2 Corinthians 4:1-6
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. – 2 Corinthians 4:5
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In 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, Paul described the glorious ministry that God had entrusted to him—a ministry that brought freedom from sin, new life, true peace, and eternal hope to all who believed the gospel he preached. Through this ministry, the lives of believers were to reflect the goodness of Christ and display His character to the world. What a great and weighty calling it was, entrusted to Paul by the Lord Jesus Himself!
Paul begins this passage by saying, “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” (v.1) Paul never forgot that his ministry was entirely a result of God’s mercy. He remembered clearly his past as a persecutor of Christ. As he wrote elsewhere, “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:9–10) True ministry that flows from God’s grace will not lose heart, no matter the hardship, because God’s grace sustains and empowers.
Paul continues, “We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (v.2) Genuine ministry depends on the holy God, who is without deceit. His true servants do not rely on human cleverness or manipulation, but on His leading and truth. When ministry is done in the flesh, it seeks human approval and self-glory rather than the salvation of souls or the expansion of God’s kingdom.
Paul also acknowledged that not everyone who hears the gospel will believe it: “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” (v.4) “The god of this world” refers to Satan, the enemy of God, who blinds people’s hearts and keeps them in darkness so that they reject the light of the gospel. As the apostle John also wrote, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Those whose minds are blinded cannot produce faith on their own; salvation is entirely by God’s grace. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Preaching the gospel is therefore not a matter of human skill or persuasion—it is a spiritual battle. Only the Holy Spirit can open blinded eyes and turn hearts toward Christ.
Reflection:
When you share the gospel, do you tend to argue and debate, or do you rely on the Holy Spirit to bring light to blinded hearts?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Paul’s example and his heart for the gospel. Thank You for preparing salvation in Christ, that all who believe may be set free from sin and receive new life, true freedom, peace, and eternal hope. Help me to experience the power of the gospel daily and to rely on Your Spirit as I share it with others. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Click to read
In 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, Paul described the glorious ministry that God had entrusted to him—a ministry that brought freedom from sin, new life, true peace, and eternal hope to all who believed the gospel he preached. Through this ministry, the lives of believers were to reflect the goodness of Christ and display His character to the world. What a great and weighty calling it was, entrusted to Paul by the Lord Jesus Himself!
Paul begins this passage by saying, “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” (v.1) Paul never forgot that his ministry was entirely a result of God’s mercy. He remembered clearly his past as a persecutor of Christ. As he wrote elsewhere, “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:9–10) True ministry that flows from God’s grace will not lose heart, no matter the hardship, because God’s grace sustains and empowers.
Paul continues, “We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (v.2) Genuine ministry depends on the holy God, who is without deceit. His true servants do not rely on human cleverness or manipulation, but on His leading and truth. When ministry is done in the flesh, it seeks human approval and self-glory rather than the salvation of souls or the expansion of God’s kingdom.
Paul also acknowledged that not everyone who hears the gospel will believe it: “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” (v.4) “The god of this world” refers to Satan, the enemy of God, who blinds people’s hearts and keeps them in darkness so that they reject the light of the gospel. As the apostle John also wrote, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Those whose minds are blinded cannot produce faith on their own; salvation is entirely by God’s grace. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Preaching the gospel is therefore not a matter of human skill or persuasion—it is a spiritual battle. Only the Holy Spirit can open blinded eyes and turn hearts toward Christ.
Reflection:
When you share the gospel, do you tend to argue and debate, or do you rely on the Holy Spirit to bring light to blinded hearts?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Paul’s example and his heart for the gospel. Thank You for preparing salvation in Christ, that all who believe may be set free from sin and receive new life, true freedom, peace, and eternal hope. Help me to experience the power of the gospel daily and to rely on Your Spirit as I share it with others. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.