2 Corinthians 4

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.^[1] Twice in this chapter (verses 1 and 16) this sentence occurs: "Therefore, we do not lose heart".^[2]

2 Corinthians 4
← chapter 3 chapter 5 →
A folio of Papyrus 46 (written ca. AD 200), containing 2 Corinthians 11:33–12:9. This manuscript contains almost complete parts of the whole Pauline epistles.
Book	Second Epistle to the Corinthians
Category	Pauline epistles
Christian Bible part	New Testament
Order in the Christian part	8

Text

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:

• Papyrus 46 (~AD 200)
• Codex Vaticanus (325–350)
• Codex Sinaiticus (330–360)
• Codex Alexandrinus (400–440; extant verses 1–12)^[3]
• Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (~450)
• Codex Freerianus (~450; extant verses 6–7,16–17)
• Codex Claromontanus (~550)

Old Testament references

• 2 Corinthians 4:13: Psalm 116:10^[4]

We do not lose heart

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]

Verse 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]

• "Handling the word of God deceitfully": or "adulterating the word of God"^[7] from Ancient Greek: δολοῦντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, dolountes ton logon tou Theou, "falsifying the word of God".^[8]

Verse 7

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]

See also

• Jesus Christ
• Related Bible parts: Psalm 116, Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 1, 2 Corinthians 7, 2 Corinthians 12

References

1. MacDonald 2007, p. 1134.
2. Buls, H. H., Buls' Notes on 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, accessed 30 August 2017
3. Aland, Kurt; Aland, Barbara (1995). The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. Erroll F. Rhodes (trans.). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. pp. 107, 109. ISBN 978-0-8028-4098-1.
4. Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 840. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
5. Strong's Concordance 1573: ἐκκακέω
6. 2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV
7. Note [a] on 2 Corinthians 4:2 in NKJV
8. Greek Text Analysis: 2 Corinthians 4:2. Biblehub
9. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
10. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:7
11. 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.
12. 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.

Sources

• 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.

External links

• 2 Corinthians 4 King James Bible - Wikisource
• English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate Archived June 17, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
• Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
• Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)