2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Chapter 4
Trust in God
However, we carry this treasure in jars of clay so that this all-surpassing power may not be attributed to us, but to God.We face all kinds of trials, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair,
persecuted, but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed.
At any moment, we carry in our bodies the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in us.
For we, the living, are continually given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal existence.
So death is at work in us, but life in you.
We have received the same spirit of faith mentioned in Scripture, which states: I believed and so I spoke. We also believe, and so we speak.
We know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and bring us with you into his presence.
Finally, everything is for your good so that grace will come more abundantly upon you, and there will be greater thanksgiving for the glory of God.
Commentaries
Trust in God.
We reach the central part of the letter. Up to this point, Paul has defended himself against his critics. Now he describes his ‘ideal’ of the mission of an apostle of Christ. He speaks openly, shaped by many years of missionary work. He believes that “a crucified man” is the best messenger of the Crucified One. But just as Christ’s death brought life to him and to everyone else, so the suffering of the Apostle brings life to the community: death in us and life in you (12). With this hope, the Apostle faces his hardships with joy and confidence, concluding that “he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us up with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence” (14).