul’s body is frail, and he has many enemies, but despite this he can show forth the message of life in the Lord Jesus
  • v 13 to 15 Paul’s faith in the resurrection impells him to preach this hope to others
  • v 16 to 18 Paul views his mortal frailty and hardships as temporary and insignificant compared with the eternal glory to come

Timeline AD 60

Audio