2 Corinthians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) in Macedonia in 55–56 CE. Twice in this chapter (verses 1 and 16) this sentence occurs: "Therefore, we do not lose heart".[2]
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The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 18 verses.
Textual witnesses
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:
The Greek οὐκ ἐγκακοῦμεν (ouk enkakoumen) is a Pauline phrase used twice in this chapter, derived from the verb ἐκκακέω (ekkakeó), meaning "to faint".[5] The word is used in three of the other Pauline epistles, and in one other New Testament text: "the example outside the Pauline corpus is found at Luke 18:8. Jesus spoke a parable concerning the constant necessity of prayer and [teaching] that the Christians should not grow weary of prayer".[2]
- But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.[6]
- But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.[9]
- "Treasure in earthen vessels": The Gospel, as a "treasure" because "it contains rich truths", is placed in "earthen vessels," i.e. "ministers of the word."[10][11] It alludes either to the "earth", where hidden treasures are to be dug, or to "pots and vessels made of earth", or to "earthen pitchers", formerly to carry lights or lamps (cf. Judges 7:16: three hundred men of Gideon took empty pitchers and placed lamps within the pitchers); the latter may represent the Gospel as a "glorious light, shining in darkness" (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 4:6).[10] The Greek word ostrakinoiu signifies "shells of fishes" which Philo the Jew compare the human body.[12] This reference may point to pearls, which are found in shells, particularly in oysters, expressing the "frail mortal bodies of the ministers of the Gospel" (comparable to the brittle shells) as they work under persecutions, for Gospel's sake (cf. Jeremiah 32:14).[10]
Note [a] on 2 Corinthians 4:2 in NKJV Jewish scholars also think likewise, for examples, R. Eleazar says (T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 52. 2.): "a disciple of a wise man like, ... at first ... like to a golden cup; when he has conversed with him, he is like to a silver cup; and when he has received any profit by him, he is like "an earthen cup", which, when broken, cannot be repaired again. Also, "the law is not confirmed but by him, who makes himself 'as an earthen vessel'" (Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 4. 2.) apud Gill, John. On 2 Corinthians 4:7.
De Joseph. p. 536. apud Gill, John. On 2 Corinthians 4:7. Quote: I am (says he) very little concerned for this mortal body which is about me, and cleaves to me (ostreou diken), "like the shell of a fish"; though it is hurt by everyone.
- MacDonald, Margaret (2007). "66. 2 Corinthians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1134–1151. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
